Great Falls Public Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award from The NAMM Foundation for their outstanding support and commitment to music education. Now in its 27th year, the program continues to spotlight and celebrate school districts and individual schools across the United States for their exemplary dedication to music education and their ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to music learning as part of a well-rounded education.
The award reaches K-12 communities nationwide, offering both recognition and momentum to strengthen and expand music education programs. In 2026, more than 1,000 school districts and schools—including public, private, charter, and parochial institutions—have been recognized for outstanding achievement in providing access to high-quality music education.
Great Falls is a community that values the Arts, and our students have reaped the benefits from keeping a strong Arts program with a vibrant Music component intact in the face of a pandemic,” said Dusty Molyneaux, GFPS Fine Arts Supervisor. “Being recognized again for this award validates the statements we make as a District about the importance of studying music for the success of our students’ overall education and the well-being of our community.”
Recipients of the 2026 BCME Awards were selected through a comprehensive application and review process that evaluates key indicators, including funding, instructional time, participation rates, facilities, and community support. To uphold the program’s rigor and credibility, all applications were independently reviewed and verified by WolfBrown, a leading research and evaluation firm specializing in education and the arts.
GFPS proudly educates 10,000 students in our community and is very proud of the hard-working music educators who make magic every day in the classroom, as well as the community partnerships that contribute to the success of the GFPS Music program.
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.
By Dusty Molyneaux: May 14, 2026 – Great Falls, Mt
