For the second straight year, Mundelein High School was recognized as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education (BCME)” in the nation. This unique and prestigious award is given by the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation.

“We are so proud of our music staff, students and community supporters - they’re in an elite class,” said MHS Principal Alexandria Rios Taylor. “To receive this award for a second straight year proves that our program has sustained success.”

The award, a signature program of NAMM, recognizes and celebrates schools and districts for their support and commitment to music education and efforts to assure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education.

“These districts and schools demonstrate that access to music learning helps students thrive, in school and in life, and we celebrate their dedication to creating inclusive learning environments,” said Julia Rubio, Executive Director of The NAMM Foundation.

The program is led by MHS Band Directors Andy Sturgeon and Jerry Shelato, Choral Director Cory Thompson and Fine Arts Department Chair Rich Stiles.

The MHS music program’s bands, choirs and individual students regularly win awards at competitions throughout the year, including four band students who were accepted into the Illinois Music Education Association’s (ILMEA) All State level ensembles, putting them in the top 2 percent of all musicians in the state.

The program provides many opportunities for students to improve, with clinics from renowned musicians and composers from across the world and invites to some of the top festivals in the country.

MHS also shares musical opportunities across its own community, hosting an 8th grade Rockstars choral event, an All-Star night with 8th grade band students and sending its high school music students on a Fine Arts Tour to area middle schools.

Following is a list of some MHS Music Department highlights during the past year:

• October - Invited musicians from Cuba to provide students with a diverse musical experience. Students also received clinics and a final performance.
• October - 8th grade Rockstars choral event that included all 8th graders from sender schools.
• November - 21 MHS students from both choir and band are accepted into ILMEA District 7 Honors groups, marking a huge success for each individual.
• November - Collaborative concert with Evanston Township HS on our own stage. 
• November - The Honors Wind Ensemble invited to perform at the University of Illinois for a joint concert
• December - Four MHS students are accepted into ILMEA ALL State level ensembles (putting them in the top 2 percent of all musicians in the state).
• December - Collaboration with world-renowned band composer, Randall Standridge, in a clinic and performance of his music.
• December - SPOTLIGHT successfully funded thousands of dollars to be injected back into the choral students.
• January - 8th grade All Star night with all 8th grade band students from sender schools.
• January - FIne Arts Tour to all sender middle schools, showcasing all of our fine arts programs that are opportunities to all students at all levels.
• January - The Honors Jazz Ensemble earns 1st place at the Purdue Jazz Festival (top competition in the country).
• February - Invited the Capital Jazz Ensemble to clinic all band students in small groups during class.
• February - Sound, the premiere co-ed show choir at MHS, won awards for Best Choreography, Best Vocals and Overall Grand Champion (for the second time in three years) at the Fort Atkinson (WI) Showcase. Reverb, the MHS Co-Ed Prep Show Choir, was named Overall Prep Division Champion.
• February - Reverb, finished as First Runner-Up in the Prep Division at the Great River Invitational in Davenport, IA. Noise was First Runner-Up for Best Band and Sound and the MHS Varsity Show Choir was Fourth Runner-Up overall.
• March - The MHS Honors Jazz Ensemble is invited to the Jazz Showcase in Chicago in collaboration with Bob Lark's Alumni Big Band (pro group based out of Chicago).
• March - MHS hosted the 58th Annual Mundelein Jazz Invitational with over 50 bands from across IL in attendance.
• April - The Honors Wind Ensemble earned entry into the annual Illinois Superstate Festival (All State Performance).
• April - “Something Rotten” musical is performed for hundreds of community members.
• May - MHS hosts the Night of Jazz fundraiser, putting funds back into students within the band.