Tomball Memorial High School Chamber Orchestra Wins National Honors in 2025 Mark of Excellence Competition
Tomball Memorial High School’s Chamber Orchestra has earned national acclaim, officially being named a National Winner in the 2025 Mark of Excellence National Orchestra Honors Project. The recognition—granted by the Foundation for Music Education—places TMHS among just eight high school orchestras across the country to receive the honor this year.
Each year, the Mark of Excellence program draws hundreds of entries from across 40 states, representing the most accomplished student musicians in the United States. The award celebrates performance excellence while providing valuable feedback to all participating ensembles. For Tomball Memorial’s program, the win is a significant milestone—and a return to the top, having last secured National Winner status in 2021.
“Being recognized by the Mark of Excellence National Orchestra Honors Project is a testament to the dedication of our fantastic student musicians that we have here at Memorial,” said Peter Jagdeo, head orchestra director at Tomball Memorial High School.
This year’s competition was especially competitive, with ensembles evaluated by a panel of nationally respected adjudicators. Tomball Memorial’s win places them in the top 25% of entrants, with only a small percentage receiving National Winner status. The recognition is not only a reflection of musical talent, but also of the culture of commitment that runs deep within the Tomball ISD fine arts pipeline.
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“Our students are well trained across the district at a very early age in our elementary, intermediate, and junior high schools,” Jagdeo explained, “which allows them to compete on a national stage when they come to us at the high school level.”
The Foundation for Music Education, which manages the Mark of Excellence project, aims to encourage growth, provide recognition, and foster continued excellence in music education programs. All participants receive feedback and compilation recordings of winning performances, with awardees recognized in national publications and at major music conventions.
For Tomball Memorial, the 2025 award follows previous designations as Commended Winners in both the string and full orchestra divisions. This year’s elevation to National Winner affirms the strength of the program—and the leadership guiding it.
“It is very easy to see and hear that our students are very good,” Jagdeo added, “but it is encouraging to know that their talent sets a standard of excellence not just in our community, but in our country.”
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The recognition also signals Tomball ISD’s ongoing commitment to fine arts education, which begins in early grades and prepares students for opportunities like this on a national level. TMHS’s Chamber Orchestra stands not only as a reflection of individual dedication, but also as a shining example of a community that values the arts.
“We are proud to represent Tomball ISD at this level,” said Jagdeo. “This award belongs to every student, teacher, and family who has helped build this program from the ground up.”
As one of the country’s top eight high school orchestra programs in 2025, Tomball Memorial continues to set a high bar for student musicianship—and once again proves that excellence takes root early and grows stronger with support.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
