Five Plano ISD Music Ensembles Earn National Excellence Awards

October 17, 2008

Five Plano ISD music ensembles have been recognized as national winners by Choice Music Events, which has published the results of its 2008 Mark of Excellence/ National Wind Band and Choral Honors Project contests. Representing a record number of national winners in this competition for Plano ISD are the following outstanding performing ensembles.

'Mark of Excellence'

Class 5A Band Division

• Plano East Senior High School Wind Ensemble
  Evelio Villarreal, director

Class 2A Band Division

• Rice Middle School Wind Ensemble
  Jason Tucker, director
• Schimelpfenig Middle School Wind Ensemble
  Martha Ball, director

Music Division

• Jasper High School Wind Ensemble
  Jackie Digby, director  

Middle School Treble Choir Division

• Rice Middle School Advanced Treble Choir
  Terri Hamilton, director

The Mark of Excellence/National Wind Band and Choral Honors Project "seeks to recognize and award outstanding achievement in performance by high school and middle school choirs...A unique competitive environment is created that allows ensembles to compare their performance quality to that of other outstanding groups from across the country." 

Directors submit audio recordings of their ensemble at the conclusion of the school year. The recordings are judged by a panel of three professional conductors who provide detailed critiques.

For more information, visit Choice Music Events.