Bridgewater-Raritan School District Wins National Music Education Award for Ninth Year in a Row
Bridgewater, NJ – The Bridgewater‑Raritan Regional School District’s music department was named a recipient of the National Association of Music Merchants’ (NAMM) Best Communities for Music Education award for the ninth consecutive year.
The award, presented by the NAMM Foundation, is part of a 27‑year program that honors districts and schools that demonstrate a high level of commitment to music education. According to NAMM, the 2026 award cycle recognized more than 1,000 school districts and schools—public, private, charter and parochial—across the United States.
The Bridgewater‑Raritan district, which serves students in pre‑kindergarten through twelfth grade from Bridgewater Township and Raritan Borough in Somerset County, has maintained a strong music program for nearly a decade. The district’s 11 schools enroll about 8,254 students and employ roughly 754 full‑time teachers, giving a student‑teacher ratio of about 10.9:1.
The award criteria include program funding, student participation, music instruction time, facilities, and community involvement. The district completed an in‑depth survey covering these areas and met the standards set by NAMM for the BCME designation.
"This recognition reflects the dedication of our teachers, students, parents and community leaders," the district’s superintendent said in a statement. "It also provides momentum to continue expanding and strengthening our music education programs across all grade levels."
The NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education award is intended to celebrate the role of music in a well‑rounded education. The program’s purpose is to highlight exemplary districts that provide equitable access to high‑quality music instruction.
Bridgewater‑Raritan’s ninth consecutive award places it among a small group of districts that have achieved sustained recognition. The award has helped the district attract additional resources for instrument rentals, ensemble travel, and professional development for music teachers.
The district’s music department offers a range of ensembles, including concert band, jazz band, orchestra, and choir, and provides instruction in music theory, history, and technology. The program also integrates music technology tools such as digital audio workstations and virtual instrument libraries, allowing students to compose and produce music.
The award’s impact extends beyond the classroom. Local businesses and community organizations have partnered with the district to support music events, and the recognition has increased community pride in the district’s arts programs.
NAMM’s 27th‑year award program continues to grow, with the foundation noting that the BCME designation has become a benchmark for districts seeking to demonstrate excellence in music education. The foundation’s statement emphasized that the award “recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well‑rounded education.”
For Bridgewater‑Raritan, the award is a testament to the district’s long‑standing commitment to the arts and to the talent of its music educators and students.
The district will celebrate the award at a ceremony held at Bridgewater‑Raritan High School on May 15, where district officials will present certificates to the music department staff and students.
The award is part of a broader national effort to promote music education, and the NAMM Foundation plans to continue recognizing districts that demonstrate leadership in expanding equitable access to music programs.
The Bridgewater‑Raritan Regional School District’s ninth consecutive Best Communities for Music Education award underscores its sustained excellence and provides a model for other districts seeking to strengthen their music programs.
