Killeen, TX/2022: Killeen ISD provides some of the best music education in the country and that’s not just an idle boast.

The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation listed its Best Communities for Music Education and Killeen ISD is one of the 738 school districts on the list.

“I am super excited to announce that for the first time, KISD has been named a Best Community for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants,” said Fine Arts Director Karen Herrera.

The 738 school districts across the country are selected through broad criteria, including demographics, teacher ratios, student participation, budget, facilities, standards and teacher qualification, she pointed out.

The program, in its 23rd year, recognizes the “outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders and their support for music education as part of a well-rounded education for all children,” according to a NAMM press release.

The chosen school districts persevered through the challenges of adapting to mitigation requirements the past two years to continue to support music education, the release states.

This year, Patterson Middle School’s tenor-bass choir performed at the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association Conference in Little Rock, Ark. That was two years after the choir was named a state honor choir.

The district celebrated six All-State Choir members and an All-State Orchestra member.

In December, during the combined middle school and high school orchestra concert, Herrera praised the growth and achievement of the orchestra program.

A total of 23 students earned All-Region Middle School status and 22 earned All-Region at the high school level.

Another big honor this year came from the Harker Heights High School acapella choirs.

The Pitch Black ensemble won the Aca Tex Festival championship and the Iron Maidens ensemble made it into the finals of the event and were the highest ranked girls’ group in the competition.