The William Floyd School District Music Department has done it again! Their professionalism, talent and dedication to music education, has earned the district a spot as the “Best Communities for Music Education” by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)! This designation is presented to school districts for outstanding support and commitment to music education.  This is the fourth consecutive year in which the district has earned this honor and the 10^th time overall, having also earned the honor in 2004, 2006, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Now in its 27^th year, the Best Communities for Music Education program continues to spotlight and celebrate school districts and individual schools across the United States for their exemplary dedication to music education and their ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to music learning as part of a well-rounded education.

The award reaches K-12 communities nationwide, offering both recognition and momentum to strengthen and expand music education programs. In 2026, more than 1,000 school districts and schools – including public, private, charter and parochial institutions – have been recognized for outstanding achievement in providing access to high-quality music education.

Recipients of the 2026 BCME Awards were selected through a comprehensive application and review process that evaluates key indicators, including funding, instructional time, participation rates, facilities and community support. To uphold the program’s rigor and credibility, all applications were independently reviewed and verified by WolfBrown, a leading research and evaluation firm specializing in education and the arts.

Congratulations to William Floyd School District Music Department for this tremendous honor!

The NAMM Foundation is the charitable arm of the National Association of Music Merchants, the global trade association for the music products industry. The foundation works to remove systemic barriers that limit access to music-making and career pathways in the music industry. By investing in bold ideas and innovative solutions, we strive to build inclusive and thriving musical communities. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.