Mission, Texas- For the fourth year in a row, the Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) music program has received the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) for its outstanding commitment to music education.
“Our Fine Arts Department has been expanding upon our opportunities for students in all our grade levels because we understand how a strong music program can complement and enrich our academic efforts,” said Dr. Carol G. Perez, Superintendent. “It is very gratifying to see their continued effort receive this award once again.”
This honor is bestowed upon school districts that have exemplified achievement in efforts to provide all students music access and education. In order to qualify for this designation, Mission CISD had to answer detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the music programs. All responses are then verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“It is absolutely fantastic that our music program has been selected for The National Association of Music Merchants award and it only solidifies the work we are doing every day with our students,” said Mr. Carlos Garcia, Mission CISD Fine Arts Director. “To be the recipient of this prestigious award for four years only indicates that our efforts in finding new and innovative ways to provide our students educational opportunities in music and arts is definitely working.”
Research indicates that music education continues to demonstrate that educational/cognitive and social skills are of benefit to children who make music. After two years of music education, it found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers. It also showed that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well.
A 2015 study supported by The NAMM Foundation, “Striking A Chord,” also outlines that teachers and parents want music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum. They believe that music and arts education is extremely important and that all children should have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument as early as elementary school.
For more information on the program, please contact the Fine Arts Department at (956)323-8044.
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