12 CFISD music ensembles earn 2025 Mark of Excellence honors
The Spillane Middle School symphonic winds band was named a 2025 The Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence National Winner. 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.
Sept. 30, 2025—Twelve CFISD music ensembles were named winners of The Foundation for Music Education’s 2025 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 Bridgeland High School varsity treble choir was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence National Winner.
The Spillane Middle School symphonic winds band and the Bridgeland High School varsity treble choir were named Mark of Excellence National Winners.
“I am incredibly proud of our students for being selected as a national winner in the Mark of Excellence contest,” said John Barton, Spillane band director. “To have earned this honor three times in the past four years is a remarkable achievement that speaks to the consistency, dedication and passion of our young musicians. Each year, they set a new standard for themselves, and their hard work continues to shine through in performances that represent the very best of what middle school band can be. This award is not only a recognition of their talent, but also of the teamwork, perseverance and joy they bring to making music together. I could not be more proud to celebrate this award with them.”
The Bridgeland High School chorale choir was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
Added Chris Fiorini, Bridgeland choir director: “We are truly in awe of the work our students do daily. The grit, tenacity and dedication they show to mastering their craft is unparalleled.”
The Bridgeland chorale and varsity tenor bass choirs were named Mark of Excellence Commended Winners. In addition, the Smith Middle School symphonic winds band was named a Commended Winner.
The Bridgeland High School varsity tenor bass choir was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
“Congratulations to last year’s Smith varsity band for being named a commended winner in the Mark of Excellence project,” said Stephen Van Hooser, Smith band director. “This accomplishment reflects their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence. We are so proud!”
The Cy-Fair High School chamber orchestra, the Anthony Middle School chamber orchestra and the Sprague Middle School chamber orchestra all earned Mark of Excellence Commended honors.
The Smith Middle School symphonic winds band was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
“I could not be more proud of the dedication and hard work our chamber orchestra students showed last season,” said Joanna Schess, Anthony orchestra director. “Their constant drive to get a little bit better each day truly paid off. My deepest gratitude goes to our assistant director, Caleb Churchman, for his tireless work with our cellos and basses. We are also incredibly thankful for our entire orchestra community’s support systems — the clinicians, lesson teachers, parents and administration — for the vital role you played in our success.”
Added Danielle Darrigo, Sprague orchestra director: “I am immensely proud of our chamber orchestra students for their exceptional dedication and hard work throughout the year, which has been instrumental in their success. In just the second year since Sprague opened, these students have already set a high standard of excellence for future orchestra students. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Christina LeBlanc for her outstanding work with our students and for her vital role in ensuring the continued success of our private lesson program. Thank you as well to our Cub orchestra parents, the Sprague administration and our community for your ongoing encouragement and commitment to our music program.”
The Cy-Fair High School chamber orchestra was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
The Hamilton Middle School symphonic winds earned New Music Division Commended honors.
“The Hamilton Middle School symphonic winds is honored to receive this recognition, which reflects the commitment and hard work of our students, directors and community,” said Kyle Stahl, Hamilton band director. “This achievement is a testament to the excellence and dedication demonstrated by our students on a daily basis. Go Tigers!”
The Anthony Middle School chamber orchestra was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
The Smith Middle School symphonic orchestra was named a Citation of Excellence National Winner.
“I’m thrilled by the 2025 Citation of Excellence results after just one semester of teaching,” said Samantha Rodriguez, Smith orchestra director. “I’d like to thank Nassar Edwards for laying a strong foundation with the symphonic orchestra at Smith. I’m so proud of last year’s group for always being motivated to tackle musical challenges. Teaching them is a joy and I can’t wait to see what they achieve next!”
The Sprague Middle School chamber orchestra was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
The Spillane Middle School symphonic band and the Anthony Middle School symphony orchestra were named Citation of Excellence Commended Winners.
“Symphony orchestra really pushed the limit on what a non-varsity group can sound like,” said Caleb Churchman, Anthony orchestra director. “They were pushed to play a challenging program and not only met that challenge but also conquered it. Their extremely hard work and determination absolutely paid off and I could not be more proud. I want to also thank Joanna Schess for her hard work and guidance to make this program the best possible.”
The Hamilton Middle School symphonic winds band was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence New Music Division Commended Winner.
The Smith Middle School symphonic orchestra was named a 2025 Citation of Excellence National Winner.
The Spillane Middle School symphonic band was named a 2025 Citation of Excellence Commended Winner.
The Anthony Middle School symphony orchestra was named a 2025 Citation of Excellence Commended Winner.
