Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Lynbrook school district has once again been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that promotes and supports music education, marking the 14th consecutive year the district has received the recognition.
The designation by the foundation, a supporting organization of the National Association of Music Merchants, honors school districts that demonstrate strong access to and participation in music education, with applications evaluated based on curriculum, funding and overall support for the arts.
“It’s an enormous source of pride for me and the other teachers,” Anna Upston, the Marion Street School’s general music teacher and chorus director, said. “We take music education very seriously here, and the administration does as well. We weave music in and out of the curriculum and into the daily lives of our students.”
For fifth-graders at Marion Street School, that impact is felt early on.
“Music is so much fun,” student Rosina Arcella wrote in an email. “It helped me grow a lot. It made me stronger with my feelings, and it’s definitely brought us all together.”
“I’ve always wanted to do music in my life, and Marion Street helped me get a head start,” Georgia Conza wrote in an email. “I’m closer to my friends, and I get to meet kids from other schools through programs like All County.”
In Lynbrook, students are introduced to music in elementary school and can begin learning instruments as early as third grade — earlier than in many other districts.
“A child at Marion Street has the opportunity to learn up to three instruments — they can be in orchestra, band and chorus at the same time,” Upston said. “It’s exciting to see how proud they are of everything they’re able to do.”
Upston, now in her fifth year at Marion Street, said that music is built into everyday learning — not just rehearsals and concerts.
“Music becomes a way for students to connect,” she said. “They support one another, work together and build emotional intelligence. That’s really where music shines.”
That foundation continues as students move through the district’s middle and high school programs. “By the time students get to high school, they’re showing real mastery of the fundamentals they started learning in elementary school,” said Zachary Rifkind, Lynbrook High School’s band director.
Rifkind added that the program stands out for its culture as much as its instruction. “This is truly a family atmosphere,” he said. “Students don’t just move through the program — they come back, mentor younger students and stay connected.”
And their dedication is clear every day, Rifkin said. “I see students giving up their free periods to practice,” he said. “It’s not just something they do — it’s something they live.”
At North Middle School, band director Peter Deschler said that students begin to take more responsibility as they grow. “Middle school is where students really start to take ownership,” Deschler said. “They’re responsible for their music, their preparation and their role in the ensemble.”
The program also helps students develop beyond music. “Band teaches life lessons,” Deschler added. “Students learn accountability, teamwork and the importance of putting in the work to succeed.”
Students say that growth is part of what makes the experience meaningful. “It’s nice to have a teacher point out your mistakes and work through it,” Marion Street School fifth-grader Liam Singleton wrote in an email. “The students do this for each other too. It makes the concert better than you thought it could be.”
“The music department makes my voice feel free and happy,” fifth-grader Joseph Lovaglio wrote in an email.
District officials say the program’s success is also driven by strong community support.
“It’s a very detailed process each year,” Adrianna Schaefer, the district’s director of fine and performing arts, said. “We reflect on how much music education our students are receiving and the strength of our programs. We’re fortunate to have a community that really values this.”
Looking ahead, Schaefer said, the district hopes to continue expanding opportunities for students.
“Our goal is to keep growing the program,” she said, “and give as many students as possible the chance to be involved.”
