INDIANAPOLIS - Thirteen middle and high school music programs across the country submitted video testimonials detailing how music education has profoundly impacted their lives and received recognition and free music from Alfred Music.

This summer for Make Music Day, the NFHS partnered with Alfred Music, the NAMM Foundation, MakeMusic Inc., and the Make Music Alliance to provide more than 800 school music programs with free access to composer Brian Balmages’ new Grade 2 work, “Critical Impact.” Make Music Day is a global celebration of music held annually on June 21 open to anyone who wants to participate.  

Now in its second year, the project continues to grow in both reach and impact. Participating music programs were invited to submit video performances of “Critical Impact,” as well as student testimonials focusing on how music education has positively changed their lives. Submissions were considered for funding to purchase new sheet music.

With participation from schools in every region of the United States, the campaign provides free access to newly commissioned works, professional learning opportunities, and a national platform to highlight the voices of students and educators through music.

“There’s a lot of music out there, but not all of it is accessible,” said Dr. James Weaver, director of performing arts and sports at the NFHS. “We’re incredibly proud to be part of a growing effort that delivers high-quality music, completely free, to hundreds of schools nationwide. These are not throwaway pieces. This is artistically rich, performance-ready literature that gives students something to be proud of, and that’s the kind of impact we want to see multiplied year after year.”

The 13 schools providing testimonials included: Glenwood Middle School (Chatham, Illinois); O’Fallon Township High School (O’Fallon, Illinois); Point Loma High School (San Diego, California); Whitko Jr/Sr High School (South Whitley, Indiana); Middlebrook School (Wilton, Connecticut); Lexington High School (Lexington, Texas); Uintah High School (Vernal, Utah); Chenango Forks High School (Binghamton, New York); Hall-Dale High School (Farmingdale, Maine); Port Chester High School (Rye Brook, New York); Harold L. Richards High School (Oak Lawn, Illinois); Frankfort High School (Frankfort, Indiana); and Widefield High School (Colorado Springs, Colorado).

The initiative is part of a broader national campaign coordinated by the NFHS performing arts department to expand access to high-quality music education and celebrate the essential role of the arts in student development. Through the annual initiative, the NFHS and its partners lead one of the largest coordinated music education outreach efforts in the country.

Plans are already underway to expand the Make Music Day collaboration next year to include separate choral pieces alongside the band and orchestra offerings.

“It has been incredible to see such global engagement with Make Music Day,” said Balmages, who is also director of MakeMusic Publications and digital education for Alfred Music and MakeMusic. “For me, this event showcases the importance of music to individuals, the significance of these music programs in schools, and the sheer power of music in our communities. It proves that music has ALWAYS been making a critical impact, but this event truly showcases it and, ironically, puts music back on center stage and in the spotlight, where it clearly belongs."

Performances and testimonials by the students can be viewed on the NFHS YouTube channel. Widefield's testimonials are included. 

It is estimated that more than 6.5 million students across 20,000 schools participate in music programs in the United States. Learn more about how NFHS is supporting the performing arts by visiting www.nfhs.org/activities.