Bataan Memorial Intermediate music teacher Toby Farrell, and Superintendent Patrick Adkins along with a Third Grade music class, celebrate the Port Clinton School District receiving the national designation of Best Communities for Music Education from the NAMM Foundation for the fourth year in a row.

For the fourth year in a row, Port Clinton has received a Best Communities for Music Education Award from the National Association of Music Merchants.

The Port Clinton School District has been recognized as one of the school districts that are among the Best Communities in the nation for music education, according to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM).

“The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education,” said a NAMM spokesman. “Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.”

The Port Clinton School District is committed to fine arts education and extremely proud of its music programs. Even with restrictions due to the pandemic, Port Clinton kept the music playing last year and is pleased to welcome back audiences to its Performing Arts Center. Music education is immersed in the Port Clinton School District curriculum starting in kindergarten through Grade 12.

Program success is due to sequencing at each level by each faculty member having ownership of their role. The elementary music teachers are the “fire starters” to peak interest and teach music foundations of music to prepare for Middle School.  In Middle School, students select instruments and faculty prepares them for high school music classes.

Bell Choir and Show Choir start at the elementary level. Port Clinton is the only school district in Ottawa County to offer all three music programs: Band, choir and orchestra.

Port Clinton School officials credit their music educators for receiving the award, including Kathy Miller, Toby Farrell, Jennifer Barringer, Rod Miller, Adam Murray, Bruno Bush — the Port Clinton community for making this award possible.