John Philip Sousa Band Award
John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) was the longtime director of The President's Own Marine Band, and a prolific composer and arranger. He championed the cause of music education, received several honorary degrees, and found for composers' rights.
Introduced in 1955 to honor the top student in the high school band, the John Philip Sousa Award recognizes superior musicianship, dependability, loyalty, and cooperation. It was created with the approval of Helen Sousa Albert and Priscilla Sousa, daughters of the famous composer and bandmaster. The pinnacle of achievement in a high school band program, the John Philip Sousa Award has become a nationwide symbol of excellence in musical achievement.
We, here at Cherokee Bluff, honor our most deserving band member each year by presenting him or her with the John Philip Sousa Award. We also believe that the Sousa Award recognizes all of the qualities that the directors strive to develop in all students.
Introduced in 1955 to honor the top student in the high school band, the John Philip Sousa Award recognizes superior musicianship, dependability, loyalty, and cooperation. It was created with the approval of Helen Sousa Albert and Priscilla Sousa, daughters of the famous composer and bandmaster. The pinnacle of achievement in a high school band program, the John Philip Sousa Award has become a nationwide symbol of excellence in musical achievement.
We, here at Cherokee Bluff, honor our most deserving band member each year by presenting him or her with the John Philip Sousa Award. We also believe that the Sousa Award recognizes all of the qualities that the directors strive to develop in all students.
2020 - Matthew Scott Tingley
2021 - Michael Brandon Crouse
2022 - William Earle Akridge
2021 - Michael Brandon Crouse
2022 - William Earle Akridge
Leonard Bernstein Musicianship Award
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) is celebrated as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He led the way in advocating an open attitude about what constituted "good" music, actively bridging the gap between classical music, Broadway musicals, jazz, and rock, and he seized new media for its potential to reach diverse communities of listeners, young and old.
The Leonard Bernstein Award honors outstanding students for their creativity, musicianship and whose musical contributions and dedication set them apart as deserving of the highest recognition for their achievements.
The Leonard Bernstein Award honors outstanding students for their creativity, musicianship and whose musical contributions and dedication set them apart as deserving of the highest recognition for their achievements.
2020 - Parker Allan Hollers
2021 - David Luis Guerrero
2022 - Emily Rose Antoninette Mathé
2021 - David Luis Guerrero
2022 - Emily Rose Antoninette Mathé
Semper Fidelis Award
The "Semper Fidelis" Award for Musical Excellence is presented to a student who displays traits that the Marine Corps considers essential to being a good leader: endurance, knowledge, unselfishness, dependability, enthusiasm and loyalty. Award recipients are not necessarily the most outstanding musicians, but rather a student whose leadership qualities have contributed to the success of the band program and is presented by the United States Marines Youth Foundation, Inc. and the Marine Corps League in recognition of diligence, dedication and musical excellence as a performing high school bandsman and soloist.
2020 - Benjamin Walker Caron
2021 - David Luis Guerrero
2022 - Cale Brown, Jackson Odegard, and Anan Rahman
2021 - David Luis Guerrero
2022 - Cale Brown, Jackson Odegard, and Anan Rahman
The Directors Award
The Directors Award for Band is awarded to a student who displays high qualities of dedication and conduct and is presented in recognition of the student's outstanding contribution to the music ensemble. This award is the highest award given to underclassmen who display leadership, pursuit of musical excellence, and a desire to better our band program. In short, this is a true musician in every sense, a worker, a studier, and a helper to themselves, their teachers and their fellow bandmates while representing the highest qualities of our program. The recipient of the Directors Award is selected by the band director(s).
2020 - Emilie Rose Antoinette Mathé
2021 - Taylor N. Click
2022 - Elizabeth Grace Tingley
2021 - Taylor N. Click
2022 - Elizabeth Grace Tingley
National School Color Guard Award
This award is to honor the outstanding contributions of a member of the Color Guard. It honors the musical contributions and dedication of a student leader whose example inspires others. The recipient of the National School Color Guard Award is selected by the Marching Bears administration and staff.
2020 - Katelyn Gomez
2021 - Jessica Morell
2022 - Addison ("Addie") Riley Loverde
2021 - Jessica Morell
2022 - Addison ("Addie") Riley Loverde
National School Marching Band Award
This award is to honor the outstanding contributions on the field as a member of the Winds or Percussion section. It honors the musical contributions and dedication of a student leader who example inspires others. The recipient of the National School Marching Band Award is selected by the Marching Bears administration and staff.
2020 - Anan Muhammad Rahman
2021 - Cale Preston Brown
2022 - Viridiana Guerrero
2021 - Cale Preston Brown
2022 - Viridiana Guerrero
Senior "Eight Semester" Award
Seniors that have participated in the band program for all four years will be awarded an Eight Semester Award.
Varsity Letters / Bars
The Varsity Letter is an award presented to any band member who goes above and beyond to meet the lettering requirements each year. For every additional year a student earns a letter, they will receive a bar which can be placed on the letter jacket.
Band Merit Awards
These awards will be presented by the director(s) for outstanding service to the band program.