The Fredonia Central School District received a Best Communities for Music Education award this week from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation.

The foundation awarded 623 school districts, out of the nation’s more than 13,000 districts, in 41 states. New York saw 152 award winners, the highest of any state.

The NAMM Foundation’s press release states the “program evaluates schools and districts based on funding, staffing of highly qualified teachers, commitment to standards and access to music instruction.”

The release adds the Best Communities for Music Education awards have “helped raise local awareness of quality music programs from coast to coast. Earning the designation has assisted communities in securing funds for music programs threatened by budget cuts and provides a source of community pride.”