Band Awards

Band Awards & Special Recognition

The following awards are presented each year:

John Philip Sousa 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. This award that bears his name is given to the student band member who has earned the most points in high school.
Qualifications:
1. Outstanding musicianship and ability
2. Extreme dedication to his or her band program
3. Strong leaderships skills and contributions above and beyond the call of duty to their band.
4. High moral values
5. High academic achievement
6. The highest total points for their four years.

Patrick S. Gilmore Award:
The United States Instrumentalist Company founded this award to honor additional students who are outstanding in their bands. Patrick S. Gilmore was a legendary band master. Among his achievements he organized concerts with thousands of musicians and performed for audiences in the 50,000 numbers of people.
Qualifications:
1. Musicianship and ability
2. Contributions to their band program
3. Demonstrations of personal and professional qualities including citizenship, dependability, going above and beyond the call of duty
4. Second highest total points for their four years.

Arion Award:
A foundation established to give national recognition to senior members chosen by their schools for outstanding accomplishments and achievements in band. Students who receive the Arion Award attain both academic and community standing. Because of its prestige, the Arion Award has been a major factor in obtaining scholarship offers.
Qualifications:
1. The individual’s contribution to his/her group
2. Performing ability and their musicianship
3. Their scholastic standing
4. Demonstration of personal and professional qualities in keeping with the school standards
5. Highest total points for their four years.

Semper Fidelis Award:
Presented by the United State Marine Corps:
Not only does the young musician have to maintain a high degree of proficiency with an instrument through practice and rehearsal, but they must also maintain passing grades and devote time to extra curricular needs of the band. In doing so, the high school musician displays traits the Marines consider essential: Endurance, Knowledge, Unselfishness, Dependability, Enthusiasm and Loyalty. To help high schools promote recognition of these achievements and the sacrifices the musicians will make, the Marine Corps provides the Semper Fidelis Music Award. A tradition that dates back to the days of John Phillips Sousa and his role in making the Marine Corps Band a premiere musical unit it is today, The President’s Own Band.

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

Woody Herman Jazz Award

Pulaski Music Booster College Scholarships