Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

 08/30/01

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn High School Music Department
Earns GRAMMY

For the second time, the Auburn High School music department has been chosen as one of the finest music programs in the country by the nationally recognized GRAMMY program.  Determined on the basis of a scoring system applied by a panel of top music educators and professionals, Auburn High School is one of 100 high schools from across the country to receive a certificate of recognition based on their high level of commitment to music education.  The high school received this prestigious award two years ago.  Kevin Paustian is the Auburn High School music department chair and band instructor.

To begin the selection process, last September, the GRAMMY Foundation mailed applications to more than 18,000 public high schools from districts large and small, urban and rural, performing arts magnets and those with limited music budgets, requesting information about the school’s music programs which were submitted to an independent data compilation firm for processing.  Upon request, some schools were asked to submit additional documentation such as recordings of school concerts, sample concert programs, music curriculum and repertoire which was reviewed by an independent screening committee to determine the school’s meriting Signature School status.  One hundred schools receive certificates of recognition and ten schools will be named GRAMMY Signature Schools “Gold.”  Auburn High School’s music department is also eligible for this prestigious award and will be notified by mid-March.

The GRAMMY Foundation, a non-profit arm of the Recording Academy, is dedicated to advancing music and arts-based education across the country and ensuring access to America’s rich cultural legacy. 

For more information, contact Kevin Paustian, AHS band director, at (253) 931-4880.