Thursday, March 15, 2007

MTLSD Music Program A Big Hit

In tune to the importance of music education, the Mt. Lebanon and Quaker Valley school districts were named among the Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America for 2007 in a national survey.

Thousands of teachers, school and district administrators, school board members, parents and community leaders representing communities in all 50 states participated in an Internet-based survey sponsored by the NAMM Foundation, its American Music Conference and a partnership of national associations working to promote the benefits of active participation in music and music education.

The Mt. Lebanon community strongly supports arts in the schools and that was a key factor in its recognition in the Best 100 said Mariann Fox, the district's supervisor of fine arts.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/today/s_497520.html

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4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

nice to see not everyone's slashing arts education in favor of test prep. nice going, lebo!

March 16, 2007 1:36 PM  
Blogger Casey West said...

Kate, I don't understand what you mean. Could you please elaborate and explain?

I graduated from a top ranking local musical program, Kiski Area High School. Unfortunately that music program has seen rapid decline in the past five years. I was encouraged by this news because my children will be entering the Mt. Lebanon school district this coming school year.

I'd be very interested in understanding your comment, Kate, because music education is important to my family.

Thanks!

March 17, 2007 3:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Casey - I think Kate means that Mt. Lebanon is not succumbing to the pressure to slash its arts/music programs in favor of extra prepping for standardized preps.

The art and music programs remain strong in this community. The music program, in particular, is wonderful and you'll find it is a somewhat sacrosanct institution here. All 3 of my children have benefited from district supplied instruction. My H.S. kids played in orchestra and band until 8th grade. One has continued to play guitar. My elementary student started with a string instrument and now plays percussion, which I hope will continue through high school.

You'll be satisfied. Welcome!
Anonymous Mom of 3

March 17, 2007 9:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry Casey -- anonymous had me right. When school budgets come down to the crunch there's a lot of pressure these days to cut art and music education. I've seen it in the Pittsburgh Public Schools and it's just nice to see an example of a district bucking the trend and realizing how important the arts are to education.

March 19, 2007 11:10 PM  

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