WCHS Receives National Recognition For Music Education
Press Release
WARSAW — Warsaw Community High School has been honored with the SupportMusic Merit Award from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
The SupportMusic Merit Award recognizes individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
To qualify for the SupportMusic Merit Award, WCHS answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities and support for the music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
This award recognizes that WCHS is leading the way with learning opportunities by emphasizing music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children. 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 substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers.
Students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college. Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically-trained children than in those without music training. Social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills and how to give and receive constructive criticism.
“Our music department has worked diligently for many years to make sure our students have the best musical experiences possible,” said Terry Roe, WCHS assistant principal. “This goal has been consistently maintained even through changes in the instructional staff. The students have always performed at high levels of excellence and have been a great representation of Warsaw Community High School.”