KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
August 9, 2022
By Natalie Cook Clark
Eight Katy ISD music ensembles will start the 2022-2023 school year with distinguished state recognition. Both the Alexander Elementary Choir and Beckendorff Junior High String Orchestra earned first place in their divisions.
Alexander Elementary Choir. Photo credit: Katy ISD
Katy ISD Music Ensembles Receive State Recognitions
At the end of July, the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) named Alexander Elementary Choir as the #1 Elementary School Choir in Texas, while Beckendorff Junior High took the top spot in the School String Orchestra Division. Six additional Katy ISD music groups were among the top 10 recognitions.
“This year Katy ISD had eight groups that advanced to finals, which was the most of any district in this state-level competition,” says Damon Archer, Executive Director of the Fine Arts Department in Katy ISD.
Beckendorff Junior High String Orchestra. Photo credit: Katy ISD
Both Alexander Elementary Choir and Beckendorff Junior High Orchestra received an honorary invitation to perform at the February 2023 TMEA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
Each year TMEA holds a statewide contest to recognize the highest performing ensembles across the state of Texas. To be considered, each group must submit a recording of their ensemble to a panel of judges for evaluation, and to provide a final state ranking.
Katy ISD Ensemble Rankings:
Elementary Division
Alexander Elementary Choir – 1st Place
Junior High/Middle School String Orchestra Division
Beckendorff Junior High – 1st Place
Tays Junior High – 4th Place
Junior High/Middle School Full Orchestra
Cinco Ranch Junior High – 6th Place
High School Full Orchestra
Seven Lakes High School – 2nd Place
Tompkins High School – 4th Place
2C Junior High/Middle School Band
Memorial Parkway Junior High – 10th Place
6A High School Band
Tompkins High School – 9th Place
“Students were anxiously awaiting these results during the summer. To receive this prestigious recognition just weeks from the first day of school will surely contribute to a motivating school year,” says Archer.