The Recording Academy and Grammy Museum recently announced the list of quarterfinalists for the 2022 Music Educator Award, which is presented annually during GRAMMY Week in partnership with the Recording Academy. There were 219 music teachers from 204 cities in the running as quarterfinalists, along with 189 legacy applicants from 2021, who will also be eligible to win the 2022 award.
Mr. Steve Browne, Nashville’s Music Director, was notified that he was one of the quarterfinalists for this prestigious award.
Each year, one award recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students’ lives. The eighth annual honoree will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 64th GRAMMY Awards and a range of GRAMMY Week events. The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants. Additionally, 15 semifinalists will receive $500 honorarium with matching school grants.
The Music Educator Award recognizes current educators (kindergarten through college, both public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education in the schools. Mr. Browne has established a high quality music program that continuously meets these expectations. Several NCHS alumni are professional musicians or have pursued careers in music and music education. Mr. Browne has created many opportunities for music students to demonstrate their talents throughout the community. The community has been highly supportive of the school’s music programs both in attendance at events and through financial support for the program. This has enabled students to perform at such locations as Carnegie Hall in New York, at Disney World, at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans and at historic Faneuil Hall in Boston. This partnership with the community maintains the legacy of a strong music program at the high school and demonstrates support for the future.
If you can dream it, you can do it, is the simple but effective message Mr. Browne uses to motivate his students. “I was motivated as a student at NCHS by my shop teacher Hagne who had a similar message: ‘You can build anything you can imagine,'” Mr. Browne said. “I do my best to encourage my students to dream big, and then to practice and work hard to achieve that dream. I’m very proud of the many students who have been successful at living their dreams, whether it be just performing in a high school musical or concert or going on to become a professional musician. I have also seen music students successfully apply this approach in many other careers and facets of life. I am humbled to be considered for a national award like this, but I really see my reward in this achievement and success of my students.”
Mr. Begando, NCHS principal, stated: “NCHS and the Nashville community as a whole are very fortunate to have someone of Mr. Browne’s talents. The community benefits from the integration of music into the local culture. His strong support for the success of his students is very evident in the lives of the many students he has touched… just ask one. We are hopeful that he will be recognized by the Academy for his contributions and commitment to Music. Education.”
Watch a video nominating Mr. Browne for his award here.
Photo caption: The Nashville Community High School Band took second place in the 2019 Battle of the Bands at the Sugar Bowl and earned the Spirit Award. Here, Music Director Steve Browne poses with NCHS students and drum majors with hardware won during their time in New Orleans.
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