By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
San Benito CISD has been named a 2026 recipient of the Best Communities for Music Education Award by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM Foundation), a national recognition given to districts that demonstrate strong commitment to music education across funding, access, participation, and program quality.
The designation follows a detailed, data-driven application process led by the district’s Fine Arts Department. According to Director of Fine Arts Eradio “Roddy” Martinez, the submission required extensive documentation of the district’s programs and infrastructure.
“As Director of Fine Arts, I led the effort with support from our central office team,” Martinez said. “It was a comprehensive process. The application was about 30 pages and covered areas such as funding, staffing, student participation, facilities, and overall program vision.”
San Benito CISD offers a wide range of music opportunities that distinguish it nationally, Martinez noted.
In addition to traditional band, choir, and orchestra programs, students can participate in guitar, conjunto, flamenco guitar, and estudiantina. The district also provides music instruction across all 11 elementary campuses and offers additional performance groups, including mariachi, jazz band, and show choir.
“Many people are unaware that San Benito CISD offers more music programs than the majority of our neighboring school districts,” Martinez said. “In a time where most communities are voting against bonds and school districts are cutting music programs, our Greyhound Nation has never wavered in its support of our music students.”
Music education reaches students districtwide, beginning at the elementary level, where all students receive regular instruction and can participate in activities such as Music Memory competitions and the Fifth Grade All-City Choir.
At the secondary level, programs are organized into three primary areas: band, choir, and a newer strings department that includes orchestra, conjunto, and guitar, along with specialized ensembles and after-school performance groups.
Participation data from the district indicate that approximately 100% of elementary students receive music instruction at least once a week, while about 65–70% of middle school students and roughly 20% of high school students were enrolled in a music class at the start of the 2025–26 school year.
Martinez said the recognition is competitive and requires districts to demonstrate consistency in funding, staffing, participation, and access, with applications reviewed by an independent research organization.
“This recognition validates that the strategic plans our district has put in place are working,” he said. “It affirms that the systems and opportunities we are creating are making an impact and shows our community that their investment in music education is paying off.”
Martinez said the district plans to expand music opportunities and encouraged continued community support as programs grow, including development tied to the long-awaited performing arts center, which is under construction.
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