CISD won the a National Association of Music Merchants for Music Education award.[/caption]

For the fourth year in a row, Conroe ISD has won the National Association of Music Merchants Best Communities for Music Education award. NAMM is a California-based nonprofit organization that promotes music education.

CISD Communications Director Sarah Wood said the district was evaluated on a variety of factors, including  opportunities provided to students to learn music and instruction by highly qualified music teachers.

“Overall, the district had to demonstrate a commitment to providing high-quality music education opportunities for students in order to be named a best community,” she said.

CISD has 42 elementary school music teachers, 60 band teachers, 27 orchestra teachers and 27 choir teachers. The award demonstrates the board of trustees’ commitment to excel in music by supporting the performing arts, Deputy Superintendent Chris Hines said.

The 16-year-old BCME award survey examines communities that support music education with music opportunities, such as performance and competition. To be a BCME award winner, the district had to show high standards for music instruction, according to CISD.

“Music, as with all fine arts programs, offers students a creative outlet in which they  n grow and experience success in new ways,” CISD Superintendent Don Stockton said.