Ken-Ton Once Again Designated 'Best Community for Music Education'
Ken-Ton has been named a “Best Community for Music Education” by the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation for the 16th year in a row in recognition of its outstanding music offerings. Only a tiny fraction of the nation’s 17,000 school districts receive this distinction.
Recipients of the 2026 Best Community for Music Education designations were selected through a comprehensive review process that evaluates key indicators including funding, instructional time, participation rates, facilities, and community support.
The Music Department is led by District Music Coordinator Laura Anderson. In Ken-Ton, music education begins in kindergarten for every student with participation in ensembles beginning in Grade 4. Students can take part in band, orchestra and chorus ensembles at the elementary, middle and high school level. There are a wide variety of different band, jazz, orchestra and vocal ensembles at Kenmore East High School and Kenmore West High School of varying sizes, compositions, and skill levels. Both high schools also offer music electives students can take advantage of including Advanced Placement (AP) Music and International Baccalaureate (IB) Music.
Ken-Ton students and ensembles routinely perform exceptionally in regional and state competitions, routinely counting themselves among the best in the region. This year, nine students were accepted into highly selective Conference All-State ensembles, which represent the best in New York State. An additional 44 students were accepted into Area All-State ensembles, which represent the best in Western New York, and 120 students were accepted into All-County ensembles.
Many Ken-Ton music teachers are accomplished performers and are active in the Western New York music industry. Music teachers routinely bring their student ensembles out into the community, performing at a variety of venues all across Western New York. Ken-Ton musicians have been selected to perform at a multitude of special events such as the grand reopening of the historic historic DL&W metro rail station at Canalside, the Buffalo Corporate Challenge, and the Armed Forces Ball at the Connecticut Street Armory.
The purpose of the recognition program is to spotlight and celebrate school districts and individual schools across the country for exemplary dedication to music education and ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to music learning as part of a well-rounded education.
The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit philanthropic organization supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants, a trade association representing the music products industry. The NAMM Foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information, visit www.nammfoundation.org.