Montezuma-Cortez Middle School has been awarded the SupportMusic Merit Award from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding music program and its strong commitment to music for the third time in the past four years.
The SupportMusic Merit Award is awarded to schools that show notable musical achievement and persistent efforts to provide music to all students in the school.
The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation provides research into the impact of music on students and participates in philanthropy to help advance music in schools across the country.
Schools are chosen based on the percentage of the student body in the school’s music programs, staff, staff qualifications, demographics, funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, community and administration support and more.
The vast majority of CMS students participate in the school’s music programs, with over 70% of students enrolled in some capacity.
“Normally 30% of the student body doing music is a really good program,” music teacher Andrew Campo said.
The application process took hours, and once it was finished, school responses were filtered by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
CMS was one of 78 schools in the nation to receive the 2023 merit award “for outstanding support of music education and enriching the lives of children and advancing student achievement.”
“We are so proud of Anette, Marla, and Andrew and excited that they are, once again, being recognized for their incredible work. We have over 70% of our student population participate in our band, choir and piano classes which is a testament to the fantastic programs the team has built. Congratulations on the recognition,” CMS Principal Drew Pearson said.
Campo, who teaches beginning band and multiple seventh and eighth grade music classes, said he and the other music teachers at CMS are grateful for the support of the community and school administration.
“We couldn’t achieve things like this without the support of our school administration,” Campo said. “We have two wonderful assistant principals and an amazing principal who support us like nothing else. We have a community that supports us, you know, clapping for us when we go down the street in the parade. Hundreds of people showing up at a concert and people helping us with fundraisers. We're blessed to live in a community that values music. And I think this award is just a kind of a pat on the back for all of us in our town.”
Marla Sitton, another CMS music teacher, said they teach around 350 students in the various music programs, and she hopes the students feel accomplished for this exciting award.
“Since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015 and a stated emphasis on a well-rounded education, many school districts have recommitted to music and arts education programs. During the pandemic, music and arts programs were a vital component to keeping students engaged in school,” CMS’ news release said.
Music not only teaches children a fun and valuable skill, research shows it contributes to significant educational, cognitive and social skill benefits.
Children who are involved in music from an early age have a higher chance of graduating high school and attending college, as well as possessing enhanced listening skills.
