Credit: Hatboro-Horsham School District.
The Hatboro-Horsham School District continues to earn national recognition for its commitment to music education. For the second year in a row, the district has been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAM) Foundation.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Eveslage shared the update during the district’s December Hat Chat Minute, filmed from the instrumental music room at Keith Valley Middle School.
"Throughout December, Hatboro-Horsham student musicians filled our schools and community with music, creativity, and holiday spirit," Dr. Eveslage said. "From elementary performances to high school ensembles, our music programs provided countless opportunities for students to showcase their talents while bringing people together.
“As you can see, music is thriving in Hatboro-Horsham,” he added.
At the elementary level, participation in music remains strong. On Jan. 15, 5th-grade instrumental students from all four elementary schools will perform together at Hatboro-Horsham High School in a joint concert. Each elementary school also hosts a schoolwide holiday singalong, providing students an opportunity to celebrate traditions and build school community through music.
Music offerings expand at Keith Valley Middle School, where all students receive music instruction and many choose performing arts as a major elective. This year, more than 200 7th- and 8th-grade students selected performing arts as their major, with over 50 students participating in more than one performing arts ensemble. Middle school musicians have already performed at community events, including the Keith Valley ribbon-cutting ceremony and the annual Veterans Day breakfast.
Additional opportunities for middle school students include attending a dress rehearsal with the Philadelphia Opera Company and participation in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Songfest, where select students will collaborate with peers from across the county.
At Hatboro-Horsham High School, students are preparing for upcoming PMEA events, and the district will host the PMEA District 11 Choir Festival this spring. The festival will bring more than 150 students from Montgomery and Bucks counties to the district for a regional choral experience.
The high school’s indoor percussion ensemble is also being recognized for recent achievements, earning first place at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Percussion Championships and third place at the WGI World Championships.
A new music production and technology elective, partially funded by a grant from the Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation, introduces students to sound design and music creation. Another foundation-supported program, Hatter’s Rock, gives students the chance to perform, collaborate, and explore contemporary music styles through a modern rock ensemble.
With high student participation, a broad range of offerings, and continued national recognition, the district’s music program remains a central part of Hatboro-Horsham’s educational offerings.
