Music award seen as big boost to Decorah schools

Decorah School District music educators are hailing the school district's award by the National Association of Music Merchants as one of the 174 best communities in the country for music education.

Decorah High School band director Jim Fritz responded, "The purpose of the award is to highlight communities across the country who place high importance on music education in their schools.  This is obviously a community award and not a music department award.  It highlights the efforts of parents, the school system, music educators, Kepharts Music Center, Luther College, the Decorah Music Boosters and the greater community at large.  As has been often said, "It takes a village to raise child."  This is affirmation of the effort this community has made for many, many years."

The Decorah School District may be recognized at the Iowa Band Masters convention next week in Des Moines.