Best Communities for Music Education
Application Period: October 1-January 31, 2020
What is the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) program?
The NAMM Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) is a signature program of The NAMM Foundation that recognizes and celebrates school districts and schools for their support and commitment to music education and efforts to assure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education.
The survey was developed in partnership with the Music Research Institue at the University of Kansas. Survey questions are aligned with goals for equity and access to music education for all students, and also with national standards for music education. This survey seeks to support communities everywhere that are working to assure music education opportunities for all students.
Application Deadline
Survey opens: October 2019
Survey closes: January 31, 2020
Why Participate
- National Recognition
- Community Recognition and community pride
- Increased Visibility of music education in your district, school, and community
- Program Validation of your school or district's support for music education
- Program Auditing tool for auditing your music program
Required Information For Survey
The following information is required. Please confirm you have access to the following data.
- Student demographics
- Teacher/student ratio
- Music education participation rates
- Music education and/or fine arts requirements for graduation or as required by the curriculum
- Knowledge of music education elective
- Teacher qualifications
- Standards for assessing music education
- Music facilities
- Budget
We encourage you to review the survey PDF and collect the necessary data before submitting your online application.
FAQs
What is the difference between the Best Communities for Music Education and the SupportMusic Merit award?
The BCME award is for a district to be acknowledged that serves students across grade levels and multiple schools.
The SupportMusic Merit (SMMA) award is for an individual school to be acknowledged. It is a “school-only” distinction and can be a charter, private and parochial school seeking the designation.
Can I win both the BCME and the SMMA designation?
No, there is no advantage to completing both the BCME and SMMA survey. You must apply on behalf of your school or district. If your school is part of a district, we suggest you work with the district to be considered for a BCME award. If you represent an individual school, please complete the SMMA application.
Will multiple applications for my district or school be considered?
No. Only the first application per district or school will be considered so please coordinate with the other administrators. We strongly encourage you to work together to complete this survey.
What are the criteria for selection?
The survey gauges funding, participation, opportunity, standards, community, facilities and other factors that affect access to comprehensive music education.
How long does it take to complete the survey?
Due to detailed questions, participants should allow approximately 30-45 minutes.
Who should complete the survey?
A qualified district representative should complete the survey due to the very specific information requested. A district administrator should gather and complete the survey on behalf of the district or school or should work in partnership with the music educator or fine arts supervisor.
Application Deadline
Survey opens: October 2019
Survey closes: January 31, 2020
2019 Promotional Toolkit
Spread the news! We encourage you to share this national recognition as widely as possible with your local media — in print, broadcast and online stories. To help you with media outreach, to raise the visibility of your music education program and to celebrate this important award from The NAMM Foundation, we are providing a promotional toolkit. The kit includes PR instructions, templates of press materials and downloadable logos, a certificate, a poster, a banner, and social media assets.
Media Impressions
National recognition spreads the good news of music education with over 1,400 news stories shared annually on social media! Be part of the #musiced movement and apply for a BCME designation beginning Oct. 1, 2019.
Download 2019 Toolkit Assets (17.8 MB)Questions?
Contact The NAMM Foundation at info@nammfoundation.org.