Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arts And Culture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Exeter Township School District honored with NAMM Best Communities for Music Education award
Summary
The Exeter Township School District music program received the 2025 NAMM Foundation Best Communities for Music Education award, recognizing the district's sustained commitment to music instruction and student access to ensembles and performances.
Henry Perlberg, an education representative from Zeswits Music and a retired public-school music teacher, presented the 2025 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation Best Communities for Music Education award to the Exeter Township School District at the board's Aug. 19, 2025 voting meeting.
The award recognizes school districts that demonstrate sustained commitment to music education and to providing access to music for all students. Perlberg said the NAMM program has honored more than 1,000 districts and schools across 43 states since the program began, and that 131 Pennsylvania districts and roughly 935 districts nationwide received the designation this year.
Perlberg described research showing correlations between music participation and improved attendance, literacy and graduation rates. "Music education is a powerful tool that shapes students' lives," he said, adding that many students report music class as the highlight of their day.
The district's music department staff named by Perlberg included Nina Doljewski, Amanda Brenna, Heather Hafer, Emily Reppert, Patty Klein, Dawn Keebler, Kyle Luckinbill, Melissa Crotty, Michael Albrecht, Elizabeth Combs and Lorraine Selkie. Perlberg reviewed highlights from the 2024–25 year cited in the award submission: the high school orchestra's work with members of the Philadelphia Symphony, four students accepted into PMEA All-State ensembles, strong ensemble ratings at Music in the Parks, performances of school musicals including The Little Mermaid and SpongeBob the Musical (Teen Edition), and the high school vocal ensemble's trip to Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.
Perlberg and district speakers also noted upcoming music activities: the marching band season opener scheduled for the weekend immediately following the meeting, a band fair on Sept. 3 and a string fair on Sept. 4 at Wyomissing-area elementary schools. Board members asked about the award criteria; Perlberg and district representatives said the NAMM application is an extensive packet (described as roughly 30 pages plus essays) covering program offerings, student participation, facilities and Title I and Title II data. The NAMM Foundation opens its application window in October and typically notifies recipients in spring.
The board and district staff acknowledged the recognition and thanked music teachers and families. The item was a presentation and did not require a board vote.
Ending: The board proceeded from the recognition to the superintendent's report; no formal action was taken on the award itself.
