Wylie High School Percussion Ensemble Selected for Music for All National Festival

The Wylie High School Percussion Ensemble has earned an invitation to perform on a national stage after being selected for the Music for All Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival in Indianapolis this April.

For the percussionists of That Wylie Band, the invitation is a significant recognition of years of dedication and hard work. 

“Being selected for the Music for All Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival is a huge honor for That Wylie Band percussionists,” said Kenneth Kosterman, percussion director for That Wylie Band. “These students have poured countless hours throughout their years in band. Seeing their hard work and excellence in music performance being recognized on a national stage is incredible. It’s a powerful validation of their teamwork and perseverance.”

Kosterman reflected on the moment everyone learned of their selection, a particularly memorable one for the TWB team. 

“We were in the middle of student leadership camp when we found out, so the TWB leadership team was the first to hear,” Kosterman said. “That gave our student leaders a unique opportunity to demonstrate how we celebrate each other’s successes.”

The national application process itself requires significant preparation, making the announcement even more meaningful for the students who had worked toward the opportunity.

“Preparing for a national application takes a ton of work, so getting to see their faces light up as they realized they received the invitation was truly special,” Kosterman said.

When the students travel to Indianapolis in April, they will have the opportunity that every young musician dreams of.

“Beyond performing in a world-class venue and in front of a national audience, the students are most excited to connect with and hear other outstanding percussion ensembles from across the country,” Kosterman said. “Performing at Indianapolis in April is going to be a transformative, unforgettable experience for them both musically and personally.”

The Music for All National Festival is a national showcase of outstanding scholastic music ensembles. The festival provides students with opportunities to perform for a national audience, receive feedback from world-class evaluators and clinicians, and learn alongside some of the country’s top student musicians in a non-competitive environment focused on growth, encouragement, and mutual respect. This invitation is a remarkable achievement for the Wylie High School Percussion Ensemble and a reflection of the dedication, teamwork, and perseverance demonstrated by these talented student musicians. 

Wylie ISD maintains a high standard of excellence for musical education, and the WHS Percussion Ensemble will carry that tradition to the national stage this spring.