Ten Cy-Fair ISD Music Ensembles Win 2024 Foundation for Music Education Mark of Excellence Awards
Ten CFISD music ensembles were named winners of The Foundation of Music Education’s 2024 Mark of Excellence and Citation of Excellence awards in September.
The Foundation for Music Education is an organization dedicated to the support and advancement of music education. The Mark of Excellence project recognizes outstanding achievement in performance by high school and middle school bands, choirs and orchestras. The top 25% of entries are recognized as National Winners with the second 25% named as Commended Winners.
“I am incredibly proud of our music groups for earning recognition as National and Commended Winners from the Foundations for Music Education,” said Joe Glass, CFISD coordinator of secondary music. “Their dedication and passion not only elevate our community but also inspire future generations to embrace the enriching power of music.”
The Sprague Middle School Bella Voce was named a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence Treble Choir category by The Sprague Middle School Bella Voce, directed by Marie Parisot Olsen, was named a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence Treble Choir category.
“The Sprague Middle School choir team is immensely proud of our inaugural Bella Voce Treble Choir,” said Marie Parisot, Sprague choir director. “The 2023-24 Bella Voce singers were an ensemble of remarkable young women. They made our first year at Sprague exciting, brought joy into rehearsal every day and moved us to tears many times throughout the school year from the beauty of their music making. Although the time we had together was short, we will cherish it forever and cannot wait to see them continue singing with the Bridgeland High School Choir program. From Cubs to Bears, these singers have left us changed for the better.”
The Spillane Symphonic Winds, directed by John Barton, was named a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence Band category.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
The Truitt Middle Band, directed by Lisa Anikienko, was named a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence New Music Division for Middle School Band.
“The Truitt directors are so proud of the progress the group made over the course of the school year,” said Lisa Anikienko, Truitt band director. “They put in the work, came to sectionals, submitted video assignments, helped each other with pass offs and were prepared for rehearsals. We are excited to see what these students accomplish next.”
The Cook Middle School Varsity Tenor/Bass choir, directed by True Hernandez, was named a Mark of Excellence Commended Winner in the Middle School Open Class Choir category.
The Sprague Middle School Symphonic Winds were named a Mark of Excellence Commended Winner in the Band category The Sprague Middle School Symphonic Winds, directed by Stetson Begin, was named a Mark of Excellence Commended Winner in the Band category.
The Spillane Middle School Chamber Orchestra, directed by Jeannine Adams and Michelle Wollum, and the Anthony Middle School Chamber Orchestra, directed by Joanna Schess and Caleb Churchman were named Mark of Excellence Commended Winners in the Orchestra category.
“The Spillane Middle School orchestra is thrilled to be recognized as a Commended Winner alongside many outstanding middle school orchestras in the Mark of Excellence National Orchestra Honors competition,” said Jeannine Adams, Spillane orchestra director. “This achievement is a testament to our students’ commitment to excellence, the incredible support from our parents, clinicians, administration and the fantastic collaboration between my colleague, Ms. Wollum and myself.”
Mobile Sidebar Ad
“Chamber orchestra worked so hard on their attention to detail, their musicality and their tone,” said Joanna Schess, Anthony orchestra director. “Listening back to their recordings, I forgot they were in middle school. I am so proud of them!”
The Citation of Excellence project recognizes outstanding achievement in performance by non-varsity high school and middle school bands and orchestras. The top 25 percent of entries are recognized as Citation Winners with the second 25 percent named as Commended Winners.
The Spillane Middle School Symphonic Band, directed by Cole Smith, was named a Commended Winner in the Citation of Excellence Band category.
The Anthony Middle School Chamber Orchestra was named a Mark of Excellence Commended Winner in the Orchestra categoryThe Anthony Middle School Symphony Orchestra, directed by Caleb Churchman and Joanna Schess and the Cypress Ranch High School Symphony Orchestra, directed by Elizabeth Ledford, were named Commended Winners in the Citation of Excellence Orchestra category.
“Symphony orchestra blew me away with their hard work and dedication,” said Caleb Churchman, Anthony orchestra director. “This is just a culmination of all of their hard work.”
Visit foundationformusiceducation.org for more information.
Source: CFISD
