MATTAPOISETT — Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is proud to share that the Old Rochester Regional School District earned the distinction of being one of the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) for the third year in a row.
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the largest global not-for-profit music trade organization, and The NAMM Foundation announced the 2025 BCME awards on Monday, May 12.
“This recognition from the NAMM Foundation is a testament to the incredible support our music program receives from the entire Old Rochester community,” said Old Rochester Regional Junior High School general music and band teacher Richard Laprise. “From passionate students and dedicated educators to supportive families and school leadership, it truly takes a village to build a thriving music education program. We’re proud to be part of a district that values the arts and understands the lasting impact music has on our students’ lives.”
“Being recognized as a BCME award winner is a powerful affirmation of the Old Rochester Regional School District’s commitment to the arts and to nurturing the talents of our young musicians,” said Pedro Silva, music teacher at Old Rochester Regional High School. “Earning this distinction for the third consecutive year reflects our dedication, vision, and the strong values at the heart of our program. It shows that the work we’re doing matters. We’re excited to keep growing our music education offerings and to continue supporting our students as they explore, create, and achieve their full potential through music.”
The Old Rochester Regional School District was among 1,000 awardees from across the country that earned the BCME award or the Support Music Merit Award. Now in its 26th year, the BCME designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.
Awardees were selected through a rigorous application and review process, which included verified data on funding, instruction time, participation, and community engagement. To ensure the integrity and reliability of the program, the data analysis for all applications was conducted by WolfBrown, an esteemed independent research and evaluation firm specializing in education and the arts.
“Music education has numerous positive effects on communities,” said John Mlynczak, a former educator who is now president and CEO of NAMM. “The Best Communities for Music Education award winners serve as models for the power of music education to foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts, and NAMM is honored to recognize the 2025 recipients.”
“We are thrilled to recognize this year’s awardees for their outstanding commitment to music education access,” said Julia Rubio, executive director of The NAMM Foundation. “These districts and schools demonstrate that access to music learning helps students thrive, in school and in life, and we celebrate their dedication to creating inclusive learning environments.”
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Old Rochester Regional High School Principal Michael Devoll and Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Principal Silas Coellner celebrated the distinction, congratulating the district’s music education teachers, students, parents, support staff and administrative team.
“Earning a BCME award for the third year in a row is an immense source of pride for our schools,” said Principal Coellner. “Music education plays an important role in our students’ overall learning and development. The tri-town has produced some excellent musicians over the years, and we owe that to the amazing music education program we have in our communities. Congratulations to all of our teachers, our administrative team and the students for helping to make this all possible.”
“This recognition reinforces what we already know—our district believes in the power of music education, and we’re proud to support students as they grow as musicians and as people,” said Principal Devoll. “Three years in a row tells me this isn’t a fluke; it’s who we are. We’ll keep investing in our music program and making sure our students have every opportunity to thrive.”
“In the Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55, we believe in providing a robust music education for learners of all ages and ability because we know that it builds confidence, creativity and community,” said Superintendent Nelson. “We’re proud that we’re able to provide a meaningful and relevant music education that inspires our student to not only continue their musical studies, but to spark their creativity in all areas of their lives. We are humbled and grateful that our work has been recognized by NAMM through this distinguished award for a third consecutive year.”
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