Wylie ISD Fine Arts Programs Earn Seven National Music Education Honors

Wylie ISD’s commitment to excellence in Fine Arts education is being recognized on a national stage, with seven Wylie ISD music groups earning 2026 honors from the Foundation for Music Education.

The annual competition recognizes outstanding school music ensembles from across the country. The Foundation for Music Education awards the top 25% of entries as National winners, while the next 25% receive Commended recognition. The Mark of Excellence competition recognizes varsity-level ensembles, while the Citation of Excellence competition recognizes non-varsity ensembles.

This year’s results mark a historic achievement for Wylie ISD.

“Wylie ISD received four National Mark of Excellence Awards, and this is the most National awards we have ever received,” said Craig Needham, Executive Director of Fine Arts. “This is the first time we have had awards in all three divisions: Elementary, Junior High, and High School. Finally, five campuses received awards, and this is the largest number of campuses receiving these awards in our history.”

The 2026 National Mark of Excellence Winners include:

• Bush Elementary Choir — Directors Sara Rond and Marisol Santana
• Cooper Junior High Wind Ensemble — Directors Adam Powell and Misty Smith
• Wylie East Wind Ensemble — Director Holly Taylor
• Wylie High Wind Ensemble — Directors Paul Heuer and Mark Schroeder

Commended Mark of Excellence Winner

• Burnett Junior High Wind Ensemble — Directors Matthew Hedrick and Davis Ponjuan

Citation of Excellence Winners

• National: Cooper Junior High Symphonic Band — Directors Misty Smith and Adam Powell
• Commended: Wylie High Wind Band — Director Mark Schroeder

Heuer is proud of his WHS Wind Ensemble and said the recognition reflects the dedication and effort of Wylie High students throughout the year.

“This contest is a yearly option for groups to send their best recordings of the year to a panel of distinguished, national caliber type, adjudicators and receive feedback on the final products of the year,” Heuer said. “The music we performed was a huge challenge for the students, and we are excited their hard work was recognized.”

For the Cooper Junior High Band program, this year’s recognition continues a long-standing tradition of achievement.

“The 2026 Cooper Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band were filled with super hard-working and amazing young musicians who performed to the best of their abilities each day,” said Powell. “We are proud to have our school name on the list next to so many other great programs and even prouder that our recordings will be shared with all entered programs to use as a reference.”

Powell added that the recognition is part of a continuing legacy for the Cooper Band program.

“This recognition continues a legacy of excellence in the Cooper Band program as our students have earned a total of 17 recognitions by the Foundation for Music Education dating all the way back to 2015,” he said. “Thank you to Wylie ISD for your continued support of the fine arts and helping the Cooper Band students achieve their potential!”

The 2026 awards also represent an important milestone for elementary music education in Wylie ISD. For the first time, elementary choirs were included in the Mark of Excellence awards, giving Wylie ISD elementary students an opportunity to be recognized alongside their junior high and high school peers.

“Having elementary choirs included in the Mark of Excellence awards for the first year is incredibly affirming for all elementary directors building musicians!” said Rond. “We are honored to have been chosen for this award, and thrilled to see every grade, K-12, represented in this recognition. This speaks volumes to the support of Fine Arts in our district!”

From elementary choir to high school wind ensemble, the 2026 honors highlight the breadth and strength of fine arts education in Wylie ISD. The accomplishments of these seven ensembles showcase the dedication of Wylie ISD students, directors, and families and reflect the district’s continued commitment to providing students with opportunities to develop their musical talents and achieve at the highest levels.

Congratulations to all of the Wylie ISD student musicians, directors, and campuses recognized by the Foundation for Music Education.