Tidioute Community Charter School has received national recognition for its music education program.

The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation has presented the school with the Support Music Merit Award.

The Support Music Merit Award recognizes individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

“We here at TCCS are honored to be awarded the Support Music Merit Award from the NAMM Foundation,” Jessalyn Peterson-Palmer, TCCS band director and piano instructor, said.

“We believe that music is an important part of education, and that all students should get to experience it.”

Peterson-Palmer and Greta Stoner, TCCS choir director and guitar instructor, worked through a series of detailed questions that were then reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

From there, the awards are made.

“Music Education teaches students more than just notes and rhythms,” Stoner said. “Through participation in an ensemble, students learn how valuable they are as an individual, team player, and musician.

“At TCCS we strive to meet all kids where they are at and build their confidence and ability. We are so fortunate to have hard-working, dedicated students that overcome any challenge presented to them.”

According to the Foundation, research into music education “continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well.

Stronger listening skills and life-long sound processing benefits are also seen in musically-trained children.

According to Congressman Glenn Thompson’s newsletter, Tidioute was one of 10 schools in the 15th Congressional District recognized as a “Top Community for Music Education.”

“The program acknowledges and celebrates innovative schools and districts that have developed a stronger presence for music education on campus and in the lives of students,” Thompson said.