Katy ISD ensembles recognized at state competition

Numerous Katy ISD music ensembles will be starting their new school year with a distinguished state recognition.

In July, the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) announced that two Katy ISD schools will be performing at the TMEA annual convention in February 2023, in San Antonio. Beckendorff Junior High Orchestra took the top spot in the Junior High/Middle School String Orchestra Division, and was chosen as an honor ensemble through a multi-level competitive evaluation and the Alexander Elementary Choir was selected as an invited group to represent the Elementary Division. Six additional Katy ISD music groups were ranked in the top 10 in Texas in their respective divisions.

Each year TMEA holds a statewide contest to recognize the highest performing ensembles across the state of Texas. To be considered, each group must submit a recording of their ensemble to a panel of judges for evaluation.

“This year Katy ISD had eight groups that advanced to finals, which was the most of any district in this state-level competition,” Damon Archer, Katy ISD fine arts department executive director, said. “Students were anxiously awaiting these results during the summer. To receive this prestigious recognition just weeks from the first day of school will surely contribute to a motivating school year.”

The results for each Katy ISD group, by division, are:

Elementary Division

• Alexander Elementary Choir – Invited Group

Junior High/Middle School String Orchestra Division

• Beckendorff Junior High – 1st Place (Honor Ensemble)
• Tays Junior High – 4th Place

Junior High/Middle School Full Orchestra

• Cinco Ranch Junior High – 6th Place

High School Full Orchestra

• Seven Lakes High School – 2nd Place
• Tompkins High School – 4th Place

2C Junior High/Middle School Band

• Memorial Parkway Junior High – 10th Place

6A High School Band

• Tompkins High School – 9th Place

Robertson Elementary PTA seeking sponsors

The PTA at Robertson Elementary, the newest Katy ISD school, is looking for sponsors.

Multiple levels of sponsorship are available, with some including sponsor logos on the PTA webpage, social media, and school marquee.

For more information, visit the website robertsonelempta.membershiptoolkit.com/home.

Katy ISD volunteers asked to register through district’s Raptor Volunteer Initiative

All Katy ISD volunteers, including all KEYS mentors, business & community partners, Junior Achievement, and anyone who gives their time to Katy ISD campuses, are asked to register through the district’s new Raptor Volunteer Initiative.

Beginning Oct. 1, the district will require all volunteers serving on campus during the instructional day to register in this way.

The volunteer registration requirement will extend to all volunteers serving on or off-campus, during or after the instructional day effective Jan. 4.

For a how-to guide on volunteering for Katy ISD, visit the website, the abbreviated URL for which is bit.ly/3bQ7Z1L

For the English registration form, visit the website https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NzAxOmVuLVVT.

For the Spanish registration form, visit the website https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NzAxOmVuLVVT.