June 30, 2025 - For the sixth consecutive year, Comal ISD has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding support and commitment to music education. Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.
“We are honored to receive this designation once more. It is a testament to the 75 music educators who share their passions, talents and expertise with our students and communities every day,” says Gary Cooper, Comal ISD director of fine arts. “They are truly making a difference.”
Music education in Comal ISD isn’t contained inside the classroom but shared through performances throughout the community including San Antonio Spurs games, local festivals and parades as well as district events and senior-living communities. Students share their musical talents in choirs, orchestras, drumlines, and steel-drum groups, just to name a few.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, the district answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by the leading arts educational research firm, WolfBrown.
Comal ISD Music Educators
Elementary: Samantha Carter, KRES; Kim Curtis, TPES; Trina Dayley, FSES; Frank De Leon, CSES; Julia Eichholz, ASES; Jennifer Horne, RCES; Sam Ikels, STZES; Jenny Jeske, GRES; Jennifer Loehr, OCES; Jessica Lopez, GFES; Kaitlin McGallicher, MES; Erika Money, MYES; Wendy Morrissey, CCES; Steven Robbins, HLES; Keilly Schrey, FES; Venessa Sloan, ISES; Kelly Taylor, JRES; Alice Tuckness, MVES; Reagan Wilson, BBES; and Lyndsea Woodall, RBES.
Middle School: Danielle Aicher, BMS; Cierra Alley, SBMS; Camryn Bly, CMS; Danette Conard, MVMS; Jared Delgado, MVMS; Todd Dennis, SVMS/SBMS; Courtney Flagg, BMS; Nichele Gonzales, DMS; James Hargreaves, SVMS; Karen Helsley, CHMS; Jennifer Hoskins, DMS; Spencer Katz, SVMS; Colin Lekki, MVMS; Kelsey Lien, DMS; Taylor Lovato-Cruz, BMS; Phelecia Neal, CMS; Rachel Pruitt, CHMS; Azziya Richardson, CMS; Cody Richardson, SBMS; Stephen “Doug” Rickaway, PRMS; Fredy Solis, CHMS; Brooks Taylor, CHMS; Kendal Tucker, PRMS; Dain Vereen, PRMS; Austin Vogelman, SBMS; Monty Williams, PRMS;
High School: Robby Andrade, SVHS; Brad Arnold, CHS; Preston Beck, CHS; Evan Berry, PHS; Mike Childress, SVHS; Allyn Conner, PHS; Diana Cooper, SVHS; Fernanda Cueva, CHS/CMS; Jordan Davis, CLHS; Gid De La Rosa, DHS; Marli Dority, DHS; Scott Duncan, SVHS; Ainsley Ford, SVHS/SVMS; Penny Gabrielsen, CLHS; Ed Gonzales, CLHS; Macy Harmison, CHS; Richard Helsley, PHS; Travis Land, SVHS; Michael Lehmann, DHS; Scott Lowe, PHS; Jay Martin, CHS; Tyler McClendon, DHS; Lynn Milbourne, CHS; Angel Raygoza, DHS/DMS; Thomas Shafer, PHS; Andrew Specht, PHS; Steve Vaden, CHS; Lyndsey Walker, CLHS/MVMS; Klaus Weinelt, SVHS;
The NAMM Foundation is the charitable arm of the National Association of Music Merchants, the global trade association for the music products industry. The foundation works to remove systemic barriers that limit access to music-making and career pathways in the music industry. By investing in bold ideas and innovative solutions, we strive to build inclusive and thriving musical communities. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.
Congratulations!
Photo descriptions
-Comal ISD Board of Trustees recognized its music educators at its monthly meeting on June 26.
-Members of the Indian Springs Elementary choir performed for the Board of Trustees during its January meeting.
-Musicians from Davenport High School performed for the Board of Trustees during its January meeting for School Board Appreciation Month.
-The Canyon Lake High School band performed during the Comal County parade.
-Orchestra performance.
-Elementary musicians perform during Wassailfest.
-Moutain Valley Middle School band performs at a San Antonio Spurs game.