HONORS & AWARDS
Throughout the year, band members have a variety of ways to earn individual recognition from within the school, the county and even the state. The following list focuses on awards that are given from within the Cherokee Bluff High School Band program.
Spring Band Banquet: The Cherokee Bluff Band will hold an annual awards banquet in the spring. The purpose of the banquet is to reflect upon the year’s accomplishments, to honor those who have realized special achievements and to recognize graduating seniors for their years of service to the band. Varsity letters and/or participation certificates are awarded at the banquet as well.
We strive to make the banquet a special evening for everyone and the format changes slightly from year to year. Students vote on some awards, while other awards are given based on set criteria.
As in any other activity, when a student drops out, they are no longer considered a “member in good standing” and are not eligible for awards and/or honors. Even though the student in question might have worked hard for the time that they were active, their decision to discontinue participation means that they no longer wish to be included in band activities. In every case, when a student has approached the director with a legitimate conflict, they have worked out a method of sustaining their participation on some level until the end of the school year. When the student or parent makes no such effort, we must assume that they no longer have interest in the program.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your student’s level of participation, please contact the director as soon as the situation arises. It is impossible to work out equitable solutions after the fact. We will make every effort to be fair and understanding if we are aware of the circumstances ahead of time.
The following awards are presented at the spring banquet:
Spring Band Banquet: The Cherokee Bluff Band will hold an annual awards banquet in the spring. The purpose of the banquet is to reflect upon the year’s accomplishments, to honor those who have realized special achievements and to recognize graduating seniors for their years of service to the band. Varsity letters and/or participation certificates are awarded at the banquet as well.
We strive to make the banquet a special evening for everyone and the format changes slightly from year to year. Students vote on some awards, while other awards are given based on set criteria.
As in any other activity, when a student drops out, they are no longer considered a “member in good standing” and are not eligible for awards and/or honors. Even though the student in question might have worked hard for the time that they were active, their decision to discontinue participation means that they no longer wish to be included in band activities. In every case, when a student has approached the director with a legitimate conflict, they have worked out a method of sustaining their participation on some level until the end of the school year. When the student or parent makes no such effort, we must assume that they no longer have interest in the program.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your student’s level of participation, please contact the director as soon as the situation arises. It is impossible to work out equitable solutions after the fact. We will make every effort to be fair and understanding if we are aware of the circumstances ahead of time.
The following awards are presented at the spring banquet:
- Band Merit Awards – These awards will be presented by the director for outstanding service to the band program.
- Varsity Letters – The varsity letter is an award presented to any band member who goes above and beyond to meet the lettering requirements (see policies in this handbook).
- Senior “Eight Semester” Award – Seniors that have participated in band for all four years will be awarded an Eight Semester Award.
- Leonard Bernstein Musicianship Award – A prestigious award presented to the band member who represents outstanding musicianship skills.
- John Philip Sousa Award – The most prestigious of all awards, the John Philip Sousa award is presented to the senior who represents the best in dedication and musicianship to the Cherokee Bluff Band program.