NAMM Foundation Opens 2027 Best Communities for Music Education Applications: New Impact Award Offers Up to $5,000
The NAMM Foundation, headquartered in Carlsbad, San Diego County, California, announced on October 20 that applications are open for the 2027 Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award, with a deadline of January 5, 2027, through nammfoundation.org/bcme. Now in its 28th consecutive year, the award recognizes school districts and individual schools across the United States that prioritize music education as an essential part of a well-rounded education, honoring the investment of educators, school leaders, families and community partners in giving students meaningful opportunities to participate in music. New for 2027, eligible BCME applicants may also apply for the Dinah Gretsch Impact Award: as many as 10 schools and districts demonstrating financial need and a commitment to strengthening and sustaining music education will receive awards of up to $5,000 each. Title I schools, districts with Title I schools, and non-public schools demonstrating financial need are eligible through the BCME application process. The award honors Dinah Gretsch and her enduring commitment to music education access. NAMM President and CEO John Mlynczak said music education is an essential part of a well-rounded education, helping students build creativity, confidence and collaboration, and that for 28 years BCME has recognized communities that understand this value. Eligible applicants are U.S.-based public, charter, parochial or private schools and districts offering a music education program, with one application per school or district. Applications are evaluated using a framework developed by WolfBrown, an independent consulting and research firm, and the 2027 honorees and Impact Award recipients will be announced in spring 2027.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：音乐课堂上师生同奏长笛。Rob Davidson Photography 摄，The NAMM Foundation 2026年10月20日官方发布图／Photo: A teacher and student play flute in a music classroom. Rob Davidson Photography, official NAMM Foundation release image, Oct. 20, 2026
