Walter Reed Music Department Wins Countywide Award

The teachers of the music program at Walter Reed Middle School found out Tuesday that they won the prestigious BRAVO Award from the Music Center, in a competition that included every school of every grade in Los Angeles County.

"All of our teachers do an excellent job, and we've always known about our music teachers doing so well, so it's nice that they're being recognized for their exceptional work," said Reed Principal Donna Tobin. "I'm so proud. They were up against schools from all over the county."

Stephen McDonough  of the band and orchestra, Janice Kueppers who leads the choir and Jessica Johnson who works with the orchestra are the three teachers honored for  Outstanding Leadership in Arts Education.

The Music Department award means $3,500 for the school program, which has a choir, orchestra, wind ensemble, barber shop quartets, jazz bands and other musical programs. This weekend they're performing

 The BRAVO Award was established in 1982 to recognize teachers and schools for creativity, innovation and excellence in arts education. 

BRAVO Awards are presented in three categories; schools, arts specialist teacher, general classroom teacher. 

"Now I'm ready to see e at least three times," Tobin said.