Press release of February 2, 2012

BH-BL High School named a "Grammy Signature School"

BURNT HILLS:  The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School has been named a "2012 Grammy Signature School Semi-finalist" by the Grammy Foundation.

Only 125 public high schools in the nation received this honor, including two schools in the Greater Capital Region: BH-BL and Guilderland. Finalists in the annual competition will be announced in March.

Excellence in music education has long been a point of pride for Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake staff and parents, so it is very exciting to see that opinion confirmed by an outside organization, especially an organization as prestigious as a Grammy Foundation, says Fine Arts department chair Mike Danis.

"Although the honor specifically focuses on the high school, this is really a recognition of the hard work of all BH-BL music teachers from grades 1 to 12 to provide a meaningful and sequential music education program all the way from first grade general music up to our most advanced high school performers and ensembles," Danis says.

Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation, explains that "The Grammy Signature Schools program sustains excellence in music education .... Each of these semifinalist schools should be commended for their commitment to keeping the arts in their curriculum for the long term benefit of their students."

As with other areas of the curriculum, the BH-BL music program has felt the impact of budget cuts in the last three years, but continues to focus on ensuring that all programs offered are of the highest possible quality.

"All three high school major performing ensembles earned a rank of Gold or Gold with Distinction at level 5 and 6 difficulty music in 2010-11 competitions," says Danis. "That has never been achieved in the past. Thanks to great teachers, great parental support, and support from a great Friends of Music group as well, our students not only excel in competitions but also receive a strong music education."

More information about the Grammys Signature Schools program is available at http://www.grammyintheschools.com/programs/grammy-signature-schools

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