The Alderete Middle School Honor Band received a Division 1 rating at the recent UIL Competition, a first for the middle school.
According to Regino Ramos, CISD School of Music Director, Canutillo ISD is on the map in a powerful way.
"The high school has earned its First Divisions, but with AMS now having done the same, it sets the stage for the development of a strong program coming out of CISD," Ramos said.
The 36-member band is composed of all grade levels at the middle school. Practices for this dedicated group of musicians begins a week before school starts in August.
Saturday clinics in preparation for competition included special guest directors such as Jimmy Olivas of Olivas Music, Guillermo Adame Jr. director of choirs at El Dorado High School and Regino Ramos.
"This group made it their mission to accomplish a difficult goal," said Larry Adame, director of bands at AMS. "I couldn't be more proud of the work done by all to achieve that rating."
For the future, students have set the bar higher by aiming for a sweepstakes rating.
Go AMS!