Band Awards
John Philip Sousa Band Award
John Phillips Sousa is without a doubt the most famous band master in the world. Sousa brought band music to its pinnacle as a director of the United States Marine Band. In his own Sousa Band he traveled all over the world premiering and performing band music to royalty, commanders and commoners alike. In fact, it can be said that if it weren’t for John Phillips Sousa school bands as we know them would not exist. Introduced in 1955 to honor the top student in high school bands, 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.
Qualifications:
2014
Cy Leal
Kevin Tomoso
2013
Janeigh Gutierrez
Colton Rafanan
2012
Cheré Costales
Erika Magarifuji
Qualifications:
- Four-year member of the band program.
- Served at least one year as both section leader and band officer.
- Outstanding musicianship and ability.
- Extreme dedication to the band program.
- Demonstrations of personal and professional qualities including citizenship, dependability, strong leaderships skills and contributions above and beyond the call of duty to the band.
- The highest combined points for their four years.
2014
Cy Leal
Kevin Tomoso
2013
Janeigh Gutierrez
Colton Rafanan
2012
Cheré Costales
Erika Magarifuji
Patrick S. Gilmore Award
Patrick S. Gilmore was a legendary bandmaster who organized concerts with thousands of musicians and performed for audiences of 50,000. He held the first "Promenade Concert in America" in 1855, the forerunner to today's Boston Pops and set up "Gilmore's Concert Garden," which would later become Madison Square Garden. He was the Musical Director of the entire nation in effect, performing for every president of his day, including Abraham Lincoln, and leading the festivities for the 1876 Centennial celebrations in Philadelphia and the dedication of the Staue of Liberty in 1886. The Gilmore Band Award was introduced in 1994 in honor of the legendary bandmaster and impresario.
Qualifications:
Recipients:
2014
None
2013
Kirk Sibonga
2012
None
Qualifications:
- Four-year member of the band program.
- Served at least one year as both section leader and band officer.
- Outstanding musicianship and ability.
- Extreme dedication to the band program.
- Demonstrations of personal and professional qualities including citizenship, dependability, strong leaderships skills and contributions above and beyond the call of duty to the band.
- The second highest total points for their four years.
Recipients:
2014
None
2013
Kirk Sibonga
2012
None
Arion Award
Established in 1948 to give national recognition to senior members chosen by their schools for outstanding accomplishments and achievements in music, the Arion Award serves as one of the oldest and most prestigious national awards for band, orchestra, and chorus. Students who receive the Arion Award achieve excellency in both academic and community standing. It is named after the Greek mythical figure Arion, who was tossed into the sea by robbers but rescued and carried to safety by dolphins charmed by his music.
Qualifications:
Recipient:
2014
Keokoa Mahi
2013
Ray Tengan
2012
Sean Grogan
Qualifications:
- 3-4-year member of the music program.
- Served at least one year as section leader and/or band officer.
- Outstanding musicianship and ability.
- Outstanding contribution to their scholastic and community standing.
- Extreme dedication to the music program.
- Demonstrations of personal and professional qualities including citizenship, dependability, strong leaderships skills and contributions above and beyond the call of duty to the band.
Recipient:
2014
Keokoa Mahi
2013
Ray Tengan
2012
Sean Grogan
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
The Louis Armstrong Award was inaugurated in 1974 with the consent of his widow shortly after this great jazz artist died in 1971. It is considered highly prestigious and given out by high schools nationwide to a limit of one student per year to recognize "outstanding musical achievement and an incredible dedication to the program."
Qualifications:
Recipient:
2014
Joshua Demetropoulos
2013
Mikhayla Bell-Mulka
2012
Nolan Fujiwara
Qualifications:
- Four-year member of the Big Band.
- Served at least one year as section leader and/or band officer.
- Outstanding musicianship and ability.
- Extreme dedication to the Big Band.
- Demonstrations of personal and professional qualities including citizenship, dependability, strong leaderships skills and contributions above and beyond the call of duty to the band.
Recipient:
2014
Joshua Demetropoulos
2013
Mikhayla Bell-Mulka
2012
Nolan Fujiwara