BARNEGAT, NJ — For the sixth year in a row, the Barnegat Township School District was honored with the 2025 Best Communities for Education Award by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM).
The annual Best Communities for Music Education award, now in its 26th year, is a testament to BTSD’s dedication, creativity and collaboration among the teachers, staff, administrators, students, their families and school community to ensure the arts remain a vibrant part of the education program, the district said in a news release.
“We have such incredible music education teachers in the BTSD,” said Maggie Reilley, the district’s Supervisor of English Language Arts, Social Studies and Visual/Performing Arts. “Our music educators go above and beyond to help our students continue to grow their abilities throughout each district music course and program in fun, unique and engaging ways to maximize their experiences. Our support and collaboration with the community, board of education, our teachers, and administration create an environment where our students can thrive throughout their music journeys."
This year, BTSD highlighted the music, vocal and instrumental arts through many events and programs including the BHS Recording Arts program, Recording Arts Voice of BHS Contest, combined Jazz Band Concerts, collaborative art shows and concerts, cross-curricular collaborations with the English Language Arts department, each school's vocal and instrumental concerts, and music-education based field trips. The district also celebrates the many local and state competitions students participate in, such as the Ocean County and State Teen Arts Festival, and Trills and Thrills – where the district earned Superior for all vocal and instrumental groups participating this school year.
BTSD, too, hosted Tournament of Bands (TOB) New Jersey State Marching Band Championships for the third consecutive year, as well as a local Tournament Indoor Association (TIA) Indoor Color Guard & Percussion Competition for the fourth year in a row. At both events, more than 25 marching bands and color guard units participated.
In addition, the district’s fourth annual One Barnegat Music and Arts Festival will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4 at Barnegat High School, 180 Bengal Blvd. The festival features the artwork of students in all grade levels. During the event, the chorus, choir, all bands and all drama groups will perform to showcase their talents.
“We believe that music and the arts are more than electives or extracurricular activities; they are essential to provide our students with a well-rounded education,” said Reilley. “Students are learning technical proficiency and musical literacy in all general music, vocal and instrumental courses to enrich student lives emotionally, socially, intellectually and create a love of music. In addition to this knowledge, students are learning collaboration, teamwork, creativity, expression to build emotional intelligence and confidence, the value of working hard and resilience as they continue to learn and grow.”
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.
For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org. For more information on the arts programs at BTSD, go to www.barnegatschools.com.