Cape Elizabeth has been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the United States by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.

The Cape Elizabeth School Department is one of 527 districts across the country to receive the award in 2017, according to a news release. The designation is given to districts that demonstrate outstanding commitment to providing access to music education for all students.

To qualify, the department submitted a detailed application describing all aspects of its music program, which was reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.