For the ninth time in row, the McCulloch Junior High School music department has qualified for the Indiana State School Music Association’s highest honor, the J/M/E Total Department All Music Award — the only school in the state to do nine times in a row, and one of only seven schools in the state to earn the award this year.
Every year, ISSMA hosts several competitions for music students in the state. The All Music Awards are the culmination of those contests, and the music departments who earn them are among the best in the state.
“We are so proud of our students’ hard work! Being the only school in the state to qualify for this award every year it has been offered is really special, and we are grateful for the support of our administration, our families, and our community,” said McCulloch choir director Christina Huff.
To qualify for the All Music Award, the school’s music students must have received gold ratings in all of the following events:
- Solo and Ensemble Contest (at least one solo and one ensemble entering in Group I, II, or III)
- Jazz Organizational Contest
- J/M/E Organizational Contest
Because McCulloch qualified for the award in both choir and band, they were given the Total Department award, one of only seven schools in the state to earn this award this year. The award was first given at the junior high level in 2015, when McCulloch was the only school in the state to earn the honor. It remains the only school in the state to have won this award every year ISSMA has given it. (The award was not given for the 2019-20 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.) This is an outstanding accomplishment, nine times running, and our fantastic music students and teachers deserve much praise. We take this opportunity to say congratulations to them all!
MHS band qualifies for All Music Award for fourth consecutive time
Marion High School’s band program also qualified for ISSMA’s All Music Award, for the fourth consecutive time.
To qualify for the All Music Award, the band must have received gold ratings in all of the following events:
- Solo and Ensemble Contest (at least one solo and one ensemble entering in Group I)
- Jazz Organizational Contest
- Concert Organizational Contest (in Group I, II, or III)
- ISSMA marching band (Marion participates in the Summer Showcase in August, and earned a Gold rating)
Upcoming concerts
You have the opportunity to hear these outstanding musicians in their year-end shows:
McCulloch Junior High School
- combined band world premier of “Elliot’s Song”, 11 a.m., May 11, MHS Walton Center main stage (part of the All-City Art Show)
- jazz band, 12:30 p.m. May 11, MHS Walton Center Little Theater (part of the All-City Art Show)
- jazz choir, 1 p.m. May 11: MHS Walton Center Little Theater (part of the All-City Art Show)
- Circle the State With Song choir: 1:30 p.m. May 11: MHS Walton Center Little Theater (part of the All-City Art Show)
- honors choir: 2 p.m. May 11, MHS Walton Center Little Theater (part of the All-City Art Show)
- 7th grade choir: 6 p.m. May 13 at the McCulloch Junior High School auditorium
- 8th grade choir: 6 p.m. May 14 at the McCulloch Junior High School auditorium
- 7th/8th grade band: 6 p.m. May 15, MHS Walton Center main stage
Marion High School
- choir awards and senior recognition concert, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, Walton Center main stage
combined band world premier of “Elliot’s Song”, 11 a.m., May 11, MHS Walton Center main stage (part of the All-City Art Show) - choir senior spotlights, 2 p.m. May 11, Walton Center Little Theater (part of the All-City Art Show)
- band awards and spring concert, 6:30 p.m. May 11, Walton Center main stage (part of the All-City Art Show)
Do you want to be a part of one of the best music programs in the state? Marion Community Schools enrollment is open now! Click here to learn more.