Volusia students in music programs have performed on national and international stages.
Volusia County Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding support and commitment to music education for the second year in a row.
Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate out-standing achievement for providing music access and education to all students.
Two awards are given each year: Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) for school districts and the SupportMusic Merit Award (SM-MA) for individual school sites. Both reach K-12 schools and districts throughout the U.S. and offer opportunities to increase awareness and support for music programs.
Over 1,000 districts and individual school sites (public, private, charter, parochial) were recognized for having the highest commitment to producing exceptional music programs.
“For the second year in a row, Volusia County Schools is thrilled and honored to receive this prestigious award celebrating our exceptional music education program,” said Superintendent Dr. Carmen J. Balgobin. “Music’s impact on our health – emotional, physical, mental, social, and beyond – cannot be understated. We are fortunate to have outstanding music education programs all throughout VCS.”
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, VCS answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by the leading arts educational research firm, WolfBrown.
Volusia County Schools provide a rich and diverse music education experience for students from elementary through high school. All elementary students receive general music instruction, creating a strong foundation in musical literacy.
As students advance, they can explore specialized programs such as band, orchestra, chorus, piano, guitar, and music theory. Advanced options like AP Music Theory and IB Music are also available. These programs are taught by certified, professional music educators who are passionate about student success.
Volusia students regularly perform on national and international stages, including Carnegie Hall, the London New Year’s Day Parade, and Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade—highlighting the district’s commitment to excellence in music education and its impact on academic achievement.