Newark High School wins Grammy

Newark High School now has another trophy to add to its collection: a Grammy award.

The school has been honored by the GRAMMY Foundation’s Signature School program.  Newark High will receive $5,000 for being one of just six high schools in the country to get the Enterprise Award.

Grammy Foundation vice president Scott Goldman says the award recognizes schools that maintain high quality music programs despite economically challenging circumstances.  “It has been proven time and time again that music, not unlike athletics, is a reason for kids to come back to school every day.  It motivates them, it gets them engaged, not only in the music curriculum, but it gets them engaged in school activities.”

The $5,000 will be given directly to the school’s music program and can be used to purchase much needed new equipment.  “They have not been able to purchase music supplies, instruction manuals, all manner of technology that goes with running a music program, and these funds will hopefully allow them to do that,” says Goldman.

The award campaign is presented with support of the Gibson Foundation and the Ford Motor Company Fund.  The Grammy Foundation was founded in 1989 as part of an effort to encourage better understanding and appreciation for recorded music in American culture.  Part of that mission is accomplished by encouraging school music programs through the Grammy in the Schools program.