Area honored for its music education

S-K is only Oregon district on industry group's list of 124

By Barbara Curtin
Statesman Journal

Salem-Keizer is one of 124 "best communities" for music education in the country, the NAMM Foundation said recently.

The music-industry group chose winners from more than 500 school districts that completed detailed questionnaires on such topics as funding, graduation requirements, music-class participation, instruction time, facilities and support for music programs. The survey was developed and administered by The Institute for Educational Research and Public Service, an affiliate of the University of Kansas.

Salem-Keizer was the only Oregon school district on the list.

"We're really pleased to have received that award but not surprised," said Brian Griffiths, the associate director of bands at West Salem High School. "This community really does support its music programs. That's one of the reasons it's a great place to teach."

A lot of the credit, he said, should go to Karl Raschkes, the district supervisor of music education, who looks nationwide to hire the best music teachers he can.

Marianne Stipe, a parent who has been active in Friends of Music for about five years, said Salem-Keizer already has a national reputation for excellence.

"Our daughter is going into music education at Eastern Illinois University," she said. "She was given a substantial scholarship based on her academics and music. When she auditioned there and gave them a playlist of things she had played in high school, they were blown away by the level at which our bands perform."

Gifted children aren't the only reason that the district should continue to invest in its music program, she said.

"Music reaches out to all kids: the high academic achievers and the not-so-high who keep coming to school because (band or choir) is the place where they belong."

The NAMM Foundation is the philanthropic arm of an international association representing businesses that make and distribute music products of all kinds, said Mary Luehrsen, the foundation's executive director. It works on projects to encourage music making by people of all ages.