We are pleased to announce that we received confirmation yesterday that the Northwestern High School Band earned the Outstanding Performance Award for the 2022-2023 school year. The OPA is the most prestigious award the South Carolina Band Directors Association gives each year to South Carolina band programs that perform at the highest in all SCBDA events, including Marching Band Championships, All-State and Region Band, Jazz Performance Assessment, Concert Performance Assessment, and Solo and Ensemble. The Northwestern Band has earned this award every it has been available since the 1991-92 school year. Congratulations on this award, and thank you for all your hard work and dedication throughout the year.
Additional information for the week includes:
Spring Jazz & Percussion Concert:
The Spring Jazz & Percussion Concert will be Tuesday, May 9, at 7:00 pm in the Northwestern band room. The concert will include the Northwestern Jazz Ensemble with guest soloist Rick Simerly on trombone and the Northwestern High School, Dutchman Creek, and Rawlinson Road Middle School Percussion Ensembles. There is no admission charge, and I hope everyone can attend our last public performance of the school year.
2023 Band Awards Night:
The 2023 Band Awards Night will be on Thursday, May 11. The evening will start with refreshments in the bandroom, including the world premiere of the 2023 Senior Video. At 7:00, we will move to the auditorium to present awards and recognize both the individual and group accomplishments over this past school year. We hope all the students, and their families, can attend to help us celebrate the outstanding achievements of this past year.
2023 Marching Band:
- The Spring Leadership Workshops will be held Thursday and Friday, May 4 and 5, from 3:50 to 4:30 in the band room. These are for any student interested in a leadership role in the future.
- Drum Major Auditions will be held May 15 – 18 from 4:00 to 5:30 pm in the band room. Additional information will be presented in class next week.
- Parents and students planning to participate in marching band next fall need to submit the registration form and $75.00 deposit by Friday, May 19. A link and QR code were included in the mailing sent to each family in late March and are also available HERE.
From the Booster President:
- Awards Night is May 11. Following past years’ traditions, we will enjoy some light food/drinks in the band room before the award presentations in the auditorium. 8th grade, freshman and sophomore families sign up to bring in food/drink items, junior families sign up to help clean up after the awards, and seniors get to sit back and enjoy. THIS SIGN-UP GENIUS has everything the membership committee needs to make the night spectacular.
- Memory books
- $40…cash, check, or BCPs (payment must be turned in before the book goes home)
- Seniors will receive their books on Awards Night
- Underclassmen will receive theirs Friday the 12th
- Autobell Gift Cards will be distributed the week of May 15
Band Fee Payments:
Some students still have outstanding balances for the 2022 marching band fees. You can pay with cash, check, or money order, place it in an envelope with your child’s name and the payment, and then have your child drop it by the band office. You can also deduct it from your child’s BCP account by filling out the form HERE. Another option is to pay it electronically directly to the school by clicking HERE. These fees must be paid as soon as possible as they will impact students’ participation in other events, such as prom. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Hawaii 2024 Information:
Students, families, and others may sign up for the Hawaii trip by clicking HERE.
If you could not attend one of our informational meetings, click HERE for the tentative trip itinerary, payment information, and a video to walk you through how to sign up for the trip.
Upcoming Performances:
May 4 & 5 Spring Leadership Workshops from 3:50 to 4:30 in the band room
May 9 Spring Jazz & Percussion Night – This is a change from the original schedule sent home in January
May 11 Band Awards Night
May 15-18 Drum Major Auditions
May 26 Commencement Performance for all 9th, 10th, and 11th, grade band students
BOLD PRINT events are required for all students in participating ensembles.
Please let us know if you are any questions or concerns, and thank you again for all you do for our students.
