For the third consecutive year, Northampton County Public Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education Award from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for its support and commitment to music education.
Now in its 27th year, the program continues to spotlight and celebrate school districts and individual schools across the United States for their exemplary dedication to music education and their ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to music learning as part of a well-rounded education.
Recipients of the 2026 awards, including public, private, charter, and parochial institutions, were selected through a comprehensive application and review process that evaluates key indicators, including funding, instructional time, participation rates, facilities, and community support.
To uphold the program’s rigor and credibility, all applications were independently reviewed and verified by WolfBrown, a leading research and evaluation firm specializing in education and the arts.
“Music education helps students not only academically, but emotionally as well,” said Megan Gallagher, music teacher at Kiptopeke Elementary School.
Decades of research show that robust music education provides significant cognitive and social-emotional benefits, improving students’ language skills, academic success, and overall well-being.
“We join only a handful of school divisions in Virginia — and a select few across the country — to receive this award,” shared Brad Ford, director of bands at Northampton Middle and High Schools. “This is a true milestone for our schools, and I want to congratulate everyone and thank our community for always standing behind our music programs.”
“Earning this recognition three years in a row is a well-deserved honor and a powerful testament to our program’s leadership, instructional excellence, and sustained commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for our students,” said Lisa Martin, superintendent of Northampton County Public Schools. “Music is vital to our educational mission, and this award reinforces our commitment to keeping arts education thriving.”
The NAMM Foundation is the charitable arm of the National Association of Music Merchants, the global trade association for the music products industry.
The foundation works to remove systemic barriers that limit access to music-making and career pathways in the music industry.
By investing in bold ideas and innovative solutions, the foundation strives to build inclusive and thriving musical communities.
Visit www.nammfoundation.org for more information about The NAMM Foundation.
County named among best communities for music education
