In Northbrook District 28, every K-5 student receives 60 minutes of music education a week, there are four levels of band, five levels of orchestra, a children’s choir, several middle school choral groups, musical productions for every 5th grade, and a annual spring musical at the junior high school.
According to a news release, the District receives continuous recognition from the NAMM Foundation with the Best Communities for Music Education.
District 28 is one of 32 districts in Illinois, and 850 schools and/or districts in the state, to receive this award in 2024 for its outstanding efforts to provide access to music education for all students, the release said. It is the eighth time the District has received recognition from the NAMM Foundation.
“I am grateful to be a part of a team of music educators that continually strive to provide the best music education for our kids,” said Band Director Greg Scapillato, who completed the survey application for the award. “I am also deeply grateful for the leadership and support from our administration and our Board of Education. I am continually humbled by the dedication and support of our parents, and the amazing achievements of our students.”
According to the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation, researchers have found that after two years of music education, participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers, the release said. Students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school but also to attend college.
“I am very proud for our district to receive this award as an ongoing celebration of the community’s commitment to music education. Congratulations to all the music educators for their hard work and dedication,” Superintendent Jason Pearson said.
