Long Beach 'best' community for music education

For the fifth consecutive year, the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation recognized the Long Beach School District as one of the best communities for music education. This honor was awarded to 388 school districts nationwide, only 39 of which are located in New York State.

The BCME designation acknowledges collaborative, from-the-ground-up efforts of teachers, administrators, students and parents who continuously work to keep comprehensive music education an integral part of the core curriculum. In order to be eligible for the recognition, districts were required to provide details in the areas of funding, staffing, commitment to standards and access to music instruction.

More than 1,600 students participate in the Long Beach School District’s 36 bands, orchestras and choral ensembles. A number of musical achievements have been earned in the Comprehensive Arts Department. In this school year alone, five students were selected as All-State musicians, seven were selected to perform in the Long Island String Festival Association concerts and 57 were named All-County musicians.

The middle school chorus performed alongside professional musicians in a concert at NYCB Theatre in Westbury, and the high school symphonic choir was featured at Carnegie Hall. The high school’s marching band participates annually in the Newsday Marching Band Festival at Hofstra University.

The high school offers students the chance to hone and strengthen their skills through a number of opportunities, including unique courses such as guitar and IB Music. The Tri-M Music Honor Society provides an outlet for dedicated and talented student-musicians to take their involvement a step further. School groups also perform throughout the community and participated in the Jazz Festival this past fall.