Members of the McKinney High School Royal Pride Band percussion section perform at halftime during a 2022 MHS Lions football game. (Photo courtesy of Troy Foster Photography)

McKinney, Texas – McKinney High School has been named one of only three winning high schools in the 2023 International Percussion Ensemble Competition (IPEC), marking the first time that the school has earned the national award. MHS entered the contest by submitting recordings of its percussion ensemble performances from this past spring.

Each year, IPEC judges award recognition to percussion ensembles from only one middle school/junior high, three high schools and three collegiate groups from across the country. For 2023, the other winners were North Gwinnett Middle School, Keller Central High School, Liberty High School, Florida State University, Indiana University and Texas A&M University–Commerce.

Members of the McKinney High School Royal Pride Band percussion section perform at halftime during a 2022 MHS Lions football game. (Photo courtesy of Troy Foster Photography)

With the award, the MHS Percussion Ensemble and Percussion Director Tyler Nechamkin earned not only national accolades, but also the highly coveted invitation to perform at the prestigious Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), held each fall in Indianapolis. MHS Band Director Brandon Fisher said that it is the highest honor that a high school percussion ensemble can receive.

“We are so proud of Mr. Nechamkin and his students for the high honor of being selected for this prestigious performance!” said Fisher. “This is a great testament to the hard work and dedication that is happening within the McKinney High School Band Program, and we are so excited to continue to see these amazing students reach their fullest potential.”

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