Congratulations to all of our students for a fantastic performance last night! Ms. Carlson and I are both very pleased with everything, and we have received congratulations from several district-level administrators, as well as Mr. Massey and some of Northwestern’s Assistant Principals. I am also very pleased to announce that the Northwestern Bands have once again received the South Carolina Band Directors Association Outstanding Performance Award for the 2021-2022 school year. This award is considered the highest achievement by the SCBDA and represents the hard work out students have put in throughout all areas of our band program. Only 37 high schools in the state earned the OPA this year, and we are among the select few who have achieved this honor for 30 straight years! The award will be formally presented during the awards ceremony on Thursday, May 12th.
Additional announcements:
- The jazz band and percussion ensemble concert is Tuesday, May 10th at 7:00 pm in the band room. The concert will feature the NHS Senior Jazz Ensemble as well as the percussion ensembles from Northwestern, Dutchman Creek, and Rawlinson Road.
- Band awards night is Thursday, May 12, and will start with desserts and fellowship in the band room at 6:00 pm, then move to the auditorium for awards at 7:00 pm. We need your help to make this celebration a success! Below is a list of assistance needed:
- If your student’s last name begins with A-L, please bring an appetizer
- If your student’s last name begins with M-Z, please bring a dessert
- Sophomore and Junior Parents: Please help with the clean-up in the band room and the auditorium after the event
- Senior Parents: If possible, please help us set up for the event! The exact times and details will be communicated soon.
- If you haven’t ordered your memory book yet, you can still do so by contacting Kim Shaw at [email protected]. The cost is $40.00 and books are expected to arrive before May 13.
- Students who are registered for marching band next fall should have received a letter in early April with information and schedules for band camp and the fall season. Please submit your registration and deposit by May 20th. If you did not receive this letter, please contact the band office as soon as possible.
- Drum Major training workshops and auditions will be held on May 16-19 from 4:00-5:30 each day. All rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who participated in the band last fall are welcome to attend.
- Color Guard Spring Training Workshops will be held May 16-19 from 4:00-6:00 pm each day in the band room. Any student interested in joining the color guard is encouraged to attend, no experience necessary! Please invite your friends!
- There will be an optional marching band music rehearsal on Tuesday, May 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the band room. This is for all students enrolled in marching band in the fall, as well as any students who are still considering joining the band. We will distribute marching instruments that evening, and begin to look at show music for next fall.
- Friday, May 20 we will have a band cook-out to say goodbye to our graduating seniors and their families, and to welcome our rising 9th-grade students and families. Please be sure to attend!
- Outstanding band fees need to be paid as soon as possible. Information about past-due fees was mailed in March. If you did not receive this letter, or you have questions about your fees, please contact Mr. Yost or Ms. Carlson.
As always, please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for supporting the Northwestern Band!
