Hendrick Hudson Honored with Music Education Award for a Ninth Straight Year
For the ninth straight year, the Hendrick Hudson School District has been honored with a Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation. The Best Communities for Music Education recognition is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.
“Receiving the NAMM Best Communities for Music Education award is an incredible honor that reflects the dedication of our students, families, and staff,” said Lauren Morabito, the Orchestra Director at Hendrick Hudson High School and the district’s K-12 Department Leader. “At Hendrick Hudson, music is a vital part of who we are — it's woven into our culture, our classrooms, and our community. As both an orchestra teacher and department leader, I’m proud to be part of a district that nurtures creativity, connection and excellence through music every day.”
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Hendrick Hudson answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by the leading arts educational research firm, WolfBrown.
During the 2024-25 school year, the district had four students accepted into the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Honor Choir, which performed in Dallas. One student was chosen for the NYSSMA All-State Mixed Choir, which performed at the iconic Eastman Theater in Rochester, while another was accepted into the Worldstrides Honors Performance Program as a member of the Honor Choir and will perform at the Sydney Opera House in July.
Additionally, there were also 16 HHHS students selected for the NYSSMA Area All-State Festival and 17 student musicians from various Hendrick Hudson schools that were chosen to perform in the Westchester All-County Festival.
Hendrick Hudson High School also remains the only high school in New York State offering the United Sound program for students with special needs.
About The NAMM Foundation
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.
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.