The Plano ISD music program begins at the elementary school level with a sequential, developmental, literacy oriented General Music curriculum delivered by a highly qualified Music Specialist approximately 50-55 minutes per week. This instruction is enhanced at the individual campus level by a variety of extra-curricular ensembles and the select auditioned Plano Children's Chorale made up of Fifth Graders from across the district.

Students in Plano ISD satisfy the state requirement of one Fine Arts course in grade 6-8 by selecting either Band, Choir or Orchestra as a Sixth Grade elective. These students participate in one local festival event at the end of their introductory year. Students may choose to continue in their chosen ensemble program by participating in leveled ensembles that provide the appropriate level of challenge and support for each student. Seventh and Eighth Grade ensembles participate in UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Festival in the Spring of each year. Instruction may be enhanced by extra-curricular specialty ensembles such as jazz band or pop choir and the opportunity to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival and audition for All-Region ensembles.

Students who wish to continue their musical learning may do so through more advanced Band, Choir and Orchestra ensembles. Students are placed in leveled ensembles based on their audition. Band includes required participation in the Marching Band component at this level. Students at this level have the opportunity to participate in UIL Marching Contest, UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Festival, Solo and Ensemble Festival, extra-curricular specialty ensembles such as jazz band or pop choir and the TMEA All-State selection process through various levels of auditions. Ensembles at the 9-10 level travel to an out of town performance festival every other year. All of these ensembles meet the state graduation requirement of one fine arts credit.

Students who wish to continue their musical learning may do so through the most advanced Band, Choir and Orchestra ensembles. Students are placed in leveled ensembles based on their audition. Jazz Band and Show Choir membership is offered for credit, based on a successful audition, and requires membership in the corresponding concert ensemble. Band includes required participation in the Marching Band component at this level. Students at this level have the opportunity to participate in UIL Marching Contest, UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Festival, UIL Solo and Ensemble Festival and the TMEA All-State selection process through various levels of auditions. Ensembles at the 11-12 level may travel to an out of town performance festival every year. Student may take Band, Choir or Orchestra Honors in a course by participating in instuction with an added emphasis on proficiency of repertoire, advanced technical skills, advanced theory and aural skills, critical performance evaluation and the development of a personal portfolio of advanced work samples. (Read More) In addition to ensemble music, students may take Music Studies, AP Music Theory or Music Theory 2 Honors to further their understanding of musical structures, sight-reading skills and compositional techniques. All of these courses meet the state graduation requirement of one fine arts credit.

2019 - 2020

• 69 All-State Musicians
• Four Year All-State Musicians - Bryan Han, Kevin Meng & Eddie Xu - Plano West SHS and David Park - Plano SHS
• Southwest ACDA Invited High School Choir: Plano East Senior High Concert Choir
• Essentially Ellington Finalist: Plano West Jazz Ensemble

2018 - 2019

• 77 All-State Musicians
• Four Year All-State Musicians - Leon Chen, Yenna Lee-Gannon, Iris Lin, Samatha Liu & Eric Zhang - Plano West SHS
• TMEA Invited High School Choir: Plano West Senior High School Mixed Choir
• TMEA Honor String Orchestra: Plano West Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• ACDA Invited High School Choir: Plano East Senior High School Men's Chorus
• Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic Invitational Performance: Plano West Senior High School Chamber Orchestra

2017 - 2018

• 79 All-State Musicians
• Four Year All-State Musicians - Nevin Ahire, Sooyong Lee & Kevin Lin - Plano West SHS and Lindia Tjuatja - Plano East SHS
• TMEA Invited Middle School Choir: Rice Middle School Men’s Chorus
• TMEA Invited Middle School Choir: Robinson Middle School Treble Choir
• TMEA Middle School String Honor Orchestra: Rice Middle School Chamber Orchestra
• TMEA High School Honor Full Orchestra: Plano West Senior High School Symphony Orchestra
• Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic Invitational Performance: Plano Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• Jazz Education Network Invitational Performance: Plano West Senior High School Jazz Band

2016 - 2017

• 76 All-State Musicians
• Four Year All-State Musicians - Gahwon Lee - Plano West SHS
• TMEA Invited High School Choir: Plano Senior High School Women's Choir
• American Choral Directors Association Conference Invited Performance:Plano Senior High Men's Chorus

2015 - 2016

• 83 All-State Musicians
• Four Year All-State Musicians - Brent He & Vinay Thomas - Plano East SHS, Hnason Yong - Plano SHS and Hayley Leavell - Plano West SHS
• TMEA High School Honor String Orchestra: Plano West Senior High School Full Orchestra
• TMEA Middle School Honor Full Orchestra: Robinson Middle School Full Orchestra
• TMEA Invited Jazz Band: Plano West Senior High School
• Southwest Division American Choral Directors Association Conference Invited Performance: Plano East Men's Chorus
• John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Flag of Honor Award: Plano East Senior High School Band Program

2014 - 2015

• 85 All-State Musicians
• Four Year All-State Musicians - Derek Yan & Justin Yan - Plano West SHS
• TMEA High School Honor Full Orchestra: Plano Senior High School Full Orchestra
• John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Cup Award: Rice Middle School Band Program

