Central Junior High School Symphonic Band

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

Central Junior High School is located west of Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. Central was named the #1 Most Diverse Public Middle School in Texas based on demographic data from the U.S. Department of Education. The school has over 1,100 students and 63% are economically disadvantaged. Almost 70% of the school participates in band, orchestra, or choir. It is also the only junior high school in the district to offer instruction in five languages (Chinese, Hindi, Arabic, Spanish, and French,) a STEM program, and advanced Pre-AP classes. Central is also unique among HEBISD junior highs in that students zoned for both L.D. Bell High School and Trinity High School attend the school. The school district serves over 23,000 students. Students attend elementary (grades K-6,) junior high (grades 7-9,) and high school (grades 10-12.) It has been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education for 12 years in a row. Approximately 300 children are a part of the Central Band. Instruction in band begins in seventh grade where students meet in homogeneous classes daily for 45 minutes. After the beginner year, students in 8th and 9th grade are placed into one of three performing bands. All three bands combine to form our pep band for community performances. Each performing band meet during the school day - and also attend an hour instrument-specific sectional before or after school once a week. The 8th and 9th grade members perform a fall, winter, and spring concert. The beginners are not taken in public until December. As individuals, the band consistently earns the highest number of junior high positions in the district and region bands. Over 95% of band members participate in the solo and ensemble process. The top performing ensemble is comprised of second and third year players. The band program has a long tradition of excellence and consistently earn the highest ratings at competition. Central Junior High was the last BBB Honor Band for the Texas Music Educators Association.

Central Junior High School Symphonic Band

Conductor's Bio

Mrs. Christine Belle Cumberledge has taught for twenty-three years, nineteen as the director of bands at Central Junior High in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. During this time, her bands have earned several honors, including being named the TMEA 2006 Honor Band. In 2003 the Central Band was second runner-up in the state at the same competition. She was the assistant director of bands at Bedford Junior High with Mr. Steve Madsen when they were named the TMEA 2000 Honor Band. She was a part of the L.D Bell High School Band cluster with Mr. Joseph Grzybowski for The Midwest Clinic performance in 1999. Her bands have been named Best in Class and Outstanding Overall Band at competitions throughout Texas, and earn the highest ratings at UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest. In 2017, Mrs. Cumberledge was named Music & Arts Music Educator of the Year. Her classroom was named a 2017-18 Continuous Improvement Demonstration Classroom for HEBISD. She was the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2006. She has been included numerous times in Who's Who Among America's Teachers and was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award. Her professional affiliations include: Phi Beta Mu, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota. She served as guest conductor and clinician for groups each year throughout Texas. Her Bachelor of Music Education Degree was earned from the University of North Texas, graduating cum laude. While at the University of North Texas, she studied clarinet with Dr. John Scott. She is a graduate of Samuel Clemens High School in Schertz, Texas. Mrs. Cumberledge received private instruction during high school from Mr. Larry Mentzer of the San Antonio Symphony. She resides in the DFW mid-cities area with her husband and daughter, along with their puppy Lady Doga and one bossy cat named Buttercup.