Solanco School District was recently recognized by the NAMM Foundation with the 2024 Best Communities for Music Education Award. The distinction was given to 975 school districts across the nation that have placed a special focus on musical enrichment programs through the combined efforts of teachers, administrators, students and parents. This is the third consecutive year Solanco School District has been recognized by the NAMM Foundation for its active music education community.

"We are very fortunate to have a wonderfully gifted, dedicated and highly skilled music faculty across the school district," said Scott Weyman, director of bands and orchestra at Solanco High School and the chair of its music department. "Our staff work collaboratively as a district-wide team to provide meaningful, engaging and highly impactful musical experiences in every setting, from the classroom to the concert stage to the football field or the parade route - and everywhere in between."

According to the NAMM Foundation's website, the goal of the Best Communities for Music Education Award is to recognize and celebrate schools for their commitment to music education as part of a well-rounded curriculum. In addition to Solanco School District's committed educators, Weyman said he attributes the music department's success to administrators and community members who recognize the importance of music at every grade level. "Every qualified research study that you can find attests to the simple fact that actively participating in choral and instrumental music provides a number of tangible benefits," Weyman added.

In April, Weyman accompanied several Solanco students to the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Festival in Erie. The festival gave the students an opportunity to perform and hear ensembles from schools across the state, and attending music teachers participated in various workshops and seminars. The educators' activities covered topics such as new instrument and equipment innovations, various methods of teaching and career planning. This year's trip to the festival was particularly special for Weyman; the group of students included his son Sawyer, who is a senior at Solanco High School. Sawyer was selected as a member of the All-State Chorus, which performed at the Warner Theater in downtown Erie.

"In my experience, the impact of a high-quality school music program on a community is a tangible thing that you can feel, see and certainly hear across the entire community," said Weyman.

Solanco School District will close out its 2024 program with the Solanco Music Awards Night. The event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, in the cafeteria of the high school, located at 585 Solanco Road, Quarryville.

For more information, visit http://www.solancosd.org.