OutlinesForResponsestoBestCommunitiesforMusicEducationSurvey.

2016

Systemfortrackingstudentperformancethroughoutschool
Studentsdevelopdigitalportfolios.Inadditiontotheseportfolios,teachersworktogetheratvarious
pointsthroughouttheschoolyeartodiscussstudentprogress.Conversationsfocusonwhatbothareas
ofsuccess,needsforimprovementandopportunitiesforstudentawards.

InterdisciplinaryActivities:
LifeSkillsSpecialEducation:Studentsinthisclassareselfcontainedandparticipateinamusictherapy
typeofcoursewherestudentslearnlanguageandspeechskillsthroughmusic;includingsentence
structure,functionsofnouns/verbsandparticipateinamusicalmadlibstypeofactivity.

ElementaryMusicClassroomMusicteachersregularlycollaboratewithPhysicalEducationteachersto
explorevariousculturesthroughFolkDancing.

HighSchoolVocalMusicOurvocalmusicdepartmentisincorporatingvisualartsandhistoryintoits
yearofstudy.Musicstudentswillbecreatingworksofartandstudyinghistoricalperiodsthatlineup
withtheliteraturethatisbeingperformedthroughoutthecourseoftheschoolyear.

1GiventheCurrentFinancialClimate,pleasedescribehowmusicisfaringinyourdistrict:

IntheMineolaSchoolDistrict,musicisthriving,thankslargelyinparttotheBCMErecognitionwehave
receivedfromNAMMoverthepastsevenyears.ItisexcitingtoreportthatourSchoolDistrictandBoard
ofEducationisverygraciouslysupporttheartsprogramanddoingeverythingtheycantohelpustonot
onlymaintain,buttoexpandprogramsandprovidestudentswiththetoolstheyneedinordertobe
successful.Afewexamplesoffinancialcommitmentsthedistricthasmadeinthe20152016schoolyear
include:IncreasingtechnologyinMusicEducationbypurchasingSmartMusicSubscriptionsforevery
studentinourMiddleSchool(455students),somusiccanbeafullpartnerinour1:1iPadinitiative;The
commitmenttopurchasingnewinstrumentsandothermusicequipmentupgrades;wehavepurchaseda
newGrandPiano,anuprightpianoand3digitalpianos,wehavepurchasedover$15,000worthofstage
lightingforourdramaprograms;ourMiddleSchoolAuditoriumhasbeenrenovatedwithnewseatsand
upgradedlighting.ThereareafewotherimportantfinancialconsiderationsthattheBCMErecognition
hasbeenabletohelp,andthosewillbeoutlinedinthecommunityquestionintheconclusion.These
arebutafewexamplesofwaysinwhichthemusicdepartmenthasbeenthriving.

1Pleaseincludeanyadditionalinformationrelatedtoyourdistrictmusicprogramsorinstructorsthat
hasnotalreadybeencoveredinthepreviousquestions.

TheMineolaSchooldistrict,onLongIslandisfortunatetobesituatedamidstacommunityofstaunch
advocatesforthearts.Weareamediumsmallschooldistrictwithjustover2,800studentsingradesk
12,andweofferamusicprogramthatiscomparabletomuchlargerschools.Ourteachersarepassionate
musicprofessionalswhoenjoysharingtheirloveofmusicwithourstudents.Duringtheschooldaywe
offermultiplesectionsofclassroommusic,Band,Orchestra,Chorus,MusicalTheater,MusicTheoryI,AP
MusicTheoryandDance.OurDistrictAdministratorinchargeofmasterschedulingregularlystatesthat
musiccoursesareinsuchdemand,wedonotconsiderthemtobeelectives.Ourteachersspendmany
hoursafterschoolworkingwithstudentsinacadreofactivities.Ingrades58studentsavailthemselves
toJazzBand,ChamberOrchestra,AfterSchoolVocalPop/JazzGroup,DramaClub.IntheHighSchool
studentsparticipateintwoJazzBands,PepBand,CompetitiveMarchingBand,ACappellaGroup,Vocal
JazzGroup,ChamberOrchestra,PitOrchestra,CompetitiveIndoorWinterGuard,twomusical
productionsandonedramaticproduction.Asidefromthesesanctionedschoolactivitiesstudents
createevenmoreopportunitiesforthemselvestoparticipateinmusicbycreatingstudentrunconcerts
withregularity.Ourinstructorscontinuetobenefitfromprofessionaldevelopmentspecifictothefieldof
music.Asaresultoftheirgrowth,ourteacherscontinuetoberecognizedfortheirstrengthsandare
askedtobepresentersatregionalconferences.Thedepartmentsupervisorisveryactiveinregional
conferenceplanningandwithcountyandstateprofessionalorganizations.

