Band Awards
Band Letters
Band Members earn a Band Letter after 4 semesters of participation in the program, with at least two of those being Marching Band (this was adjusted due to the COVID season to 6 semesters without Marching Band but that change expires with the Class of 2023).
Participating in multiple ensembles during the same semester earns "bars" for that event, but does not count twice towards the Band Letter. However, the Director reserves the right to award band letters to students who may have joined the program as upperclassmen (from another school, for example).
Winter Guard and Indoor Drumline do count towards the Band Letter.
Participating as an 8th Grade Marcher does count towards the Band Letter. Participating with the Band in other ways (winter guard/indoor) as an 8th grader can count, as long as the member was also involved in Marching Band in the same year.
Students who do not "letter" in Band are, of course, welcome to purchase a letter to put their bars and pins on. The letter that is awarded for Band is specific to us.
Students are recognized for participation in Marching Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band with bars (large gold for Marching Band, small silver for Concert Band and small silver for Jazz Band - students who do both semesters of Concert Band receive a large Silver Bar).
Students receive a "Jazz" pin the first year they are in Jazz Band. Students receive a silver bar for each subsequent semester that they are involved in the activity.
Students who march Color Guard are given a "flag pin" the first year they march guard and then are recognized with a gold bar for subsequent years.
Student Leaders are recognized with a Gold Star pin the each year they are a leader.
Band Medals
Band Medals are awarded to students in December who are selected as members of the Buncombe County All-County Band. Band Medals are also awarded to students in May (at Awards Night) for being selected to All-District Band and All-Region Jazz Band. Students who are selected for the All-State Honors Band receive a trophy for this honor.
Special Recognitions
Students are also recognized at Band Awards Night for other achievements, contributions to the program, etc. We often have some MVP awards for students who have gone "above and beyond" for musical achievements. The awards vary from year to year and are generally given at the discretion of the Director and other staff (Assistant Director, Color Guard Instructor, Percussion Instructor, etc.).
SENIOR BAND AWARDS and Senior RecogniTion
Seniors who are involved in Marching Band are recognzed with the other Fall Sports Members at the last home Football game of the Season. Seniors (and escorts) have their names announced pre-game. Any Senior involved in the activity (regardless of time with the program) is recognized in this manner.
Seniors who have been actively involved in the program for at least two (or more) semesters are honored with a plaque on Band Awards Night (all participating Seniors are recognized). Also, Seniors often choose to "say a few words" as a parting thought on Band Awards Night as well.
Plaque Awards
Awards that recognize students on a plaque in the Band Room (and a personal plaque) are the Band Leadership Award, the Director's Award for Band, and the Yay Band Hall of Fame (located in the Instrument Storage Room).
In order to be considered for the Director's Award for Band members must be a currently enrolled Senior in the Band Program, have auditioned for All-County and/or All-District Band and/or All-Region Jazz Band, and have been involved in the Band Program for at least one year (being selected for All-District is not a requirement).
In order to be considered for the Band Leadership Award students must be a leader in the Band Program and have made a significant impact on their fellow students.
The Yay Band Hall of Fame commemorates the student (or students) chosen to be the "keeper of the Yay Band" (a tradition started by Phillip Morris, Class of 2019). The commemorative plaque was created (and initially maintained by Jacob Raine, co-keeper of the Yay Band for the 2022-2024 seasons). the "Keeper of the Yay Band" is passed down from one "keeper" to another upon graduation.
The john Phillip SOusa Award
The Sousa Award is the pinnacle of achievement in a high school band.
Introduced in 1955 to honor the top student in the high school band, the John Philip Sousa Band Award® recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication. It was created with the approval of Helen Sousa Albert and Priscilla Sousa, daughters of the famous composer and bandmaster.
National Sousa Registry
Names of winning students, current and previous is posted online. This national registry will become a permanent record of students’ achievements, and will be open for viewing by friends, family, and college admission departments. Go to www.sousawinners.com to register or view current and past winners.
In order to be considered for the John Philip Sousa Band Award a student must be a currently enrolled senior, have auditioned for All-County Band, All-District Band, and/or All-Region Jazz Band. Many winners of the JPS have represented the band at the County, District, or Regional level and many have gone on to careers in Music.
Our John Philip Sousa Award winners have all Held The Line with their integrity, musicianship, dedication, and hard work.
John Philip Sousa Award Winners
2023- Katiana Wilhelm
2022 - Alexis Shafir
2021 - Anna Banzhoff
2020 - Throop Smith
2020 - Katie Martin
2019 - Clay Blankenship
2019 - Drew Banzhoff
2018 - Wes Owen
2017 - Ross Turman
2016 - Kendyl Robertson
2015 - Josue Hernandez (?)
2014 - Aaron Hamrick
2013 - Dwayne Mundy
2012 - Brian Kraak
2011 - Katie Russell
2010 - Sam Just
2009 - Hannah Torrence
2008 - Matt Russell
2007 - Parker Lee
2006 - Stephen Mason
2005 - Claire Curtis
2004 - Jonathan Dillingham
2003 - Blake Hart
2002 - Helen Tate
2001 - Jason Slaughter
2001 - Jason Plummer
2000 - Stephanie Whitlark
1999 - John Haynes
1998 - Josh Wilhelm
1997 - Dwight Mills
Let us know if you know 1993-1996
1992 - Janelle Morgan
1991 - Jan Parrish
1990 - David Robinson
1989 - Phillip Morgan
Let us know if you know 1981-1989
1980 - Gene Blankenship
Let us know if you know pre-1980