Grisham Middle School Honors Band

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

Located in Austin, Texas the Grisham Middle School Band is comprised of 180 band members that set out to achieve the highest levels of musical excellence through performance. Grisham Middle School is an IB World School and is part of the Round Rock Independent School District and a proud feeder of Westwood High School. At Grisham Middle School, band begins in sixth grade. Mr. England and Mr. Estrada teach approximately 80 beginning band students daily in homogeneous classes. At Grisham, we prioritize tone production, technique, and rehearsal skills as some of our most important foundational skills. Our curriculum focuses on fostering a love of music in every student, achieving musicianship at the highest possible level, and developing students to leave our program better human beings and more productive members of society. Based on auditions, our seventh and eighth grade students are placed into our Honors or Symphonic Band. Students in both ensembles participate in the TMEA All-District and All-Region Band auditions in the fall of each year. All band students, from 6th-8th grade participate in a variety of performance styles including individual Solo Recitals, Chamber Ensembles and Ensemble Concerts. Both the Honors and Symphonic Bands participate yearly in the University Interscholastic League evaluation and have received sweepstakes awards consistently. Both ensembles have received best in class awards in festivals around the state of Texas, and our Honors Band has been a consistent finalist in the Texas Honor Band Competition. The Grisham Honors Band was named the Texas 2C Honor Band Winner in 2010. The Grisham Honors Band has won the National Mark of Excellence Award every year from 2008-2014, as well as from 2022-present. Students in the Symphonic and Honors Band are required to attend weekly sectionals, and our Honors Band students rehearse outside of the school day once per week. The Grisham private lesson program is an integral part of the success of the students. At Grisham, students are able to take private lessons during band class, Den class, or before/after school. Approximately 94% of all band students are enrolled in private lessons with about 15% of students receiving a scholarship to aid in their participation. The lesson staff at Grisham is of the highest caliber, with many having taught at Grisham for decades. Weekly lessons focus on building higher levels of musicianship, technique, tone, as well as preparation for solo contests and auditions. The Grisham Middle School Band is thrilled and honored to be performing at the 78th Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in December. This will be the Grisham Band's 5th performance at the Midwest Clinic.

Grisham Middle School Honors Band

Conductor's Bio

Mason England has served as the Director of Bands at Grisham Middle School in Austin, Texas since the fall of 2022. His teaching responsibilities include directing the Grisham Honors Band, assisting with the Symphonic Band, and teaching all Beginning Woodwind Classes. Musicians under Mr. England’s baton have received consistent UIL Sweepstakes awards. Under Mr. England’s direction, the 2022-2023 Grisham Honors Band was recently awarded the National Mark of Excellence Award for Wind Band Honors. Mr. England has served as Director of Bands at both the Middle and High School level in Western and Central Texas. Before moving to Texas, Mr. England worked in Michigan where he received his undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University. Mr. England is an avid arranger and drill writer, working with marching bands in Texas and Michigan during the Summer and Fall. Mr. England currently lives in Cedar Park, Texas.