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Middle School Band Instructor Nominated for Music Center’s Bravo Award

Tony Bancroft honored for providing exemplary music education in El Segundo

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., - February 13, 2004 –Band Instructor Tony Bancroft has been nominated to receive a Bravo Award from The Music Center of Los Angeles County for providing exemplary music education to El Segundo Middle School students. Bancroft is one of 60 teachers and schools vying for three Bravos that will be presented at a gala awards dinner to be held February 24 at Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

El Segundo Middle School administrators and parents nominated Bancroft last fall for the prestigious Bravo Award. “This Bravo nomination means Mr. Bancroft is considered to be among the top music teachers in LA County,” said principal Dr. Dan Webb. “His love of music is infectious. He really knows how to inspire his students, to reach them through music.”

The Music Center Education Division established the Bravo Awards in 1982 to recognize outstanding arts educators. Each year the Music Center presents one Bravo to a school, one to an arts teacher, and one to a general classroom teacher. This year there are nine schools, 11 generalist teacher nominees and 40 arts specialist teacher nominees, of whom Bancroft is one. Of the 51 nominated teachers, 23 are elementary teachers, 11 are middle school teachers, and 17 are high school teachers. The winning school will receive $10,000, and the two winning teachers will receive $4,000 each. All nominees, finalists and winners receive prizes including books, tickets to performances, and educational opportunities.

Principals, faculty committees, superintendents, or parents nominate educators who must complete the Music Center’s rigorous application process to be considered for a Bravo Award. A committee of educators and artists reviews every application and selects the finalists, who will be featured in videos at the dinner.

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Bancroft nominated for Bravo

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“I am honored to be nominated for a Bravo,” Bancroft said. “I have dedicated my life to teaching music to kids, and I really believe in what I do.” Bancroft has written a primer for the parents of band and orchestra students called Mastering Musical Gifts that will be available in bookstores this spring. “It’s very exciting to have developed a practical tool for parents who wish to help their children develop a lifelong love of music,” Bancroft said.

Founded in 1979, the Music Center Education Division is a national leader in arts education and serves one million students and teachers each year. Call 213 972-3386 for information about the Bravo Awards or the gala.

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