School district makes nat’l ‘Best 100’ list for music

School district makes nat’l
‘Best 100’ list for music

EAST BRUNSWICK — The township’s school district has been recognized as one of the best districts for music education in the United States.

The American Music Conference named East Brunswick Public Schools to the "Best 100 Communities for Music Education" list, following a recent survey conducted in tandem with several partner organizations. Upon learning of this merit, the Board of Education honored approximately 20 music department staff members with resolutions of commendation at the board’s June 26 meeting.

The American Music Conference researched and ranked successful music programs in communities across the country that balance measurable resources, such as budgets and buildings, with less tangible assets such as the will to make quality music education a reality.

Board President Michael Baker said the district "loves music." He noted that he was particularly impressed with a recent performance at the Hammarskjold Middle School. He said audience members were sweating due to the high temperatures in the school and were also distracted by the thunderstorms taking place outside, "but for the few minutes we could listen to the concert choir, we forgot about the rainstorms."

"We absolutely love our music program," Baker said. "Everyone who is involved in it provides us great pleasure."

"This district is the envy of all the districts in terms of the excellent staff we have," said Robert McGarry, supervisor of arts education for the district.

McGarry said the programs and classes have succeeded due to the "overwhelming" support from the community and the board.

The American Music Conference ranking is based on a number of factors, including the district’s enrollment, student-teacher ratios, participation in music classes, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and funding.

East Brunswick was one of just five New Jersey school districts to make the "Best 100" list. The others were Bergenfield, Madison, Randolph and Summit.

Darlene Brandt, who teaches string instruments at four East Brunswick elementary schools, said she loves going to work every day for the board and the children. "Any time someone says I write or speak well, I say, ‘That’s my East Brunswick education, not my college education,’ " she said.

The resolution honored McGarry, as well as the following district’s music teachers: Joshua Becker, Michael Berry, Darlene Brandt, Anna Braun, Lillian Graham, Sharon Harrington, Renee Ioffredo, John Kish, Marjorie LoPresti, Kaye Peck, Mark Perez, Kathryn Reid, Shannon Riley, Michele Schmidt, Kathleen Spadafino, Gordon Tedeschi, Jane Vanzini, Melissa Villamaria, Judy Weiss, Meghan Woodard and Joseph Zienkowicz.

— Vincent Todaro