Byram Hills has been honored with the “Best Communities for Music Education” designation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Byram Hills is one of seven Westchester County school districts – and just 476 districts nationwide – to receive the prestigious designation from the NAMM Foundation. The district’s excellent music program spans all four district schools and includes instruction that builds as students grow. Students can begin studying one of 10 instruments in the fourth grade. By the time they reach the high school, students can participate in a variety of choral, band and orchestra groups and continue their music education with courses that range from introductory guitar to Advanced Placement Music Theory. Byram Hills students have been chosen for All-County, All-State and National Music Honor ensembles.
“Although I am new in my position, it didn’t take long for me to see just how special our music program is at Byram Hills,” said Director of Fine Arts Deepak Marwah. “We have a dedicated music faculty of passionate educators, and the work they do in the classroom inspires high levels of musicianship and creativity in our students each day.”
The Best Communities Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in their music program, including providing all students with access to music education. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Byram Hills provided NAMM with information about district funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community-music-making programs.
The NAMM Foundation, which began as the National Association of Music Merchants, is an international association representing the music products industry and championing the intrinsic value of music education.
