The CFISD Honor Clarinet Choir performs alongside current Sam Houston State University musicians and alumni for a combined choir performance during the Sam Houston School of Music’s Clarinet Extravaganza on March 27. The districtwide ensemble featured 22 participants representing nine CFISD high schools during the spring semester.

April 18, 2022—The CFISD Honor Clarinet Choir returned following a hiatus due to COVID-19, but celebrated the 2021-2022 spring semester with selected performances, including a show at Sam Houston State University.

The ensemble features 22 talented musicians representing nine high schools.

Founded during the 2017-2018 school year, the honor choir includes members who have earned all-state accolades from the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) among other honors. Students practice on weekends and the ensemble’s mission is to not only entertain but also elevate the performance levels of clarinet students throughout CFISD.

The choir has performed at the TMEA Clinic/Convention, Music for All National Festival and the Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music Conference. Led by former CFISD band directors Mark Edenfield and Shirley Holstein, the ensemble’s final performance before COVID-19 was in February 2020.

Interest returned this school year and the choir returned under the direction of Cypress Ridge High School assistant band director Edith Saucedo, Cypress Park High School assistant band director Patrick Guzman, and Edenfield and Holstein, who are both recent retirees.

“We wanted to get back and we wanted to have kids playing clarinet and having fun,” Saucedo said. “We didn’t know initially what the turnout would be after a couple years of being on hiatus to all of a sudden starting it back up again, but it was just great to see the interest. We’re getting to teach some of the best kids on their instruments in the district, so it was cool to have like-minded kids in the same room.”

The CFISD Honor Clarinet Choir performs at Cypress Lakes High School on March 26. The ensemble featured 22 participants representing nine CFISD high schools during the spring semester. The musicians served as guest artists for the Sam Houston State University School of Music’s Clarinet Extravaganza on March 27.

The ensemble started in January, meeting for rehearsals on Sundays at Cypress Ridge and culminating with consecutive performances in March.

The honor choir performed at Cypress Lakes High School on March 26, and the next day, the musicians served as guest artists for the Sam Houston State University School of Music’s Clarinet Extravaganza. Put on each semester, the School of Music and its musicians host recitals to celebrate their work and provide performance settings and experiences.

CFISD’s Honor Clarinet Choir performed selections at the university’s Payne Concert Hall before students listened to Sam Houston chamber musicians and chamber ensembles. CFISD choir members were then invited to perform alongside current Sam Houston musicians and alumni in a combined chamber choir led by Dr. Kayoko Dan, Sam Houston symphony orchestra director and assistant professor.

“We were very proud,” Saucedo said. “You could tell they enjoyed both experiences. I think those performances opened their eyes a little bit—especially the Sam Houston performance—to know that there are a lot of people like them that love playing clarinet and want to have a good time with it.”

CFISD choir members who participated this semester include: