The South Orangetown Central School District is proud to announce that its K-12 Music Department is a finalist for The Arts Council of Rockland 2022 Arts Educator Award!
Each year, the award is presented to a “Rockland-based educator, teaching artist, arts or educational administrator, school, school district or organization who, through extraordinary vision and leadership, has expanded or enriched arts education opportunities to students in Rockland County.” This year’s awards featured a public nomination process, followed by two rounds of members-only voting. Council membership is composed primarily of practicing local artists, but also includes supportive community members. Winners will be announced at the organization’s June 1 gala.
“As a department, we have made it our goal to advocate at all levels for students of all ages to be exposed to music and music making,” said Tappan Zee High School Music Team Leader Bill Hughes. “Starting with general music and leading to opportunities in choral and instrumental music, our goal has always been to bring the joy and love we have for music to all of our students. This nomination and subsequent vote as finalists for this award came as a pleasant surprise. When you have a passion for teaching music, the ultimate reward is when your students develop an interest and life-long love for music.”
The outstanding work of the K-12 music program was feature in a National Music in our Schools Month campaign on the District Facebook (#NMIOSM2022) and Instagram feeds in March.
Congratulations to our outstanding SOCSD music teachers: Bob Bennett (not pictured), Beth Fox, Danelle Greene, Bill Hughes, Lisa Kahn (not pictured), Elizabeth Krause, Christine Lee, Priscilla Peña-Carney, Jon Rossi, Russell Wagoner and Charles Yassky!
