Originally published on April 26, 2018.

Liz Evans, Nederland.

NMSHS has been honored with the SupportMusic Merit Award from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education of the fifth year in a row.

The SupportMusic Merit Award recognizes individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

To qualify for the SupportMusic Merit Award, NMSHS Director, Elizabeth Evans answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“Music, theater and the arts are an integral part of NMSHS and the Nederland community. The Music Department at NMSHS has been an awarding winning superior department with dedicated teachers and talented students.

This award recognizes that NMSHS is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation guides policy implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing - while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.

Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. A series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University found a link between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. In another study from the University, it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood.

Beyond the Northwestern research, other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings, creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations, as well as learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel.

A 2015 study supported by The NAMM Foundation, “Striking A Chord,” also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum.

Nederland Middle/ Senior High School is a small neighborhood secondary school tucked into the mountains of Boulder County. Steps away from Eldora Ski Area and endless open spaces, we offer a wide array of support and advanced course work. With a small student to teacher ratio, personalized education is our foundation. Our high school students can chose between two foreign languages and progress to level 3 and above, while also choosing between Advanced /AP level work in math, science, language arts and social studies. In addition, we offer an award winning theater program and a 6-12 choir program that travels our state and sells out our auditorium night after night. Other co-curriculum activities range from our mountain biking program, ski team, football and basketball to wearable electronics and 3-D printer design build clubs. Students are supported via academic support classes, teamed instruction and before/after school tutoring in our media center. Our teachers “ASPIRE” (Academic through Sustainable, Project-based, Interdisciplinary, Real world and Experiential lessons) tactics and our students thrive via our school motto, “REACH.” This motto serves to guide our interactions and build a purposeful learning community via: Respect, Empathy, Achievement, Community and Honor.

About The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs.

For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.