April 27, 2026, Vista, CA – The Vista Unified School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award from The NAMM Foundation for their outstanding support and commitment to music education. This is the third consecutive year that Vista Unified has received the award from the NAMM Foundation.
Now in its 27th year, the program continues to spotlight and celebrate school districts and individual schools across the United States for their exemplary dedication to music education and their ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to music learning as part of a well-rounded education.
The award reaches K-12 communities nationwide, offering both recognition and momentum to strengthen and expand music education programs. In 2026, more than 1,000 school districts and schools—including public, private, charter, and parochial institutions—have been recognized for outstanding achievement in providing access to high-quality music education.
Commitment to the Arts
“It gives our district great pride to receive this important award for the third year in a row,” says VUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Doyle.
“This honor recognizes the tremendous talent and abilities of our students across all grade levels. We are truly blessed to have amazing teachers and support staff that created the learning environment to promote excellence in music, education, and performance.”
“For the third consecutive year, this recognition affirms our belief that music education is not an extra—it is an essential part of student success,” says
Susan Stuber, VUSD’s Visual & Performing Arts Resource Teacher.
“We remain committed to providing every student with access to inspiring and enriching music programs across our district.”
Recipients of the 2026 BCME Awards were selected through a comprehensive application and review process that evaluates key indicators, including funding, instructional time, participation rates, facilities, and community support. To uphold the program’s rigor and credibility, all applications were independently reviewed and verified by WolfBrown, a leading research and evaluation firm specializing in education and the arts.
About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is the charitable arm of the National Association of Music Merchants, the global trade association for the music products industry. The foundation works to remove systemic barriers that limit access to music-making and career pathways in the music industry. By investing in bold ideas and innovative solutions, we strive to build inclusive and thriving musical communities. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.
Contact to speak with Vista USD leaders about the award.
Images from this press release + others are available here.
Images courtesy of Vista Unified School District.
