"For the past 10 years, the GRAMMY Signature Schools program has recognized and rewarded excellence in music education at U.S. public high schools," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy® and President of the GRAMMY Foundation. "These schools maintain high quality music programs that foster and demonstrate the significant role music can play in the lives of their students."
Each of the 14 GRAMMY Signature Schools will receive a custom award and a monetary grant to benefit the school's music program. The recipients are determined by a panel of top music educators and professionals. The selection process begins each year in September when the GRAMMY Foundation mails notification to more than 20,000 public high schools requesting information about each school's music program.
Applications are completed and submitted online in October. After the applications are scored, finalists are identified and asked to submit additional documentation, such as recordings of school concerts, sample concert programs and repertoire, which is then reviewed by an independent screening committee to determine which schools merit Signature School status.
HSPVA Principal Herbert Karpicke said, "The first time we were recognized by the GRAMMY Foundation it was an extreme honor, but to repeat four more times speaks to the enduring quality of our music programs, the consistent hard work of our students, the unwavering dedication of the HSPVA staff and the continuing support of HISD's administration and Board of Trustees."
HSPVA Music Department Coordinator Pat Bonner said, "This GRAMMY award recognizes the quality and quantity of our music offerings. I am so proud of our music faculty, students, and parents who are committed to maintaining such a high level of achievement."
