The Mark of Excellence project, sponsored by The Foundation for Music Education, 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. 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 Citation of Excellence project recognizes outstanding achievement 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. All entrants receive a compilation recording of the winning performances. The goal is that the adjudicator critiques and the compilation recordings will prove helpful in improving performances and will spread knowledge of quality literature.

Denton ISD is proud to announce that four bands from three of its high schools have received awards from The Foundation for Music Education for their performances in 2020-21.

2021 Mark of Excellence - National Wind Band Honors

National Winner Class AAAAA

Ryan HS Wind Symphony - Mary Brown, Director

Commended Winner Class AAAAAA

Braswell HS Wind Symphony - Aaron Snipes, Director

New Music Division

Guyer HS Wind Ensemble - Amy Woody, Director

2021 Citation of Excellence Winners

Commended Winner Class AAAAAA

Guyer HS Symphonic Band 1 - Nathan Taylor, Director