Teacher gets Grammy Museum recognition

DUNDEE--When a music teacher gets a letter from the Grammy Museum it is a special day.
Patrick Dunham, music teacher for the Dundee Central School District, just recently received that letter.
The letter announced Dunham has been selected as a quarterfinalist for the 2019 Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum.
That puts Dunham as one of 188 music teachers from 171 cities to receive the distinction from more than 2,800 initial nominations submitted.
Dunham said,"I'm not even sure who nominated me, but I'm pleased to be in that group. I really enjoy seeing our students succeed."
The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators, kindergarten through college, in public or private schools who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.
Fifteen semifinalists will be announced in September. Those winners will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants. Then, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students' lives. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 61st Annual Grammy Awards and a range of Grammy Week events. The award was established in 2008 as a partnership between the Recording Academy and Anschutz Entertainment Group. The Grammy Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a greater understanding of the history and significance of music.