The Elkins High School Band and Guard concluded an impressive 2025–2026 marching season this month with an unforgettable performance of Metalmorphosis — an epic and imaginative retelling of the Tin Man’s journey to find a heart. This powerful story came to life through the dedication, passion, and incredible talent of the Elkins Band and Guard students, who delivered every note, step, and visual with precision and emotion.

Under the guidance of an exceptional team of directors — Joseph Chen, Hannah Scott, Christopher Dial, and Jalissa Facundo — the Elkins Band and Guard continue to build a legacy rooted in hard work, artistry, and character development. Their shared motto, “Excellence is in the Details,” reflects the program’s commitment to nurturing students not only as musicians and performers but also as responsible, confident young adults. Through music, these students develop invaluable life skills such as leadership, discipline, teamwork, citizenship, and accountability — lessons that will serve them well beyond the stage or football field.

Remarkable achievements have marked this past year. Multiple ensembles within the program — including the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Gold’n Blues Jazz Ensemble — were recognized nationally for their outstanding musicianship. They received both the Mark of Excellence and Citation of Excellence awards from The Foundation for Music Education, which honors top-performing school music programs across the country.

In fall 2025, the Elkins Band reached a significant milestone at the Bands of America South Houston Regional Championship, one of the most competitive and respected marching contests in the country. The band placed 13th out of 29 competitors, performing among some of the finest programs in the region. This placement reflects their exceptional level of performance and signals Elkins’ growing prominence on both the Texas and national marching band scene.

The band also celebrated a first-place finish at the Channelview Marching Competition in October. Competing in the 6A class, they earned Best Music in preliminaries and went on to win First Place and Grand Champion during finals. Earlier that same day, the program earned straight one ratings at the UIL Region competition — a remarkable accomplishment in a single day of competition.

Adding to the program’s accolades, the Elkins Percussion Ensemble has been invited to perform at the prestigious 79th Midwest Clinic in Chicago this December — a rare and remarkable honor. This marks a historic first for Elkins High School, as no ensemble from the school has ever performed at this world-renowned music education conference. It is also only the second time in Fort Bend ISD history that a percussion ensemble has been selected to perform at the national level — a testament to the excellence and innovation of the Elkins percussion program.

The continued success of the band and guard would not be possible without the unwavering support of the Elkins Band Booster Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization composed of dedicated parents and community volunteers. The booster club works tirelessly throughout the year, serving as officers, chairpersons, and volunteers for numerous events, competitions, and fundraisers.

Each season, the booster club contributes thousands of volunteer hours and manages more than $200,000 in direct financial support, covering essential costs such as hiring clinicians, purchasing instruments, uniforms, and props, securing show music, and providing meals during rehearsals, camps, game days, and competitions.

Together, the Elkins High School Band and Guard, their directors, and their supportive community continue to set a high standard for music education — one performance at a time.

To learn more or follow their journey, visit elkinsband.org.com