The Foundation for Music Education is dedicated to the support and advancement of music education. Each year the Foundation sponsors The Mark of Excellence project which 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. All entrants receive a compilation recording of the winning performances. Winners are recognized in regional and/or national publications and at national and regional conventions. The adjudicator critiques and the compilation recordings are helpful in improving performances and will spread knowledge of quality literature.

For the 2019-20 school year, the Foundation for Music Education awarded three Denton ISD bands the 2020 Mark of Excellence and Citation of Excellence. Congratulations to the outstanding students and teachers of these bands for being honored for their excellence in music. This is Denton High's 6th year to be recognized and Crownover Middle School's 4th year to be recognized by the Foundation for Music Education.

National Winner, Mark of Excellence Jazz Honors

Denton HS Lab Band 1

Jesse Woolery, conductor

National Winner, Mark of Excellence Wind Band Honors

Harpool MS Symphonic Band

Bryan Stone, conductor

Citation of Excellence, Non-Varsity Wind Band Honors

Crownover MS Symphonic Band

Dr. Kyle Mullins, conductor