On March 27th, Concordia’s Symphonic Band and Handbell Ensemble members traveled to Temple, TX to compete in the TAPPS 6A State Instrumental Music Championships. The students did an outstanding job representing Concordia as they successfully defended their 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 State Titles and became the 2026 TAPPS 6A Instrumental Music State Champions!
At this large ensemble and handbell state competition, the Crusaders featured six performances. The Symphonic Band earned the highest rating possible with all three judges giving the Crusaders a “1" superior rating, plus a “1" superior rating in sight-reading. These results combined earned our Symphonic Band the coveted “Sweepstakes” award. Jazz Band and the Sader Seven Jazz Combo both also earned all “1” superior ratings from their three judges. Handbell Ensemble and a Handbell Duet both earned “2” excellent ratings. In addition, sophomore, Penny Shivers, earned a “1” superior rating on a solo handbell piece where she played 27 bells by herself!
TAPPS Instrumental Music Championships is the culmination of three state events throughout the year. Concordia’s quest for the 2025-2026 State Title began in October with 85 points earned in the Fall Band Championships. This included all “1” superior ratings and a state championship finish in their Field Band division and a state runner-up finish in their Drumline tier. In February, TAPPS hosted Solo and Small Ensemble contests throughout the state where Concordia earned an additional 248 points being tallied toward the Crusader’s final year total. Out of 41 total events (pieces of music to learn), Crusaders earned 32 “1” superior ratings and 9 “2” excellent ratings. Concordia also had six students earn the highest award of "All-State Honors” which is earning a “1” superior rating on a class 1 solo, the hardest solo difficulty. These two categories as well as the Large Ensemble performances in Temple (280 points) were combined to crown the top school.
Concordia secured the 6A Instrumental Music state championship with a total score of 613 points, finishing over 300 points ahead of runner-up Liberty Christian School (Argyle, TX) and third place Antonian College Preparatory (San Antonio, TX). The 280 points earned by Concordia in the Large Ensemble competition was the highest point total for any school across TAPPS’ six divisions. Over the last three years, the Crusader’s 613 points is a higher total than 582 in 2025 and 584 in 2024.
According to Mr. Held, CLHS Director of Fine Arts and Director of Instrumental Music, he shared these thoughts: “I am so humbled by the growth and hard work of all of our students. Last year, we graduated our largest senior class last year of 20 students. 53% of our band was new to the ensemble, including 22 freshmen. In addition to a great group of students, we wouldn’t be where we are without the numerous wonderful teachers who came in to work with our students over the year, especially our new assistant director, Mrs. Kellie Hill, and our handbell director, Mrs. Marge Harris. Great teachers with amazing new fine arts facilities opening next year means the sky is the limit for fine arts, especially music, at Concordia!”
He continued: “More than the state championships, our goal is to make each performance the best one yet. The “Sweepstakes” award is a testament of this process. In addition to earning all 1’s in your contest pieces, sweepstakes means we earned a 1 in sight-reading. Sight-reading is a great gauge of a program because you are given 10 minutes to teach and perform a never-before-seen band piece at a high musical level. To earn sweepstakes, you need to be an exemplary band.”
Finally, Mr. Held shared, “Through it all, our mission to share God’s love and Gospel through music is the center of what we do in CLHS Fine Arts. Our featured contest piece was entitled: Faith: Memories in Song and Celebration. It uses the doxology to reflect on the sadness of death while looking ahead to the certain hope we have of a heavenly reunion thanks to Christ Jesus. It is a powerful reminder of what God has done for each of us."
You can hear the instrumental ensembles performing at our admission free final concerts of the year:
- Spring Band Festival – Thursday, April 16th at 6:30 pm at Concordia (featuring bands from Concordia, Salem Lutheran School, and Trinity Klein Lutheran School)
- Pops Concert (featuring all instrumental and vocal ensembles) – Saturday, May 9th at 6 pm at Concordia
Soli Deo Gloria! (To God Alone be the Glory)
For more information on our Fine Arts, visit www.sadernationtx.com/finearts