NCHS Teacher Steve Browne Up For Award
The Recording Academy and Grammy Museum recently announced the list of quarter finalists for the 2022 Music Educator Award, which is presented annually during GRAMMY Week in partnership with the Recording Academy. 219 music teachers from 204 cities are in the running, along with an additional 189 legacy applicants from 2021, who will also be eligible to win the 2022 award. Mr. Steve Browne, Nashville High School’s Music Director, was notified that he was included as one of the quarter finalists for this prestigious award.
Each year, one award recipient is selected from ten finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on student’s lives. The 8th 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 ten finalists will receive matching grants. Additionally, fifteen semifinalists will receive $550 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 and who demonstrates a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining musical 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, Mr. Hagne, who used a similar message “You can build anything you can imagine” stated Mr. Browne. “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 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 or 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 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.”
