Director of Bands wins national award

Music educators from across the country had to be nominated by one of their students

Boyertown Area Senior High School’s Director of Bands, Brian Langdon, has recently been named a 2016 National Music Education Idol as part of 21st Century Fox’s and the Give a Note Foundation’s MusicEd Idol competition. Langdon is one of 20 teachers selected out of 500 national applicants to receive a $1,000 grant for his school’s music program.

In order to be entered into the MusicEd Idol competition, music educators from across the country had to be nominated by one of their students.

The competition invited students to nominate educators who inspired them to dream big and follow their passion for music. Langdon was nominated by senior Caroline Lewis who crafted a video testimonial that featured interviews with students, parents, and alumni explaining the impact Langdon had on dozens of lives.

“Boyertown Area Senior High is very fortunate to have Mr. Langdon as a teaching professional in our Music Department. His outstanding work with our music students is a testament to reciprocal respect he has from his students through the rapport he builds with them. Mr. Langdon has done an outstanding job in working to promote a positive school climate through Music Education and his musicians are key contributors to the climate of our building and to our communities that comprise the Boyertown Area School District,” said Boyertown Area Senior High School Principal Dr. Brett Cooper. “We are very fortunate to have his ser- vices as a Music Educator for our school and for the students of our community. On behalf of the administration, faculty, and staff of Boyertown Area Senior High, I would like to congratulate Mr. Langdon on this honor.”

Langdon explained that the grant money will go towards buying more drums for the band or new microphones and recording equipment for the music production course Boyertown Area Senior High School offers.

“We appreciate the continued support of 21st Cen- tury Fox to reach more students in more schools with the power of music,” said Jane Mell Balek, Give a Note Chief Executive Officer. “This is a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on great music programs, which benefit students in all U. S. schools. These stories cannot be told enough, and we encourage communities to support their local school’s music programs and the teachers who make them possible.”

Since 2011, 21st Century Fox businesses have donated more than $1 million to underfunded music programs in schools across the country, as part of the company’s commitment to support the next generation of artists and creators.

“We were so inspired by the students who submitted nominations and the music educators who motivate them every day to work hard and achieve their dreams,” said Shira Oberlander, Executive Director of Social Impact for 21st Century Fox. “We are thrilled to support these teachers in their work to make a difference in students’ lives.”