Several Fine Arts students in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD were recently named Texas Musics Scholars and All-State musicians by the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA).

The Texas Music Scholar Award designates students in high school music programs who exemplify attributes of meritorious performance in the areas of scholarship, musicianship, and citizenship. Designation is attained by TMEA Active Member recommendation of students in grades 9-12 who have met the following criteria during the current school year:

• Is a viable member of the school’s parent musical organization for the entire school year.
• Maintains in all cumulative coursework an overall “A” average as defined by the local school district for the current school year.
• Maintains academic eligibility for the entire school year.
• Participates in all scheduled events of the parent organization.
• Participates virtually or as a live audience member, two director-approved concert events of high school, collegiate or professional level during a school year.
• Has auditioned, been selected, and participated as required in a TMEA or ATSSB organization (band, orchestra, or choir).
• Performs a UIL Prescribed Music List Class 1 solo for a competition or public performance.
• Consistently exhibits behavior which brings honor to the parent organization, school and community.

“The Texas Music Scholar’s award is certainly worth celebrating,” said Mark Rohwer, CFBISD Director of Fine Arts. “We are so proud of our students for their dedication and efforts.”

Congratulations to the following students for being named Texas Music Scholars this school year:

• Andrew Nguyen
• Ayden Lara
• Ben Sawicki
• Daniel Flores
• Daniel Shin
• Gage Montgomery
• Heidi Kwon
• Ian Milligan
• Isidoro Martinez
• Jacqueline LeComte
• Jesus Castro
• Kevin Moore
• Marcos Alvarado
• Mario Hernandez
• Michael Girma
• Miguel Huezo
• Nicholas Truong
• Philips Nghe
• Phillip Prum
• Phoenix Walston
• Reed Slavinski
• Reid Tilton
• Sehyeon Kim

• Carlton Pertile
• Jazmine Surmieda
• Kaszon Kelemen
• Roger Peng
• Sonika Melacheruvu

• Andy Park
• Ansh Kapadia
• Anvitha Kamireddy
• Arnav Sangle
• Cassandra De Leon
• Gabriela Guevara
• Grace Njenga
• Ian Pfaffenberger
• Jiaai Tiao
• Joel Palacios
• Julie Dinh
• Lily Dinh
• Maria Beckett Lozano
• Sanjana Arudala
• Victoria Herrera

Earlier this year, six CFBISD students achieved the prestigious honor of being named TMEA All-State musicians. TMEA All-State is the highest recognition a Texas music student can receive. From a pool of over 70,000 students across the state, only 1,875 were selected through a rigorous audition process. These elite musicians had the unique opportunity to perform in one of 18 Texas All-State band, orchestra and vocal ensembles.

Congratulations to the following CFBISD All-State musicians:  

• James Lee, Cello, 3rd Chair, Symphony Orchestra 
• Nicholas Truong, Euphonium, 1st Chair, 5A Symphonic Band 
• Isidoro Martinez, Trombone, 1st Chair, 5A Symphonic Band 
• Mario Hernandez, Tenor 1, 2nd Chair, Mixed Choir 

• Ian Pfaffenberger, Tenor 2, 1st chair, Tenor/Bass Choir 
• Sharvani Gandluri, Alto 2, 4th Chair, Treble Choir

Since 1920, Texas Music Educators Association has worked to ensure excellence in music education for all Texas students. TMEA’s 19,800 members include over 13,800 school music educators who belong to one of five TMEA Divisions: Band, Orchestra, Vocal, Elementary, and College. Members elect Vice-Presidents to their Division to guide the Division’s programming. On behalf of its members and Texas students, TMEA monitors the actions of state decision-making bodies on issues affecting fine arts instruction in Texas. In addition to many member benefits, TMEA offers professional development for its members through workshops and its annual Clinic/Convention that hosts over 30,000 attendees. TMEA supports the future of music education by offering scholarships to music education majors and sponsoring the Texas Future Music Educators, an organization through which high school students interested in careers in music education learn more about what to expect in their college education and future careers.