HPHS Band Director Josh Chodoroff has been selected as one of just 25 semifinalists nationwide for the Grammy Foundation and The Recording Academy’s Music Educator Award, out of more than 7,000 teachers who were nominated and submitted applications! The award is designed to recognize a music educator who has “made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrates a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.” Approximately 200 top scorers from among the original 7,000 applications were named quarterfinalists, who were then asked to submit additional materials in the form of videos and essays. These submissions were reviewed and scored by a screening committee comprised of music educators and other professionals. The top scoring teachers were named semifinalists. The videos and essays will now be reviewed by a Blue Ribbon Committee consisting of music education professionals, GRAMMY Foundation Board members and members of the Recording Academy, which will determine the nine finalists and winner of the Music Education Award. “I am grateful to the Grammy Foundation for highlighting the essential role that music education plays in the lives of students, and I am honored to be recognized as one of the many music teachers that work passionately and tirelessly to develop young people into creative, thinking and feeling individuals,” Chodoroff said. Chodoroff said he loves his job because it allows him to combine two things about which he is extremely passionate: Working with students, and making music. “I consider myself very fortunate to get to go to work every day and share music with energetic, hard-working, and caring young people. The creativity, eagerness to learn, and commitment to excellence of my students are a constant source of inspiration for me. Watching their growth both as musicians and as people is incredibly rewarding,” said Chodoroff, who started as the band teacher at HPHS this year and spent 11 years prior to that teaching all levels of band at Waubonsie Valley High School. “I am so proud to be a part of the HPHS faculty, and look forward to many wonderful years with the incredible staff, students, and community here in Highland Park. I am excited for what the future holds, but am also so thankful for my many wonderful years at Waubonsie Valley. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have worked in two amazing high schools.” “Josh is so deserving of this honor, and we are very lucky he joined our community this past year. Josh has a deep love for his students, and his talents are endless,” said HPHS Fine Arts Chair Amy Burnetti. The award will be presented at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony and Nominees Reception during GRAMMY Week in February 2015. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the award and attend the GRAMMYs, and they will receive a $10,000 honorarium, along with a $10,000 grant for his/her school. The nine finalists and their schools each will receive a $1,000 honorarium.
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 20:22:10 +0000
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