H.R. No. 1926
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The McAllen Independent School District was
recognized as a 2013 Best Community for Music Education by the
National Association of Music Merchants' Foundation; and
WHEREAS, The judges who award the Best Community for Music
Education designation closely examine districts' music
departments, noting the levels of participation and achievement,
the range of programs offered, and the qualifications of their
teachers; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Dr. James Ponce,
superintendent, and Karen Herrera, director of the district's Fine
Arts Department, music programs are thriving in McAllen ISD;
approximately 11,000 elementary school students and 5,000
secondary students participate in one of the district's many
offerings, including such specialty programs as jazz band, show
choir, orchestra, and mariachi; and
WHEREAS, NAMM noted a number of criteria that earned McAllen
this honor, including the support of the administration and school
board for fine arts and the success of students at the state level
in band, choir, and orchestra; the organization also applauded the
quality music instruction that students receive, a result due in
part to the district's adoption of the team teaching concept, which
allows music teachers to travel between schools; and
WHEREAS, While many districts have struggled to secure
funding for arts programs, McAllen has made supporting music
education a priority, and each year students showcase their talents
at hundreds of performances; the orchestra program has been offered
throughout the district since 1978, and more than 900 secondary
students currently participate; at the elementary school level,
over 400 students perform at the annual Fourth Grade Choral
Festival, and each school offers special ensembles, including
guitar, melodic percussion, and drum line; in a partnership with
the Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Success through Strings program
pairs 20 children with a professional violinist who teaches them
using the Suzuki method, incorporating string instruments resized
for their small hands but engineered to carry the same sound; and
WHEREAS, McAllen ISD believes that quality arts instruction
plays an integral role in children's education, enriching their
lives, enhancing their cognitive thinking skills, improving their
self-esteem, and giving them a sense of belonging, and the district
is indeed deserving of this prestigious honor; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the McAllen Independent School
District on its designation as a 2013 Best Community for Music
Education by the National Association of Music Merchants'
Foundation and extend to the district's students and teachers
sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for McAllen ISD as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Guerra
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1926 was adopted by the House on May
15, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House