Farmersville Unified honored as a NAMM Best Communities for Music Education; teachers outline rapid program growth

Assistant Superintendent Ochoa presented the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Best Communities for Music Education award to Farmersville Unified and thanked music teachers and community partners for expanding access to K–12 music instruction.

"Our district...has been working to expand and strengthen our music program the last few years," Ochoa said, citing efforts to create an articulated music curriculum from kindergarten through 12th grade and thanking the district VAPA coordinator for driving the application. Teachers from elementary through high school introduced programs at each site and described partnerships with the Visalia/Sequoia symphony guild, community donors and White's Music Center in Visalia.

Elementary music teacher Rebecca Morales described classroom and concert activities supported by new instruments and field trips; she noted Prop 28 funding helped pay for buses and recorders that enabled symphony visits. Middle‑school and junior‑high staff described growth in band, ukulele and recorder instruction. High‑school guitar director Brian Nelson said the guitar program has grown sharply in recent years — from roughly nine students district‑wide four years ago to an expected nearly 210 students next year — and highlighted competition wins and student scholarships.

Trustees congratulated staff and accepted the award; teachers received district pins. The board noted the recognition underscores district priorities for arts education and said the district will continue to support program expansion and community partnerships.

Next steps: Teachers said they will continue district‑wide articulation of music curriculum and plan a VAPA showcase in the near term.