The Music Department was the recipient of the Best Communities for Music Education award from the National Association of Music Merchants.
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — For the fifth year in a row, the Hillsborough Township Public Schools has been distinguished as one of the "Best Communities for Music Education" by The NAMM Foundation.
This prestigious designation places Hillsborough in an exclusive category, as only 11.7 percent of school districts in New Jersey and a mere 7 percent nationwide achieve this honor.
Now in its 26th year, the award celebrates school districts nationwide that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive and high-quality music education to all students.
The Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) award recognizes districts, while the SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA) honors individual school sites. Together, these awards highlight the dedication of K-12 schools and districts across the United States to fostering robust music programs.
This year, more than 1,000 districts and individual schools, spanning public, private, charter, and parochial institutions, have been acknowledged for their exceptional commitment to music education.
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"This remarkable achievement for the fifth consecutive year underscores the deep value our community and the Board of Education place on music education," said Mike Volpe, Superintendent of Hillsborough Township Public Schools. "We firmly believe that music is an integral part of a well-rounded education, fostering creativity, discipline, and teamwork that benefits our students both academically and personally. This recognition validates the hard work and dedication of our talented music educators and the unwavering support of our families and community."
Chris Ireland, Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts for Hillsborough Township Public Schools, added, "We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition once again. Our dedicated team of music educators works tirelessly to create engaging and enriching musical experiences for every student, from elementary school through high school. This award not only celebrates their commitment but also inspires us to continue to grow and innovate our music programs, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to discover their musical potential."
Ireland also commented, “The extremely high level of dedication to our district and and students is exemplified by two of our retiring educators, Jules Haran and Barbara Szabo, who have worked in Hillsborough for 25 and 30 years respectively. Their career-long focus on student excellence in music and personal growth has directly contributed to the strength of our music department.”
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Hillsborough Township Public Schools provided detailed information regarding funding for music programs, music graduation requirements, student participation rates in music classes, instructional time dedicated to music, the quality of music facilities, community support for music initiatives, and the availability of community music-making programs.
The district's responses were meticulously verified by school officials and rigorously reviewed by WolfBrown, a leading arts education research firm.
This year's recognition gains even greater significance when considering the recent outstanding achievements of the district's various music groups. Hillsborough High School's vocal ensembles demonstrated exceptional talent at the prestigious Titan Tournament of Choirs in Midlothian, Virginia.
The Legacy show choir, competing in a more challenging division, secured an impressive 4th Place in the Medium Mixed Division and 7th Place Overall. Adding to this success, the Hillsborough High School Mixed Chorale achieved remarkable distinction, earning accolades for Best Male Soloist for Milaap Gupta, Best Repertoire, and Best Vocal Quality. Their performance culminated in a well-deserved 1st Place in the Chamber Division and the esteemed title of OVERALL GRAND CHAMPION of the tournament. These accomplishments underscore the exceptional talent and dedication fostered within the district's music programs.
Further highlighting the district's musical prowess, The Pride of Hillsborough Raider Marching Band were recognized as the 2024 Group V Open State Champions by USBands. Their exceptional performance was further acknowledged with caption awards for best music, best visuals, best overall effect, best percussion, and best guard.
Beyond these group achievements, numerous students in band, choir, and orchestra successfully auditioned for coveted seats in a variety of region, all-state, and all-eastern ensembles, showcasing the individual talent nurtured within the schools. The high school orchestra also earned a silver rating at the CJMEA Orchestra Festival, demonstrating their dedication to musical excellence.
The musical achievements extend to the middle school level, where the Hillsborough Middle School jazz band delivered a notable performance at the Steinert High School Jazz Festival. Their talent was further recognized with awards for best overall soloist, best musician, and best trombone section.
Additionally, selected students from Auten Road Intermediate School had the honor of performing with the CJMEA Elementary Honors Band and Honors Orchestra, indicating the strong foundation of musical education in the younger grades.
Beyond formal competitions and festivals, the district's music programs actively engage with the community through countless appearances at township events, parades, veteran ceremonies, and concerts at assisted living facilities, enriching the lives of residents and fostering a strong connection between the schools and the wider community.
The Hillsborough Schools offer a wide range of academic, arts, and athletic programs, with a strong emphasis on fostering student growth, creativity, and community engagement. The Fine and Performing Arts department provides diverse opportunities for students to explore their talents in instrumental and vocal music, drama, and visual arts, with a dedicated faculty committed to nurturing the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts.