Sunset Ridge Band Accolades

The Sunset Ridge band students have achieved the following accolades since Dr. Kunz came to Sunset Ridge in 2013:

2013-2014

Superior - DVUSD Spring Band Assessment (pilot year)

Superior with Distinction - AMEA Pageant of Bands (7th and 8th combined)

All-State - 2 8th graders accepted

DVUSD Honor Band - 

Acceptance into Disneyland Recording Studio Workshop (May 2014)

2014-2015

Excellent - DVUSD Fall Band Assessment

Excellent - DVUSD Spring Band Assessment

Excellent - AMEA Pageant of Bands (6th grade)

All-State Band - 2 8th graders, 2 7th graders, 3 6th graders accepted

DVUSD Honor Band - approximately 15 total students accepted

2015-2016

Excellent - DVUSD Fall Band Assessment

Superior with Distinction - DVUSD Spring Band Assessment

Superior with Distinction - AMEA Pageant of Bands (grades 6 and 7 combined)

Acceptance to Disneyland Studio Recording Workshop (February 2016)

All-State Band - 1 8th grader, 2 7th graders, 3 6th graders accepted

DVUSD Honor Band - approximately 17 total students accepted

2016-2017

Superior with Distinction - DVUSD Fall Band Assessment

Superior with Distinction - DVUSD Spring Band Assessment

All-State Band - 3 8th graders, 2 7th graders, 3 6th graders accepted

DVUSD Honor Band - 20+ Sunset Ridge students accepted

Consistency Award - given to director(s) and bands with two Superior with Distinctions in one school year at DVUSD assessment performances. Results in director being a clinician at the following DVUSD performance assessments (for next school year).

Albertson's Education Grant - awarded $5000 from Albertson's (October 2016)

Teacher of the Year Nomination - Dr. Kunz nominated for DVUSD Teacher of the Year

2017-2018

Consistency Award - first band awarded this honor. As such, students were exempt from festival performances.

DVUSD Honor Band - 20+ students in grades 6-8 accepted

All-State Band - 2 8th graders, 3 7th graders, 4 6th graders accepted 

Teacher of the Year Nomination - Dr. Kunz nominated for DVUSD Teacher of the Year

Acceptance into Disneyland Studio Recording Workshop (May 2018) 

2018-2019

DVUSD Honor Band - 6 6th graders selected; 9 7th/8th graders selected

All-State Band - 4 6th graders selected; 4 7th graders auditioned in; 1 8th grader auditioned in

DVUSD Fall Assessment - Students awarded Excellent rating

6th Grade All-State Band Clincian - Dr. Caryn Kunz awarded clincian status for 6th grade All-State Band. This is voted on by directors from across the state of Arizona!

Pageant of Bands - combined 6th and Concert Band awarded Gold rating

DVUSD Spring Assessment - Students awarded Excellent rating

2019-2020

DVUSD Honor Band - 5 6th graders selected; 10 7th/8th graders selected

All-State Band - 2 6th graders selected; 2 8th graders auditioned in

DUVSD Fall Assessment - Students awarded Excellent rating

Acceptance and participation in Disneyland Studio Recording Workshop (February 2020)

2020-2021

Due to Covid-19, all events were shelved. There were no assessments, concerts, Honor Band, etc... looking forward to adding these events back in for the 2021-2022 school year. 

2021-2022

DVUSD Fall Performance Assessment - Superior rating

DVUSD Honor Band - 18 total participants - (4 6th grade; 14 Middle School) -- Dr. Kunz served as DVUSD Honor Band Coordinator/Chairperson

All-State Band - 6 participants -- 7th and 8th grade auditioned for acceptance! (2 6th grade; 1 7th grade; 3 8th grade)

DVUSD Spring Performance Assessment - Superior with Distinction rating

2022-2023

ADE Grant - Sunset Ridge awarded a grant through Arizona Department of Education. With this, 4th grade students got 12 Nuvo Toots and the Windstar Teacher Curriculum guide. This has put a more approachable flute into the hands of all 4th grade students.

DVUSD Fall Performance Assessment - Superior with Distinction rating 

DVUSD Honor Band - 18 total participants (9 6th grade; 9 middle school) -- Dr. Kunz serves as DVUSD Honor Band Team Lead.

All-State Band - 6 participants accepted (5 6th grade and 1 7th grade). 

ABODA Area Festival -- Superior with Distinction rating 

ABODA STATE Festival -- Superior with Distinction rating

Consistency Award - given to director(s) and bands with two Superior with Distinctions in one school year at DVUSD assessment performances. Results in director being a clinician at the following DVUSD performance assessments (for next school year).  

Teacher of the Year Nomination - Dr. Kunz nominated for DVUSD Teacher of the Year  

2023-2024 

September 2023 -- Band recognized at DVUSD Governing Board Meeting for ABODA State Superior with Distinction rating from May 2023. 

Band Curriculums listed below: