Assembly Resolution No. 2120

BY: M. of A. Conrad

COMMENDING the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union
Free School District upon the occasion of its
designation as a 2024 Best Community for Music
Education by the National Association of Music
Merchants Foundation

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
those outstanding school districts who dedicate their time, energy, and
resources to music education and the refinement of the arts; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District upon
the occasion of its designation as a 2024 Best Community for Music
Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation; and

WHEREAS, For the 14th year in a row, the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda
Union Free School District has been designated as a Best Community for
Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Now in its 25th year, the Best Communities for Music
Education designation is awarded to districts which demonstrate
outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all
students; Ken-Ton was one of just 975 school districts across the
country to receive this esteemed designation; and

WHEREAS, This impressive achievement of the Kenmore-Town of
Tonawanda Union Free School District music program is in direct
correlation to the unwavering attention and efforts of the dedicated
music educators within the district: Phil Aguglia, Laura Anderson, Maria
Aurigema, Brian Backlund, Julie Beiter, Ken Belote, Ron Bordinaro,
Stephanie Cartwright, Erin Coyle, Jill Cumbo, Miranda DelBello, Karin
Fryer, Lisa Hasselback, Kristin Hill, James Holden, Mike Ihde, Laura
Jay, Amanda McCormick, Matthew Morris, Ciaran Kruger, Mary Kwitowski,
Jessica Leary, Erin Marshall, Gabrielle Moore, Jill Neuhaus, Elizabeth
Odrobina, Amanda Regan, Elizabeth Ruth, Aaron Scoccia, Patrick Towey,
and Lisa Welfare; and

WHEREAS, The administrators of the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union
Free School District are committed to actively promoting and nurturing a
comprehensive music program for all the students of the district; and

WHEREAS, Music is an extremely important part of the curriculum at
all grade levels in Ken-Ton schools; music education begins in
kindergarten for every student with band, chorus, and orchestra
ensembles beginning in fourth grade; there are a wide variety of
different band, jazz, orchestra, and vocal ensembles of varying sizes,
compositions, and skill levels, as well as many music electives that
students can take advantage of, including Advanced Placement and
International Baccalaureate music classes; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, many Ken-Ton music teachers are accomplished
performers and routinely bring their student ensembles out into the
community, performing at a variety of venues across Western New York;
and

WHEREAS, Ken-Ton students and ensembles routinely perform in
regional and state competitions; in recent years, hundreds of students
have earned a place in All-County, Area All-State, and Conference
All-State festivals, as well as other highly selective regional,
national, and even international ensembles; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, numerous Ken-Ton graduates have gone on to
the nation's elite music colleges and are now professional musicians;
and

WHEREAS, Music education provides positive outcomes for students in
many educational, cognitive, and social skills, including enhanced
neural processing, conflict resolution, and teamwork; and

WHEREAS, Music faculty commit their time, passion, and hard work to
the task of musical training, and to guiding music students through a
successful music training journey that provides lifelong benefits for
the students; and

WHEREAS, Talent, dedication, and countless hours of teaching by the
music educators and practice by the student musicians have made the
Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District suitable for this
prestigious accolade; and

WHEREAS, The Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District
student musicians, teachers, and the entire school community can be
justifiably proud of their musical achievements and for demonstrating
outstanding support for and participation in music education; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District upon
the occasion of its designation as a 2024 Best Community for Music
Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District.