Newark High School

For the 12th consecutive year, the Newark Central School District has been designated as one the Best Communities for Music Education in the United States by the NAMM Foundation (National Association of Music Merchants).

Now in its 25th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

“We are so pleased to again be recognized for the amazing music program that we have here in the Newark School District,” said Kelley School instrumental music teacher Cindy Briggs, who is also the UPK-12 Music Department Leader. “Thank you to the NCSD Administration for their ongoing, faithful continued support of Music in our schools!”

The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education.  Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. 

It also recognizes the NCSD is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation guides 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. 

Palmyra-Macedon Central School District in Wayne County also received the designation, as did the Honeoye Central School District and Honeoye Falls-Lima Central in Ontario County.

Nine Monroe County school districts _ Brighton Central, East Irondequoit Central, Churchville-Chili Central, Penfield Central, Pittsford Central,  Rochester City School District, Rush-Henrietta, Webster Central and West Irondequoit _ also received NAMM’s BCME designation.

Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music.

Briggs commended the entire music department staff for its great work. The staff and their responsibilities include:

• Robert Humphrey: NHS instrumental music teacher who directs Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and “Fusion.” He also gives instrumental lessons.

• Kate Flock:  NHS vocal music teacher who directs Mixed Chorus, Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz. She gives grades 9-12 vocal lessons and is the musical director for the NHS musicals. 

• Mike Ciranni:  NHS television production teacher who also teaches Music In Our Lives, Audio Production and directs “Fusion” with Humphrey and teaches guitar classes.         

• Rebekah Valerio: NMS instrumental music teacher who directs sixth, seventh and eighth grade band and jazz band and gives instrumental lessons.

• Melissa Viscusi : NMS Vocal Music teacher who directs sixth, seventh and eighth grade chorus and teaches grades 6-8 general music.

• Cindy Briggs: Kelley School instrumental music teacher who directs Beginning Band, Continuing Band, Bucket Brigade and gives instrumental lessons.

• Lara Larsson: Lincoln School and Newark Middle School general music teacher.

• Ethan Bast: Kelley School vocal music teacher who directs third, fourth and fifth grade chorus

and teaches grades 3-5 general music.   

• Duvante Cora: Perkins School general music teacher.

In addition to music instruction provided daily by the NCSD music staff and many music performances throughout a typical school year, there are numerous other music-related activities the NCSD Music Department is connected with. Here are just a few of them.

• Homecoming

• Memorial Day Ceremony

• Veteran’s Day Ceremony

• Veteran’s Tribute Concert At Newark High School    

• Eastview Mall holiday performances

• Participation in junior and senior high-level ensembles at the Hochstein School of Music in downtown Rochester.

• The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday performance each December

• The ELENBE awards for the Performing Arts that are presented in May

• Community parades

• The Newark High School & Newark Middle School musicals each Spring

• The Lincoln School Second Grade Holiday Performance

• Cabaret Night and jazz performances

• Newark students participating in the RPO Holiday Pops Festival Chorus

• Representation in All-County, Area All-State, Conference All-State and local and state-sponsored solo festivals

Superintendent Susan Hasenauer was pleased to announce at the April 10th Board of Education meeting that the Newark Central School District had received NAMM’s Best Communities for Music Education designation for the 12th consecutive year and commended the department for continuing to do an "outstanding job."

Furthermore, in speaking with her afterward, she shared that when meeting with student groups, the music program and its teachers are continuously named by them as one of their “significant connections to our school and where they feel the greatest sense of belonging.”

“Hence, it’s not just the music that makes them great, it’s the entire experience music teachers provide to our students each and every day.”