09/21/2026
Are you ready for some incredible 📰? Grand Prairie ISD music programs rank in the top 25% nationwide!
525 entries across 40 states, and GPISD stood out among the best. We had 4 ensembles that were awarded the prestigious title of National Winner in the 2026 Mark of Excellence national music competition. 👏👏👏
This highly competitive project judges group ensembles from across the United States, recognizing only the highest tier of elite musical performance.
Join us in celebrating our extraordinary student ensembles and the dedicated teams of directors who guide them to success:
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy Middle School Jazz I
* National Winner, National Jazz Honors (Directed by Jonathan Adamo and Mark De Hertogh)
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy High School Jazz I
* National Winner, National Jazz Honors (Directed by Mark De Hertogh and Jonathan Adamo)
Truman Middle School Symphonic Band
* National Winner, Band Class A (Directed by John Linares)
South Grand Prairie High School Wind Ensemble (Directed by Michelle Ross, along with assistance from her team: William Laird, Alan Chrzanowski, and Benjamin Gostokowski)
* National Winner, 6A National Wind Band Honors (Directed by Michelle Ross)
* National Winner, New Music Honors (Directed by Michelle Ross)
An incredible achievement like this is made possible by the collaborative support of the entire fine arts faculty of these ensembles. Congratulations to these student musicians and the director teams who push our programs to national excellence every day
Thank you for representing your campus and GPISD so proudly on the national stage!