Lifestyle

Texas Middle School Band Receives High National Accolade

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Tony Maples Photography

 

The Clark Middle School Cougar Band in Frisco, Texas received wonderful news this year when their director, Benjamin Katz, found out that the group would receive the prestigious Sudler Cup presented by The John Phillip Sousa Foundation.

“They said we were one of the best bands in the United States and worthy of this award,” band director Benjamin Katz beamed. CBS DFW also spoke to one of the elated band members. “I was in shock when our band director first told us,” 8th grader Olivia Rand told the news.

The Sousa Foundation website says that the honor is given out yearly. There are no set number of recipients, but the winners are determined every year in December. It appears that the only junior high to receive the accolade this year is Clark Middle School!

In order to be chosen, bands must be nominated and then considered by a well-respected panel of directors and educators that consider the group’s performance over the past few years in competition and in concert.

The engraved Sudler Cup, awarded to the director, is 12 inches tall and comes with a plaque for the school to display proudly along with diplomas for each participating student.