For the tenth time, and ninth straight year, Stillwater Public Schools has been named as a Best Community for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. The NAMM Foundation is a philanthropic arm of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). It supports initiatives that promote and expand music-making opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. The award recognizes and celebrates the outstanding efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education a priority as a part of a well-rounded education. Districts selected for this award have demonstrated a consistent and exceptionally high commitment to making music education accessible for all students.
Stillwater Public Schools Director of Bands, Kevin Zamborsky, conducts the SHS Wind Ensemble during their Holiday Concert earlier this school year at the SHS Performing Arts Center.
Stillwater is one of just four school districts in the state of Oklahoma to be honored, and the only district with such a long legacy of receiving the designation. Less than a thousand school districts in the United States achieve this distinction.
“I am immensely proud to work in a district that shows great support for the arts, and want to thank our administration for keeping music education a priority for the district,” said Kevin Zamborsky, Director of Bands for Stillwater Public Schools. “To my fellow music educators in the district, thank you for all your efforts in helping our students learn, grow, and achieve at such a high level! Finally, to the students and parents involved in the performing arts, thank you for investing your time and energy into our programs.”
The Performing Arts Department recently completed their collaborative production of “The Addams Family,” as well as several spring concerts. Over the course of the school year, well over 20,000 patrons have attended performances in the Performing Arts Center, with more than 10,000 also streaming performances from as far away as New Zealand. The Band, Orchestra, and Choir programs were recently named academic state champions, as well as receiving high marks at all competitions they perform in.
SHS senior Kyan Reeves performs at a the recent Spring Choir Concert at the SHS Performing Arts Center.
“It's wonderful to see this continuing recognition of our community’s shared belief that music and the arts are essential to a well-rounded education,” said Director of Secondary Education Ashley Moore. “ Music education doesn’t just enrich students’ lives. It enhances brain development, supports academic achievement, and builds skills that last a lifetime. We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for their dedication and excellence, and grateful to our families, community members, and local organizations who continue to support these programs year after year.”
