Photo Credit: CFISDMusic
20 CFISD music ensembles earn 2026 Mark of Excellence honors
Twenty CFISD music ensembles were named winners of The Foundation for Music Education’s 2026 Mark of Excellence and Citation of Excellence awards.
The Mark of Excellence and Citation of Excellence project seeks to recognize and award outstanding achievement in performance by high school and middle school bands, choirs and orchestras. The project gathers entries from across the United States and provides valuable feedback for all entries. The top 25% of entrants are recognized as national winners, with the next quarter recognized as commended winners. Mark of Excellence awards honor high school and middle school bands, choirs and orchestras, while Citation of Excellence awards honors non-varsity groups.
The following CFISD ensembles were named Mark of Excellence National Winners:
· Cypress Creek High School Wind Ensemble Band
· Smith Middle School Symphonic Winds Band
· Sprague Middle School Symphonic Winds Band
· Bridgeland High School Chorale Choir
· Cypress Falls High School Varsity Women’s Choir
· Sprague Bel Canto Choir
· Smith Chamber Orchestra
· Sprague Chamber Orchestra
“This national recognition is a tremendous honor for the Cypress Creek High School Wind Ensemble and a reflection of the dedication, artistry and perseverance of our students,” said Kevin Wood, Cypress Creek head band director. “Every rehearsal, performance and challenge throughout the year represents countless hours of hard work and a shared commitment to excellence. I am incredibly proud of these students and grateful for the support of our families, campus and district. Being named a National Winner in the Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence competition is a wonderful achievement, and it is especially meaningful because it recognizes the musical growth and exceptional work of our students.”
Added Matthew Perez, Cypress Falls choir director: “Having both of our varsity choirs recognized by the Foundation for Music Education is an incredible honor for our students and our entire Cypress Falls community. These recognitions represent so much more than the performances themselves. They reflect the countless hours of rehearsal, commitment, trust and pride these students bring to our program every day. I am incredibly proud of what they accomplished together, and it is exciting to see their hard work recognized on a national level.”
The following CFISD ensembles were named Mark of Excellence Commended Winners:
· Jersey Village High School Wind Ensemble Band
· Arnold Middle School Symphonic Winds Band
· Rowe Middle School Symphonic Winds Band
· Cypress Falls Varsity Men’s Choir
“We are incredibly proud of the 2025-26 Rowe Symphonic Winds,” said Mark Donahue, Rowe band director. “The students worked very hard to make this performance possible and this is a first for the Rowe band program!”
Added Suzanne Scott, Jersey Village band director: “I am so proud of the hard work and musicianship that the band students in the Wind Ensemble exhibited throughout the entire school year. This national recognition is the perfect way to recognize the tremendous efforts they made towards musical excellence every day.”
The following CFISD ensembles were named Citation of Excellence National Winners:
· Bridgeland Symphonic Winds Band
· Spillane Middle School Symphonic Band
· Sprague Symphonic Band
· Anthony Middle School Symphony Orchestra
“Words can’t fully express how proud I am of these students,” said Caleb Churchman, Anthony orchestra director. “They showed true dedication through hard work and made Anthony history as the first orchestra in our program to be named National Winners!”
Added Brenton Marquart, Bridgeland band director: “I am incredibly grateful for this recognition and could not be prouder of our students. What means the most to me is the way they committed themselves to making meaningful music while growing together—not only as musicians, but as people. It is an honor to be their conductor.”
The following CFISD ensembles were named Citation of Excellence Commended Winners:
· Bridgeland Symphonic Band
· Cypress Woods High School Symphonic Winds Band
· Arnold Symphonic Band
· Sprague Symphonic Orchestra
“We are incredibly proud of the dedication, hard work and musical excellence demonstrated by both Arnold Band ensembles,” said Ceci Hernandez, Arnold band director. “Congratulations to our outstanding musicians on this wonderful achievement!”
Added Gabrielle Bielz, Cypress Woods band director: “We are very proud of the growth and determination that the 2026 Cypress Woods Symphonic Winds showed this past spring. They grew into more mature, intentional musicians. I am most proud of how they approached the season with positivity and encouraged each other to strive for the best.”
Source: CFISD
