Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District Honored for Excellence in Music Education for Seventh Year Running

The Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District (RCS) has received the Best Communities for Music Education award from The NAMM Foundation for the seventh year in a row. This award is given to districts that show strong commitment to music education for all students. RCS was selected based on detailed information about their music program, including funding, graduation requirements, student participation, instruction time, facilities, and community involvement.

School officials verified the responses, and The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas assessed them. Michelle McLoughlin, HS Choral Director and K-12 Arts Curriculum Specialist, thanked the students, teachers, families, and the RCS community for their support of the music department.

Studies show that music education has educational, cognitive, and social benefits. One study found that students who studied music for two years had better speech processing and reading scores than their peers who didn't study music. Students who study music are also more likely to graduate high school and go to college.

Music education also improves everyday listening skills, which are important for understanding speech in noisy environments, paying attention, and remembering sounds. People who took music lessons as children have better sound processing, even if they don't play an instrument anymore.

Music education also teaches important social skills like conflict resolution, teamwork, and giving and receiving constructive criticism. The award given to RCS highlights the value of music education in developing well-rounded individuals.

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