Round Rock ISD middle and high school educators and their music programs earned a record number of recognitions in the 2023 National Mark of Excellence and Citation of Excellence awards. This achievement identifies the top 25% of music programs entered through an extensive evaluation of their ensemble recordings from 2022-2023. This year, Round Rock ISD received 15 awards, the most of all the school districts entered.
Congratulations to our Round Rock ISD student musicians and directors.
National Winner
Jay Hagy, Canyon Vista Middle School Honors Band
Ragan Whatley & Emily Hornbake, Canyon Vista Middle School Honors Orchestra
Mason England, Grisham IB® World Middle School Honors Band
Wendi Burwinkel, McNeil High School Chamber Singers
Erin Keith & David Mobley, Round Rock High School Symphony Full Orchestra
Jennifer Bergeron, Walsh Middle School Honor Band
Thomas Turpin, Westwood IB® World High School Wind Ensemble
Commended Winner
Ragan Whatley & Emily Hornbake, Canyon Vista Middle School Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Musacchio, Cedar Ridge High School Wind Ensemble
Nicole Correa, Deerpark Middle School Wind Symphony
Anne Leo & David Eickbusch, Pearson Ranch Middle School Wind Ensemble
Colleen Whatley, Pearson Ranch Middle School Orchestra
New Music Division Winner
Jason Dimiceli, McNeil High School Wind Ensemble
Citation of Excellence
Caleb Carter & Cathy Benford, Round Rock High School Philharmonic Full Orchestra
Brittany Dacy, Westwood IB® World High School Wind Symphony
The Mark 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 throughout the United States and provides valuable feedback for all entrants. A unique competitive environment is created which allows ensembles to compare their performance quality to other outstanding groups from across the country. The top 25% of entrants are recognized as National Winners, with the second 25% named as Commended Winners.
The Citation of Excellence project seeks to recognize and award outstanding achievement in performance by non-varsity high school and middle school bands and orchestras. A unique competitive environment is created which allows ensembles to compare their performance quality to other outstanding non-varsity ensembles. The top 25% of entrants are recognized as Citation Winners, with the second 25% named as Commended Winners.