TheCommunitycomestosupportourstudentsinalloftheseactivities.BoardofEducationmembers,
CentralOfficeAdministration,andBuildingadministratorsarehappytoattendourconcerts,andwehave
many.Thecommunityhasenjoyedthemusicdepartmentofferingsandisalwaysaskingformore.During
thispastsummerwe,again,expandedoursummermusicprogramtoincludemoreteachers,andmore
courseofferingsstudentscomeforuptosixhoursadayfor20days,addingadramaandvocal
componenttoourpreviousinstrumentalonlyprogram.Thispastsummerwehad120students
participate.

Musicisalargedriverofourschooldistrict.ThroughoutthecountyandLongIslandIoftenhearpeople
remarkabouthowpowerfulthemusicprogramisinourschooldistrict.Ourcommunityatlargebelieves
inwhatmusiccandoforstudents.ThereisunwaveringsupportfromourBoardandadministration.We
areasmallschool,butarestillabletoprovidemanyopportunitiestostudents.

Inthemusicdepartmentourteachersrecognizeandappreciatethesupportgiventousbythe
community,andreciprocatebygoingouttoperformasoftenaspossiblethroughoutthecommunity.Our
groupsplayandsingatthelocalhospitalfundraisers,civicorganizationmeetings,andmanyvillage
events.

2Pleasedescribehowyourcommunitysupportsyourdistrictsmusiceducationprogram

Ourcommunitycanmosteasilybeviewedasconsistingoffourmaincomponentsthedistrict,the
residents,thebusinesses,andoutsidemusicalorganizations.

TheDistrict:Showssupportforitsmusicprograms.It'sapparenttoanyonewholooksatourwebsite
theFineandPerformingArtspageofthesiteisalivewithpictures,slideshows,andvideoshighlighting
manyoftheactivitiesthatthestudentsareinvolvedin.Districtandbuildingadministration,Boardof
Educationmembers,andmanynonmusicteachersattendafterschool,evening,andweekendeventsin
whichmusicstudentsparticipate.Whetheritsamusicalproduction,aMarchingBandCompetitionona
frigidSaturdaynight,oraninschoolChamberMusicconcertwheretheproceedsaredonatedtoalocal
charity,theleadersofthedistrictturnouttocheerthestudentsonandtoshowthattheyunderstandthe
importanceofwhatthekidsaredoing.Thestudentsregularlyreceivelettersandemailsfromthedistrict
leaders,andtheyareoftencongratulatedontheSuperintendentsBlog.Asforthebudget,theprogram
receivessupport.Thedistrictleadersdotheirbesttosupportnewinitiativesandmakepositive
adjustmentsintheallocationofmusicdepartmentfunds.Inotherwords,theartshave,tothispoint,not
beenthefirsttogo.

