The Foundation for Music Education recently announced that Round Rock ISD has four winners in the 2019 Mark of Excellence. The nationally recognized groups are:

  • Canyon Vista Middle School Honors Orchestra, directed by Ragan Whatley, selected as a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence / National Orchestra Honors Project.
  • Walsh Middle School Honor Band, directed by Jennifer Bergeron, selected as a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence / National Wind Band Honors Project.
  • Round Rock High School Wind Ensemble, directed by David Mobley, selected as a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence / National Wind Band Honors Project.
  • Round Rock High School Symphony Orchestra, directed by Sandra Vandertulip, selected as a Commended Winner in the Mark of Excellence / National Orchestra Honors Project.

“The adjudicators were so pleased with the amazing level of performance and the difficulty of the literature that was performed,” Foundation for Music Education’s Managing Director Rick Yancey said. “The students performed incredibly well, mature beyond their years, and that is a tribute to their talent, their training and their wonderful teachers.”

The Mark of Excellence consists of the National Wind Band Honors, National Choral Honors, National Orchestra Honors, National Jazz Honors, and National Percussion Ensemble Honors. Groups submit recordings to enter the national competition. The top quarter are selected as National Winners and the second quarter receive Commended Honors. This year 320 of the finest musical ensembles in the nation entered the competition, with entries coming from 38 states. All the groups receive recorded and written comments from the adjudicators, and also a compilation recording of the performances of the National Winners.

“I am so proud of all these ensembles representing the excellent program Round Rock ISD provides for fine arts to students,” Round Rock ISD Director of Fine Arts Lisa Roebuck said. “All these groups have worked very hard to add this recognition to their achievements.”

The Foundation for Music Education is dedicated to the support and advancement of music education.