2013 - 2014

• 68 All-State Musicians
• Four Year All-State Musicians - Matthew Du & Jordan Lee - Plano West SHS and Joel Guo - Plano East SHS
• TMEA High School Honor Full Orchestra: Jasper High School Full Orchestra
• TMEA Junior High/Middle School Full Orchestra: Robinson Middle School Full Orchestra
• TMEA Invited Middle School Choir: Vines High School Treble Choir
• Southwest Division American Choral Directors Association Conference Invited Performance: Plano West Mixed Choir
• MS/JS National Conference for Choral Music Invited Choir: Otto Middle School Treble Choir
• MS/JS National Conference for Choral Music Invited Choir: Robinson Middle School Mixed Choir

 2012 - 2013

• 73 All-State Musicians
• TMEA Invited Middle School Choir: Rice Middle School Treble Choir
• TMEA Invited Middle School Choir: Robinson Middle School Treble Choir
• American Choral Directors Association Conference Performance: Plano Senior High School A Cappella Choir
• John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Shield Award: Plano East Marching Band

2011 - 2012

• 76 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School Honor Full Orchestra: Plano Senior High School Symphony Orchestra
• American Choral Directors Associatio MS/JH Confrerence Invited Choir: Rice Middle School Tenor/Bass Choir

 2010 - 2011

• 72 All-State Musicians
• TMEA Invited High School Choir: Shepton High School Mixed Choir
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra: Plano East Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• Grammy® Signature School Gold Award:  Plano West Senior High School

2009 – 2010

• 77 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano West Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• Organization of American Kodály Educators Conference Performance: Plano Children’s Chorale

2008 - 2009

• 62 All-State Musicians
• TMEA Invited High School Choir: Plano Senior High School A-Cappella Women’s Choir
• TMEA High School Honor Full Orchestra:  Plano Senior High School Symphony Orchestra
• TMEA Middle School Honor String Orchestra:  Robinson Middle School Chamber Orchestra
• TMEA High School Honor String Orchestra:  Plano East Senior High School Chamber Orchestra

2007 - 2008

• 66 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano West Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• TMEA Middle School String Honor Orchestra:  Rice Middle School Orchestra
• Grammy® Signature School Gold Award:  Plano Senior High School 

2006 - 2007

• 68 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School Full Honor Orchestra: Plano Senior High School Symphony Orchestra
• TMEA Middle School Full Honor Orchestra:  Haggard Middle School Full Orchestra
• TMEA Invited Elementary Choir: Plano Children’s Chorale
• American Choral Directors Association Conference Performance: Plano Senior High School A Cappella Women’s Choir
• National Wind Band Honors Award: Plano SHS Wind Ensemble
• National Wind Band Honors Award: Rice MS Wind Ensemble

2005 - 2006

• 45 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra: Plano West Senior High School Chamber Orchestra

2004 - 2005

• 40 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano East Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• National School Board Association Conference Performance: Plano East Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival: Plano Senior High School Jazz Ensemble
• Grammy® Signature School Gold Award:  Plano Senior High School

2003 - 2004

• 50 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano West Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• TMEA Invited High School Choir: Plano West Senior High School A Cappella Women’s Choir
• TMEA Invited Middle School Choir: Robinson Middle School Tenor/Bass Choir
• Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic performance:  Plano Senior High School Symphony Orchestra

2002 - 2003

• 43 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano East Senior High School Chamber Orchestra  
• TMEA Invited Middle School Choir:: Wilson Middle School Tenor/Bass Choir
• Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic performance:  Plano West Senior High School Symphony Orchestra
• National School Board Association Conference Performance: Plano East Senior High School Chamber Orchestra

2001 - 2002

• 41 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano West Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic performance:  Plano East Senior High School Wind Ensemble

2000 - 2001

• 39 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano East Senior High School Chamber Orchestra

1999 - 2000

• 40 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• TMEA Invited High School Choir: Plano Senior High School A Cappella Choir
• International Association of Jazz Educators Conference Performance: Plano East Senior High School Sound Invention

1998 - 1999

• 36 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano East Senior High School Chamber Orchestra 
• Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic performance:  Plano Senior High School Symphony Strings

1997 - 1998

• 28 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• Music Educators National Conference Performance:  Plano Senior High School Symphony Orchestra

1996 - 1997

• 29 All-State Musicians
• International Association of Jazz Educators Conference Performance: Plano East Senior High School Sound Invention

1995 - 1996

• 21 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School Honor Choir: Plano Senior High School A Cappella Choir

1994-1995

• 19 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• Southwest Division American Choral Directors Association Conference Performance:  Plano Senior High School A Cappella Choir

1993 - 1994

• 22 All-State Musicians
• Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic performance:  Plano Senior High School Symphony Orchestra

1992 - 1993

• 21 All-State Musicians
• TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra:  Plano Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• International Association of Jazz Educators Conference Performance: Plano East Senior High School Sound Invention
• American Choral Directors Association Conference Performance: Plano East Senior High School Sound Invention

1991 - 1992

• 22 All-State Musicians
• TMEA Invited High School Choir: Plano East Senior High School Sound Invention

1990-1991

• 24 All-State Musicians
• TMEA Middle School Honor Band: Haggard Middle School Symphonic Band