TheResidents:lovethisprogramandactivelysupportit.TheMusicParentsAssociationisoneofthe
largestandmostactiveparentgroupsinthedistrict.Inadditiontothefinancialassistancethatthey
providethroughcontributionstotripsandannualgiftstothedepartment,theyareintegralpartnersin
manyofouractivities.Threeexamplesofthisare:
TheirworkwiththeHighSchoolMarchingBand,wheretheyassistwithsizing,adjustingand
distributinguniforms,andwheretheyalsoworkatpractices,shows,andcompetitionsbymoving
percussionandvisualequipmentonandoffthefieldpriortoandaftereachperformance.They
alsohostamarchingbandcompetitioneveryOctoberandawinterguardcompetitionevery
 Februarythateachinvolvetheentirecommunityandthrilloverathousandspectatorsevery
year.
Theirassistancewiththeconcertsandmusicalproductionsattheelementary,middleschool,and
highschools,wheretheyhelpbuildandpaintsetsandbackdrops,makeandfitcostumes,apply
makeup,sellrefreshments,anddowhatevertheycantohelptheplaydirectorsandstaffs.
Inadditiontotheparents,manyresidentswhodonothavechildrencurrentlyenrolledinthedistrictalso
turnoutinlargenumbersforevents.Theylovetheconcerts,andboththeyoungsterandsenior
crowdsadorethemusicalproductions.OneofthehighlightsoftheyearistheannualSeniortoSenior
DayatMineolaHighSchool.Seniorcitizensspendthedayenjoyingactivitieswithstudents,including
studentperformances,andconcludeswithafullproductionofourHSSpringMusical.Thesmilesontheir
facesastheyseetheseyoungpeopleentertainthemarewonderful.Thepreschoolchildrenarealso
welcomedwithopenarms.AttheSaturdaymatineeperformance,theyhavephotostakenwiththecast
andreceivethem,alongwithgiftsaftertheshow.ChildrenhavemetAnnieandhavedressedupin
theircowboysdudsforOklahoma!Whilewecouldapproachthisasafundraiser,wedontthereisno
chargetothefamilies.Thisisdoneasasmalltokenofappreciationfortheirsupportandtohelpgetthe
youngstersexcitedaboutbecominginvolved.Audiencemembershavebeenknowntostickaroundafter
playstogetautographsfromthestarsoftheshow!

TheBusinessCommunity,whichincludestheMineolaChamberofCommerce,supportstheirschool
musicprogrambypublicizingevents;allowingposterstobehungintheirwindows;buyingadsin
programsandmakingothercontributionstoplays,concerts,andotherevents;includingdistrict
performanceensemblesintheireventssuchastheChamberofCommerceFamilyFunDaythatsheld
everySeptember;andincludingarticlesandpicturesfromthemusicdepartmentinpracticallyeveryissue
oftheweeklylocalnewspaper.Therearemanyarticlesandpublishedphotosofourstudentsandoftheir
accomplishments!

OutsideMusicalOrganizationsarelocatedinandnearthedistrict.Mineolaisthehomebasefortwo
semiprofessionalensemblestheNassauPopsSymphonyOrchestraandtheMineolaChoralSociety,and
manyoftheensemblesmembersareourresidentsandstudents.Theorchestragivesfreeconcertsevery
summerinparksthroughoutMineolaandLongIslandandperformsbenefitconcertsthroughouttheyear
forcharitiessuchasCerebralPalsy.TheChoralSocietyperformsmajorchoralworksandlightpieces
regularlythroughoutthecommunityandisonceagainfeaturingandhighlightingstudents.Recentlythe
choirsjoinedthecommunityandlocalchurchandtemplechoirsingivingaperformancetoraisemoney
forthelocalhomelesspopulation,andthestudentshavebeenactivelyraisingmoneyforHurricaneSandy
victims.Studentbands,orchestras,andchoirs,suchastheNassauSuffolkHonorsBandandJazzBand,
theMetropolitanYouthOrchestraProgram,andtheLongIslandChoralSociety,givestudentswiththe
desiretofurthertheircrafttheopportunitytogrowandlearnandtogainadditionalperformance
opportunitiesatvenuessuchasCarnegieHallandLincolnCenter.ManyMineolastudentsarealso
acceptedintohonorsgroupssuchastheNassauMusicEducatorsAssociation(whosepastpresidents
includeaMineolamusicteacher!)AllCountyBands,Orchestras,Choirs,andJazzEnsembles,theNew
YorkStateSchoolMusicAssociationAllStateMusicalEnsembles,theNationalAssociationforMusic
EducationAllEasternMusicalEnsembles,andtheLongIslandStringFestivalAssociationOrchestras.

