Orange, CA - April 20, 2018 - Orange Unified School District is proud to announce that Villa Park High School (VPHS) has been honored for their outstanding commitment to music education for the second time in three years with the SupportMusic Merit Award from The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation.
Villa Park High was selected because the school consistently demonstrates outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students and leads the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Led by Chuck Jay, a retired Marine Corps Officer, the Instrumental Music Program at Villa Park High School provides structure, discipline, accountability and a set of very high standards for students to aspire to. “The young people in this program represent the highest ideals associated with not only excellence in musical performance, but excellence in citizenship as well,” stated Jay about his students.
“The single most significant factor of my success in high school, my future educational plans, and the positive direction my life has taken is my participation in the music program,” added Mark Siegert, a VPHS senior.
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. A series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University found a link between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance.
“I see the academic success, the social maturation and the artistic development of our music students reflected in every aspect of their matriculation,” said Villa Park High School Principal Kenneth Miller, Ed.D. “Receiving this significant recognition for the second time validates the support we provide to the music program and allows us to promote it with the significance it deserves within our community.”
To qualify for the SupportMusic Merit Award, Villa Park High School 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 with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.