Braswell High School's top jazz ensemble has been named a national winner in a competition run by The Foundation for Music Education, and Denton ISD trustees plan to recognize the group Tuesday night.
The Legacy One Jazz Orchestra was chosen as a 2026 Mark of Excellence National Winner in the National Jazz Honors category for high school jazz ensembles, according to the recognition notice posted with the board's Nov. 10 agenda. Just three other high school jazz groups nationwide got the same award, the district said.
The nonprofit Foundation for Music Education backs school music programs. Its annual Mark of Excellence contest singles out standout choirs, bands and orchestras at the middle and high school level.
Matt Sawyer directs the orchestra. His assistant directors are Jesus Martinez, Aaron Snipes and Taylor Sitzman. The district's list of honorees includes 19 musicians on saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass and drums, six of whom are listed as 2026 graduates.
Braswell sits at 26750 E. University Drive and carries an Aubrey address, though it is part of Denton ISD rather than Aubrey ISD.
A second national winner
The same notice lists a second Denton ISD national winner. Cheek Middle School's Honors Band took the top national award for Class A wind bands, an honor shared by just 16 other middle school programs. That band is led by Gregory Denson, with Eithan Moreno as assistant director.
The board's Tuesday agenda also sets aside time to recognize the district's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps instructors ahead of Veterans Day. They include Mark Lee, who leads the program at Braswell. The district describes its JROTC instructors as retired members of the military.
