OVERVIEW
The Harborfields Central School District Music Department offers a comprehensive music education program to all students K-12. The district's music program received recognition as part of the NAMM & American Music Conference's "Best Communities for Music Education" program. For three years of the last ten years, Harborfields CSD has been cited for having one of the top music programs in the United States and the district music program has also been recognized as a finalist in the NARAS Grammy™ Signature High School Awards program.

A balanced program of music performing ensembles and classroom music is offered to all students, with 27 performing ensembles in grades 4-12. In addition, the district offers music electives in General Music, Music Theory, Advanced Placement Music, Music in Our Lives, Beginning Guitar, Conducting and Score Reading, Applied Performing Arts, and various instrumental and vocal ensembles.

A number of students from Harborfields are chosen each year to participate in local, state, regional, and national music honor performing ensembles. Harborfields High School supports an active chapter of the Tri-M National Music Honor Society. Each year, a number of graduating students in the Harborfields music program go on to pursue careers in the areas of music performance and music education at the college and university level.

HARBORFIELDS CSD NAMED "ONE OF THE BEST COMMUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES FOR MUSIC EDUCATION" IN 2009 SURVEY
The 'Best Communities for Music Education in U.S.' Survey Recognizes the Harborfields Community and the NAMM Foundation Honors School Districts with Strong Dedication to Music Programs

CARLSBAD, Calif., April 16, 2009—The NAMM Foundation (National Association of Music Merchants) today announced the results of its tenth annual “Best Communities for Music Education” survey which acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their commitment and support of music education in schools. As the economy challenges state and local school budgets to adequately support education, the 124 school districts named by the NAMM Foundation demonstrate the unwavering commitment to provide music education for their students. The NAMM Foundation’s mission is to ensure that all children have access to quality music education programs that encourage lifelong participation in music making.

This year’s roster of musical schools represents 21 states with a record amount of communities from New York (32 school districts recognized), New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas. A total of 29 communities are new to the roster. The complete list of “Best Communities” is appended below.

“The potential of music to help children reach their full development is understood by the school districts represented in this year’s survey results,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director, NAMM Foundation. “We celebrate these communities that are committed to providing access to music education programs and bettering the lives of their students.”

The districts recognized were measured across curricular and programmatic criteria as well as public support of their music programs. The NAMM Foundation is joined by advisory organizations in the fields of music and education including, Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org), League of American Orchestras (www.americanorchestras.org), The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (www.mhopus.org), The Metropolitan Opera Guild (www.operaed.org), Music for All (www.musicforall.org), Music Teachers National Association (www.mtna.org), National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts (www.nationalguild.org), National PTA (www.pta.org), Yamaha Corporation of America (www.yamaha.com) and VH1 Save The Music Foundation (www.vh1savethemusic.com).

This is the third time that Harborfields has appeared on the "Best Communities" list in the 10 years that it has been published. Harborfields last appeared on the national list in 2002 and 2003. This is a tribute to the outstanding dedication and work of Harborfields' district music staff, students, Board of Education, school / district administration and community. Harborfields is one of only 6 school districts in Suffolk County named to the list in 2009 and, the ONLY school district in the Town of Huntington appearing on the list this year!