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Quaker Valley High School Recognized for Excellence in Music Education

QVHS is one of 125 schools nationwide to be named a GRAMMY Signature Schools semifinalist. The finalists, which will be announced in March, will receive a grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for their music programs.

has been named a Signature School semifinalist by the GRAMMY Foundation, which commended the school for “making an outstanding commitment to music education during an academic school year.”

"The GRAMMY Signature Schools program sustains excellence in music education by granting awards to public high school music programs in communities across the country," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation.

"Each of these semifinalist schools should be commended for their commitment to keeping the arts in their curriculum for the long-term benefits of their students."

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QVHS is one of 125 schools nationwide to be named a GRAMMY Signature Schools semifinalist.

The foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture.

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In March, the foundation will announce the finalists for the GRAMMY Signature Schools program. These schools will receive an award and a grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to benefit their music programs.

The top schools are designated Gold recipients, and the best of the Gold recipients is named the National GRAMMY Signature School.

Quaker Valley High School offers the following opportunities for growth in music:

  • The QVHS choirs are co-curricular classes for grade 9-12.  The choir program is divided into: Ninth-Grade Chorus, Concert Choir, Ensemble and Girls Barbershop Quartet. Choirs perform annually at the Allegheny County Courthouse, at Sewickley light-up night, for the high school holiday and spring concerts and for other community events.  Students who excel may apply or audition to numerous festival choirs sponsored by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.
  • The Quaker Valley Marching Band is the most visible high school musical ensemble and a catalyst for school spirit throughout the community. The band performs at all home and away football games and at local parades and events throughout the year.  The band also competes within the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association, and it was Class A Champion for 2004. 
  • The QVHS String Orchestra is a co-curricular class for grade 9-12. The orchestra program meets daily and requires participation in evening performances. The orchestra performs every year at a venue for the community and in holiday and spring concerts. Orchestra members recently performed in the rotunda of the State Capitol in Harrisburg. Members who demonstrate excellent musicianship may apply and/or audition for PMEA Junior High District Orchestra, PMEA Senior High District Orchestra and Honors Orchestra. Other festivals in which orchestra members have performed include the West Virginia Honors String Orchestra and Strings North Honors String Festival.

The selection process for GRAMMY Signature Schools begins each year in August when the foundation notifies more than 20,000 public high schools, requesting information about each school's music program.

After the applications are scored, finalists are asked to submit additional documentation, such as recordings of school concerts, sample concert programs and details of their repertoire. That information is reviewed by an independent blue-ribbon committee of music educators and professionals to determine the schools that merit GRAMMY Signature School status.

 

 

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