Bethel Park music department honored as a national "Best Communities for Music Education"

The Bethel Park School District board on April 9 recognized the district's music department after staff said it was named one of roughly 800 school systems nationwide on the "Best Communities for Music Education" list.

A staff member told the board the district has received the designation for about 10 consecutive years. "They're one of just about 800 school systems across the entire country to receive this designation, and this is, we believe, more than 10 times in a row they've been honored to be one of the Best Communities for Music Education," the staff member said.

Board members and staff invited music faculty and student performers to the front of the meeting room for photos and public thanks; one board member noted several upcoming concerts and encouraged community attendance. "These kids are amazing," a committee member said, urging the public to attend choral, orchestra and band concerts scheduled in the coming weeks.

The recognition was followed by procedural business; no formal board action was recorded related to the award. The district did not provide further details in the meeting about the criteria used for the designation or the organization issuing the list.

The board adjourned following regular business; upcoming concerts and other music department events were mentioned as items the public might attend.