Franklin High's spring concert season kicks off tonight with performances by the concert orchestra, symphonic orchestra and jazz band. Thursday, the percussion ensemble, concert band, symphonic band and marching band take the stage, and the final concert on Wednesday, May 2, features the GY guitar ensemble, chorus and honors chorale.

All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and admission is free.

Owings Mills High School hosts a guitar show at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 26.

Baltimore County Public Schools was recently named one of the nation’s “Best Communities for Music Education” by the NAMM Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to music-making.

Baltimore County schools received this award in 2004 and every year since 2006, according to press release.

“It is an honor,” said Tim Brown, a music teacher at Franklin High School who directs the school’s jazz band, concert orchestra and concert band.

He said teachers try to be enthusiastic.

“If the kids aren’t having fun and they don’t like it, they’re not going to come back,” he said.

Baltimore County employs more music teachers than any other jurisdiction in Maryland, giving students the opportunity to learn electronic music, world music and take Advanced Placement music theory, according to a county press release.

Research shows strong correlations between quality music education in school and academic achievement, according to the NAMM Foundation.

Franklin and other area schools have alumni who have gone on to study music in college, and continue to hone their craft to this day, some locally and some on tour.