An announcement posted on Facebook by the Texas Music Office, a branch within the Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism division established more than 30 years ago, was one of the first to congratulate Frisco on its official certification.
Music Friendly Community certifications are awarded to some Texas communities participating in the Texas Music Office’s Music Friendly Texas program, an initiative established in 2016 to create a network of musicians statewide, according to the Texas Music Office’s website.
Participating in the program is not enough. Interested cities must also meet certain criteria to receive the official certification.
To obtain certification, a community must also:
- Host a Texas Music Office-sponsored Music Friendly Texas workshop;
- Establish a Music Office within a division of city government, such as the city office, economic development corporation or tourism office;
- Register with the Texas Music Industry Directory;
- Demonstrate there are music-related nonprofits partnering with the community;
- Collaborate with music education programs; and
- Create an advisory board of local music community industry stakeholders.
With all of those boxes checked, Frisco is now the 42nd Music Friendly Community, City Council Member Tammy Meinershagen said in a Facebook post.
Becoming certified highlights a city’s commitment to attracting and further developing music industry growth, according to the website.
A free ceremony hosted by Mayor Jeff Cheney, City Council, the Texas Music Office, Visit Frisco and Play Artistically is planned for 6:30 p.m. April 4 during City Council’s regular meeting at the George A. Purefoy Municipal Center located at 6101 Frisco Square Blvd. to celebrate the city’s new certification, Meinershagen said.
“All our local musicians, arts organization and live music fans are invited to attend,” Meinershagen said.
Chip Adams, Texas Music Office community relations and outreach specialist, will also be present at the ceremony to issue Frisco’s certification and to give a speech, according to the Texas Music Office’s Facebook post.
More information on the Music Friendly Texas program can be found on the Texas Music Office’s website.
