The Irvine Unified School District has earned the Best Communities for Music Education award for the ninth consecutive year. The NAMM Foundation honor, granted to just 4% of schools in the U.S., celebrates innovative and resourceful music education programs. “IUSD has made an unwavering commitment to arts and music education,” says Brad Van Patten, IUSD director of arts education. “We are proud to offer robust programming for all of our students.” Van Patten thanked community partners, including Irvine Company, which has provided a 20-year, $45 million commitment to help fund IUSD’s music, arts and science education.