HUTTO — The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation has named the Hutto Independent School District as one of the 2025 Best Communities for Music Education.
This is the second time the district has received the nationwide distinction, with the first accolade in 2021.
“This recognition reflects the unwavering dedication of our educators, students and community to the arts. Music education is a vital component of our students' development, and we’re proud to see our collective efforts honored on a national stage,” said Joe Rush, Hutto ISD director of fine arts.
Criteria for the award include performance opportunities, teacher certifications, facilities, accessibility, interdisciplinary collaboration, administrative support and course offerings.
School districts must also demonstrate they provide music access and education to all students, officials said.
Hutto ISD offers music classes and a folklorico dance program at Hutto Elementary School. The Hutto secondary schools have programs in guitar, choir, band and orchestra, officials said.
While theater programs don’t qualify for the award, Rush praised the achievements of Hutto’s fine arts department and noted students under theater teacher Rene Fulton attended state championships for their one-act play this spring.
In the last few years, like many other Central Texas schools, Hutto ISD has seen overall growth with the fine arts department experiencing a significant increase in student participation.
Ryan Manders, the new head band director at Hutto High School, said the program now has more than 300 students, which brings with it the challenges of logistics and maintaining standards of excellence.
“We’re very, very lucky to be in a community that values the arts and we’re very lucky to be in Hutto,” Rush said. “I may have a biased opinion, but Hutto is one of the premier districts there is for education and particularly fine arts education. Our administration knows that our (school) board and our community are very supportive and we’re very thankful.”
Meanwhile, Hutto’s color guard jumped from 18 to 67 students.
Manders said one example of the support received from trustees took place during a marching-band festival in Leander two years ago when board President Billie Logiudice showed up to cheer them on, even though she didn’t have a child of her own performing.
“She came to support us …This is probably the most surreal thing that I could witness as an educator: The person at the top taking the time out of her weekend to watch our kids perform,” Manders said. “I think it’s a prime example that this school is a great place to be.”
According to the NAMM website, the BCME award –– one of the foundation’s signature programs –– is now in its 26th year. Two commendations are given each year: BCME for school districts and the SupportMusic Merit Award for individual school sites.
“Over 1,000 districts and individual school sites (public, private, charter, parochial) are recognized for having the highest commitment to producing exceptional music programs,” the site states.
