Fulton Named One of the Best Places to Live for Music Education

Once again, Fulton County has been recognized as one of the best places to live for music education, thanks to the Fulton County School System’s top quality music programs, according to a recent press release.

As one of only two systems in the country to have been recognized each Fulton County Schools – have been recognized each of the 14 years the annual, national survey has been given. The “Best Communities for Music Education” list represents an annual snapshot of music education at its best and is based on a nationwide survey conducted earlier this year by the NAMM Foundation, a not-for-profit, international association that represents the musical instruments and products industry.

Fulton County Schools’ music programs, under the direction of Fine Arts Coordinator Jessica Booth, have continually garnered attention on the local and national stage. Earlier this year, Alpharetta High School, Chattahoochee High School and Johns Creek High School each performed at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Their selection is noteworthy since performers are selected by blind audition – meaning that the evaluators do not know the identity, state or school system of the auditioning orchestra.

In addition, this year Roswell High School and Northview High School have both performed at the Georgia Music Educators Association’s annual conference and Tri-Cities High School performed at the WorldStrides Heritage Inaugural Music Festival held during the 2013 Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. The invitation to perform at these events is bestowed to schools with exemplary music programs.

"These achievements are just a few examples of why Fulton County is continually named among the Best Communities for Music Education," said Superintendent Robert Avossa. "We are proud to have music programs that showcase the immense talent of our students and staff and that are heavily supported by the community."

The Best Communities designation recognizes collaborative, from-the-ground-up efforts of teachers, administrators, students and parents who continually work to keep comprehensive music education as an integral part of the core curriculum. The program requires schools and districts to detail funding, staffing, commitment to standards, and access to music instruction. This year, nearly 2,000 schools and school districts participated in the survey, resulting in 307 school districts across the country being designated as one of the Best Communities for Music Education.