12 CFISD music ensembles earn 2025 Mark of Excellence honors
The Spillane Middle School symphonic winds band was named a 2025 The Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence National Winner. 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.
Sept. 30, 2025—Twelve CFISD music ensembles were named winners of The Foundation for Music Education’s 2025 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 Bridgeland High School varsity treble choir was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence National Winner.
The Spillane Middle School symphonic winds band and the Bridgeland High School varsity treble choir were named Mark of Excellence National Winners.
“I am incredibly proud of our students for being selected as a national winner in the Mark of Excellence contest,” said John Barton, Spillane band director. “To have earned this honor three times in the past four years is a remarkable achievement that speaks to the consistency, dedication and passion of our young musicians. Each year, they set a new standard for themselves, and their hard work continues to shine through in performances that represent the very best of what middle school band can be. This award is not only a recognition of their talent, but also of the teamwork, perseverance and joy they bring to making music together. I could not be more proud to celebrate this award with them.”
The Bridgeland High School chorale choir was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
Added Chris Fiorini, Bridgeland choir director: “We are truly in awe of the work our students do daily. The grit, tenacity and dedication they show to mastering their craft is unparalleled.”
The Bridgeland chorale and varsity tenor bass choirs were named Mark of Excellence Commended Winners. In addition, the Smith Middle School symphonic winds band was named a Commended Winner.
The Bridgeland High School varsity tenor bass choir was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
“Congratulations to last year’s Smith varsity band for being named a commended winner in the Mark of Excellence project,” said Stephen Van Hooser, Smith band director. “This accomplishment reflects their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence. We are so proud!”
The Cy-Fair High School chamber orchestra, the Anthony Middle School chamber orchestra and the Sprague Middle School chamber orchestra all earned Mark of Excellence Commended honors.
The Smith Middle School symphonic winds band was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
“I could not be more proud of the dedication and hard work our chamber orchestra students showed last season,” said Joanna Schess, Anthony orchestra director. “Their constant drive to get a little bit better each day truly paid off. My deepest gratitude goes to our assistant director, Caleb Churchman, for his tireless work with our cellos and basses. We are also incredibly thankful for our entire orchestra community’s support systems — the clinicians, lesson teachers, parents and administration — for the vital role you played in our success.”
Added Danielle Darrigo, Sprague orchestra director: “I am immensely proud of our chamber orchestra students for their exceptional dedication and hard work throughout the year, which has been instrumental in their success. In just the second year since Sprague opened, these students have already set a high standard of excellence for future orchestra students. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Christina LeBlanc for her outstanding work with our students and for her vital role in ensuring the continued success of our private lesson program. Thank you as well to our Cub orchestra parents, the Sprague administration and our community for your ongoing encouragement and commitment to our music program.”
The Cy-Fair High School chamber orchestra was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
The Hamilton Middle School symphonic winds earned New Music Division Commended honors.
“The Hamilton Middle School symphonic winds is honored to receive this recognition, which reflects the commitment and hard work of our students, directors and community,” said Kyle Stahl, Hamilton band director. “This achievement is a testament to the excellence and dedication demonstrated by our students on a daily basis. Go Tigers!”
The Anthony Middle School chamber orchestra was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
The Smith Middle School symphonic orchestra was named a Citation of Excellence National Winner.
“I’m thrilled by the 2025 Citation of Excellence results after just one semester of teaching,” said Samantha Rodriguez, Smith orchestra director. “I’d like to thank Nassar Edwards for laying a strong foundation with the symphonic orchestra at Smith. I’m so proud of last year’s group for always being motivated to tackle musical challenges. Teaching them is a joy and I can’t wait to see what they achieve next!”
The Sprague Middle School chamber orchestra was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner.
The Spillane Middle School symphonic band and the Anthony Middle School symphony orchestra were named Citation of Excellence Commended Winners.
“Symphony orchestra really pushed the limit on what a non-varsity group can sound like,” said Caleb Churchman, Anthony orchestra director. “They were pushed to play a challenging program and not only met that challenge but also conquered it. Their extremely hard work and determination absolutely paid off and I could not be more proud. I want to also thank Joanna Schess for her hard work and guidance to make this program the best possible.”
The Hamilton Middle School symphonic winds band was named a 2025 Mark of Excellence New Music Division Commended Winner.
The Smith Middle School symphonic orchestra was named a 2025 Citation of Excellence National Winner.
The Spillane Middle School symphonic band was named a 2025 Citation of Excellence Commended Winner.
The Anthony Middle School symphony orchestra was named a 2025 Citation of Excellence Commended Winner.