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West York music department named NAMM "Best Communities for Music Education" for fourth straight year
Summary
District music staff told the West York Area School District board that the NAMM Foundation again recognized the district as a Best Community for Music Education, citing staffing, participation and community support.
The West York Area School District music department was recognized again as one of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education, district music staff told the board during the public meeting.
The designation, awarded through an application process that evaluates student participation, staffing, access to instruments and resources, curriculum and community partnerships, marks the district’s fourth consecutive year to earn the honor, Sarah Fori, elementary band director at Trimmer, said. "NAMM envisions a world where every child has a deep desire to learn music and a recognized right to be taught," Fori said.
Fori said the district’s local partnership with Menchi Music and improvements in staffing and instructional time helped West York qualify after earlier years when it would not have met the criteria. "Since 2022 we have made great gains in our department as far as staffing and instructional time for every student, leading to higher quality educational growth and opportunities in music," Fori said.
District staff said NAMM awarded the distinction to 130 Pennsylvania school districts in 2025 and that eight of York County’s 15 school districts received the recognition. Fori listed program staff who attended the meeting and accepted the certificate: Laurie Kumantes, Janine Miller, Faith Wentworth and Robert Titus.
Superintendent (unnamed) thanked the music staff and the board for supporting the program and noted the designation reflects district-wide support. "That award has everything to do with the people at this table as much as it is our music department," the superintendent said.
Music staff invited the community to upcoming performances this school year, including fall marching season and scheduled winter and spring concerts. The staff asked the board and community to continue prioritizing instructional time, access and budget support so the district can sustain and build the program.
Upcoming performance dates were described as available on the district website and in the superintendent’s report.
