Superintendent Patrick Adkins, and student musicians performing for the Port Clinton School District, celebrate receiving the national designation of Best Communities for Music Education from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for the third year in a row.

For the third year in a row, the Port Clinton School District has received a Best Communities for Music Education Award from the National Association of Music Merchants. Port Clinton has been recognized for being among the “Best Communities” in the nation for music education.

According to the NAMM Foundation, “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. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.”

Even during a most challenging year in 2020, the Port Clinton School District kept the music playing with streaming concerts and a drive-through Holiday Breakfast with the Arts. Recently, the first in-person performance was held with a limited number of people in the audience.

Music education is immersed in the Port Clinton School District curriculum, starting in kindergarten and continuing through Grade 12. It has been successful due to sequencing at each level by faculty members having ownership of their roles.

The elementary music teachers are the “fire starters,” who peak interest and teach the foundations of music to prepare students 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.

This award could not have been possible without the supportive Port Clinton community and the school district looks forward to when they can safely open their doors and resume student performances with unlimited audiences. In the meantime, streaming opportunities have been made available.

The Port Clinton City School District is very proud of their music educators Kathy Miller, Toby Farrell, Jennifer Barringer, Rod Miller, Adam Murray, Bruno Bush, and proud of the Port Clinton community for making the award possible. See more about the Port Clinton City School District music programs at www.pccsd.net.

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 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 visit www.nammfoundation.org.