Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Best Communities for Music Education Award by the NAMM Foundation. The district is one of 975 school districts nationally to be recognized.

According to NAMM, the schools and communities recognized with the award demonstrate a commitment to ensuring music learning opportunities are available for every student and provide an example for other communities to follow.

“We are honored and beyond excited about being selected to receive the NAMM 2024 Best Communities for Music Education Award,” Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts Dr. Katherine Sinsabaugh said. “This award highlights all the amazing work our music teachers do in our schools with our students. It acknowledges how our teachers spread the love of music in our community, and it’s also reflective of our whole community’s support of our fine and performing arts programing.”

Now in its 25th year, the designation is awarded to school districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. According to the organization, the award program recognizes the collective efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have been instrumental in making music part of a well-rounded education for every child.

Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. To qualify for the designation, the district submitted an application that included information about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the music program and community music-making programs. The program applauded the district for its unwavering commitment to creating an environment where each child can participate in quality, robust music making.

Date Added: 4/5/2024

Sixteen students from the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District have been selected to perform with All-County music ensembles by the Westchester County School Music Association for its 2024 festival concerts in March.

“Being selected to perform in Westchester’s All-County Music Festivals is a momentous musical honor,” Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts Dr. Katherine Sinsabaugh said. “Students go through a rigorous selection process. Our students competed against the best music students in Westchester County. We are very proud of our students and their hard work.”

John F. Kennedy Elementary School fifth graders Valentina Tiu and Sarah Salcedo, Thomas Edison Elementary School fifth graders Michael Calle and Gabriella Diaz, King Street Elementary School fifth graders Emma Weinstein and LJ Sherwood, Park Avenue Elementary School fifth graders Ethan Horwitz and Jacob Perez, and Port Chester Middle School sixth graders Olivia Klauck and Isabella Sanchez, seventh grader Scarlet Virella and eighth graders Melquisedec Gonzalez and Annalise Gouedy have been selected to perform with the All-County choir.

Port Chester Middle School eighth graders Laila Builes and Ryann Onofrio-Franceschini have been selected to perform with the Intermediate All-County band, and Port Chester High School junior Camilo Mamani has been selected to perform with the All-County Jazz band.

The All-County Band concert will take place on Saturday, March 9, at 5 p.m. at New Rochelle High School. The All-County Chorus concert will take place on Sunday, March 10, at 1 p.m. at New Rochelle High School. The All-County Jazz concert will take place on Friday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Hammocks Middle School.

Date Added: 2/20/2024