The Peoria Unified School District has received the Best Communities for Music Education Award for the second consecutive year, an honor presented by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation that recognizes districts for outstanding achievements in providing music access and education.
Peoriatimes.com reported the information, noting that Director of Arts Education Stacy Hamilton said the award validates the work of the district’s teachers and staff. According to Hamilton, roughly 1,008 districts nationally received the honor this year, with six from Arizona.
Every campus from elementary through high school features music programming. Hamilton said kindergarten through fourth-grade students access general music classes offering instrument experimentation, vocal techniques and ensemble experiences. Fifth- through eighth-graders become eligible for band and choir, with some schools offering beginning strings. Students can also choose electives including ukulele, guitar, steel drums, bucket drumming, musical theater and digital music. High schoolers access similar programs plus advanced placement music theory.
Hamilton said the district treats music as an academic discipline aligned with state standards. She credited highly-qualified educators, dedicated professional development and community partners including the city of Peoria, Ballet Arizona and parents for sustaining the curriculum. The district hopes to expand opportunities connecting music skills to arts industry careers.
For more information, visit peoriatimes.com.