Jefferson-Scranton wins recognition for music

A west-central Iowa school district has been named one of the “Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America” by the American Music Conference. Becky Greiner is the high school band director for the Jefferson-Scranton Community Schools which has made the national list twice now in the past three years. She credits an active booster organization, dedicated parents and a full music staff in the K-12 system. Greiner says the Jefferson-Scranton schools have long had a tradition of being strong in music, saying the district had one of Iowa’s premiere jazz bands back in the 1960s and 70s. She says the students really have an opportunity to excel in the smaller rural schools, she says the students are able to do a lot of things, from music to sports. Greiner is in her 15th year at the Jefferson-Scranton school district and says she’s seen continued progress in the musical arts in Greene County. She says by the time students reach her high school band room, they’re already talented musicians, thanks to the work of the middle school band director, who happens to be her brother.Jefferson-Scranton is the only Iowa district listed on the annual survey by a partnership of leading music and educational organizations, which named the top communities for music education nationwide. The list covers 30 states and includes school districts “whose commitment to quality music education-measured across a variety of economic, curricular and programmatic criteria-has enabled them to excel despite the many pressures that are hampering programs across the country.” Learn more at the American Music Conference website — “www.amc-music.org”.