Memphis, TN – Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) has received the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding support and commitment to music education. Now in its 26th year, the BCME designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.

To earn this prestigious recognition, MSCS answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by the leading arts educational research firm, WolfBrown. 

The award comes on the heels of several recent honors for MSCS music educators, including:

• GRAMMY Music Educator recipient Adrian Maclin, music teacher at Cordova High School
• 2025 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition winner: Central High School, under the direction of Dr. Ollie Liddell.

These recognitions underscore the district’s deep commitment to cultivating a safe and conducive learning environment where every student has access to high quality music education. 

The arts remain a top priority for MSCS and are a core component of Interim Superintendent Dr. Roderick F. Richmond’s “5 A’s” vision: Arts, Athletics, Attitude, Academics, and Attendance.

MSCS was one of only 935 school districts nationwide to earn the Best Communities for Music Education designation this year – further affirming its leadership in arts education.

If you have a story about a MSCS student, teacher, or school to highlight, please email us at [email protected]. Include the school name, story details, and an SCSK12.ORG email for follow-up.