Kingsport schools win two major national music awards
04.07.2006KINGSPORT, TN — Dobyns-Bennett High School and The Kingsport City School System have been recognized with two major national music awards.
Dobyns-Bennett is one of 42 schools in the nation and the only school in Tennessee selected as a GRAMMY Signature School for 2006 by The GRAMMY Foundation. The GRAMMY Signature Schools program was created in 1998 to recognize top U.S. public high schools that are making an outstanding commitment to music education during an academic school year.
"The GRAMMY Signature School's program highlights schools across the country that are dedicated to offering exemplary music programs," said Recording Academy? and GRAMMY Foundation President Neil Portnow. "Music has a profound impact on the lives of young people, and it is inspiring that these schools strive for excellence in their curricula and continue to generate positive effects for their students."
Each of the 42 GRAMMY Signature Schools will receive a custom award and a monetary grant of up to $20,000 to benefit its music program. Dobyns-Bennett High School was designated as a Signature School award winner, receiving a cash prize of $1,000.
"We are proud of our students continued efforts to achieve excellence in their musical endeavors,'' said Dobyns-Bennett Band Director Lafe Cook. "The Dobyns-Bennett Band, Orchestra and Choral programs have always worked to make Kingsport proud and I hope the community will congratulate those students that are involved in music at D-B for this national recognition. The GRAMMY Foundation's involvement with the well known GRAMMY Awards for music makes this recognition even more meaningful."
The American Music Conference also announced that the Kingsport City School System has been named as one of the "Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America" for a third consecutive year.
The 2006 roster includes school districts from 31 states whose commitment to quality music education-measured across a variety of economic, curricular and programmatic criteria-has enabled them to stand out despite the many pressures on music and arts programs across the country. Award applicants are required to fill out a survey which assesses the community's commitment to supporting music education. Only three high schools in Tennessee were selected for this honor.
For more information on Kingsport City School's music program, contact Community Relations Coordinator Amy Greear at (423) 378-2123.