DonationsNotcoincidentally,aswehavebeenrecognizedasaBestCommunityforMusicEducation,
wehaveseendonationstoourmusicprogramrise.Overthepast2yearswehavereceivedover$34,000
indonationsandgrantsfromresidents,parentorganizationsandprivatefoundations.

3Asaspokespersonforyourdistrictsprograms,whatuniquelyqualifiesittobedesignatedaBest
CommunityforMusicEducation.

WhatmakesMineolatrulyspecialisthatthevariouscomponentsofthecommunityallworktogetherto
helpthedistrictprograms,includingthemusicprogram,tonotonlysucceed,buttoexcel.Thereisan
overallfeelingthatminimumrequirementsarenoteevenapartofourconversation;itisimportanttoall
membersofourschoolcommunitythatwegopasttheminimumandprovidethemostpossibleforour
students.IfthesurveywaslookingfortheBestDistricts,Mineolawouldcertainlydeserveconsideration
andwouldbecompetingwithplacesthathaveconsiderablymorefinancialresourcestoworkwith.Far
fromdwellingonwhatitmaynothave,theentireMineolacommunitycelebrateswhatitdoeshave
Ithasfamilies,teachers,administrators,andcommunitymemberswhopackintoauditoriums,
allpurposerooms,footballfields,andothervenuestowatchandlistentotheirchildren
perform.
Ithasteacherswhoseactionsshowthattheyarepassionateaboutwhattheydo.Theyare
activelyinvolvedincountyandstatewideprofessionalmusiceducationassociations,andpresent
atregionalandstateconferences.
Ithasparentswhowilltaketimeofffromworktoattenddaytimeevents.
Ithasschoolanddistrictadministratorswhoknowthekidsnamesandwhomakesurethatthey
feelsafe,valued,andcaredfor.
Ithasmusicteacherswhodowhateverittakestobringthemusicaltalentoutofeverystudent.
Ithasavillageboardthatgivesfinancialsupporttoasemiprofessionalsymphonyorchestra(the
NassauPops.)
Ithasalocalnewspaperthatsingsthepraisesofthemanyaccomplishmentsmadebyour
students.
IthasBoardofEducationmemberswhodemonstratetheirunderstandingthatmusicisan
importantpartoftheoveralleducationbyhavingbeenactivemembersoftheMusicParents
AssociationandbyhavingchildrenwhohaveregularlyparticipatedintheMineolamusic
program.
Ithasaccesstoconcertsandothermusicaleventspracticallyeverydayoftheyear.
Ithasadministrationmemberswhoarentafraidtoshowtheirappreciationtotheteachersand
kidsandwhoareknowntowritecongratulationslettersthatareprintedasLetterstothe
Editorinthelocalpapersandonthedistrictwebsite.
Ithaskidswhoworkhard,takeprideinwhattheydo,andcareforandsupporteachother.

Tosumup,speakingonbehalfoftheteachers,administrators,parents,familymembers,community
members,businessowners,andofcoursestudentsitisapleasuretosharemystrongbelievethat
MineolaisoneoftheBestCommunitiesforMusicEducation.TheBoardofEducationandDistrict
Administrationwereveryexcitedwhenwereceivedthisdistinctioninthepast,andthedesignation
receiveditsownfullpageintheDistrictCalendarthatismailedtoeveryresidenthomeinthedistrict.
Beingchosenhashadamajorimpactinhelpingtomaintainandfurtherstrengthenourprograms.Ascuts
inallareashavebecomeanunfortunatereality,thevalueandimportanceofreceivingthishonorcannot
beoverstated.Wepostitandannouncethehonorateverydistrictmusicandtheaterevent,andalways
getalargeamountofapplauseandappreciation.ThankyouverymuchforonceagaingivingMineola
yourseriousconsideration.