FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CLOVIS, N.M. — Two Clovis Municipal Schools music ensembles have earned prestigious statewide recognition and will perform at the 2027 New Mexico Music Educators Association All-State Music Festival and In-Service Conference in January.

The Clovis High School Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Dustyn Crane, has been selected as the 2027 NMMEA Alternative Honor Ensemble. Rhythmic Joy from The Arts Academy at Bella Vista, under the direction of Sara Hennessy, has been selected as the 2027 NMMEA General Music Honor Ensemble.

Both ensembles are scheduled to perform Friday during the NMMEA conference.

The honor ensemble selection process is highly competitive, with music programs submitting audition recordings for consideration. Selection provides student musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents before music educators and peers from across New Mexico.

For the Clovis High School Percussion Ensemble, the recognition is especially significant as this was the ensemble's first time submitting an audition recording for consideration.

“The students worked hard all year in an effort to submit a recording,” Crane said. “This is the first time they have submitted a recording, and they were lucky enough to be selected! The students worked incredibly hard and deserve this opportunity!”

At The Arts Academy at Bella Vista, the selection marks the second time an elementary ensemble under Hennessy's direction has received the prestigious NMMEA honor. Rhythmic Joy was previously selected as the elementary honor group in 2013.

“I am absolutely thrilled to showcase the exceptional talents of our young musicians at the upcoming New Mexico Music Educators Association Conference in January,” Hennessy said.

Hennessy said the performance will also highlight The Arts Academy at Bella Vista's unique approach to integrating the arts throughout the educational experience.

“I am equally excited to share how The Arts Academy students and staff beautifully blend the arts and other content areas,” Hennessy said. “The students will sing, dance and play a variety of instruments and show how joyful music-making can be.”

The selection of two ensembles from Clovis Municipal Schools highlights the strength of music and arts education across the district, from the elementary level through high school. Students in both ensembles will have the opportunity to represent their schools, the district and the Clovis community on a statewide stage.

The 2027 NMMEA All-State Music Festival and In-Service Conference will be held Jan. 6-9, 2027, at the University of New Mexico.

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