SCSD #2’s Music Education Program Receives National Recognition

Sheridan County School District #2 has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

According to a SCSD#2 press release on April 12, 2022, the NAMM is now in its 23rd year, and the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Sheridan County School District #2 answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“Our district’s music program has grown from decades of true dedication and collaboration between music educators, students, parents, and the entire community,” shared SCSD2 assistant superintendent Mitch Craft. “Sheridan loves kids and the Arts, and these two passions have come together in a world class music program spanning from grades K-12. While many other states have cut funding for music programs, ours continue to shine and improve. The community will continue to reap the benefits far into the future.”

“I’ve had a chance to look behind the scenes over the years and see what makes our programs tick,” said Craft. “We have top quality educators who build relationships with their students and do whatever it takes to ensure quality and growth. We have a student culture where musicians are truly dedicated, putting in extra time to achieve excellence. And we have supportive parents who understand the commitment necessary to foster quality young musicians.”

Since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015 and a stated emphasis on a well-rounded education, many school districts have re-committed to music and arts education programs. During the pandemic, music and arts programs were a vital component to keeping students engaged in school.

Sheridan High School senior musician Bryce Allen feels that attending school in SCSD2 has had a positive impact on his life, due to his studies in music at all levels of his education. “Music education in the Sheridan community has changed my life for the better, and will continue to inspire and push me in the direction I wish to go in the future. [Participating in music] has given me mentors who have not only taught me so many life lessons, but have helped me achieve my goal, like being and All-State musician and a viola teacher for younger students.”

Allen participates in the SHS Baroque Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Spring Musical, and is completing an internship at SJHS under the leadership of orchestra director Ryan Walker. Allen plans to attend the University of Wyoming in the fall to study Music Education.

Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music: After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well. Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound: young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention the social benefits, including conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.

SCSD2 offers comprehensive music education opportunities for all students K-12. General music, piano instruction, beginning orchestra, and after school performance ensembles are available for student-musicians in the elementary schools. Band, Orchestra, and Choir are offered for 6-12 students, as well as introductory guitar and piano courses. SCSD2 is well known throughout the state for the outstanding performance of its music students in auditions, solo opportunities, and concert and community performances alike.

About The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.