2020-2021 (Virtual) Band Banquet
On Saturday May 22, 2021, Leonardtown Band held its annual Band Banquet. Although we could not gather together to celebrate the year, Mr. Martin notified the awards via video.
The students who were recognized are but a small fraction of the entire LHS Band Program who have gone above and beyond to help themselves and their peers attain their maximum potential. Below is the list of award recipients.
The Most Improved Marching Award is presented to one wind or percussion student and one color guard student who have demonstrated significant growth since the start of the 2020 Marching Band season; recipients include:
Bella Heckathorn & Gracelyn Moore
The Most Outstanding Marching Award is presented to one wind or percussion student and one color guard student who have met and exceeded expectations as members of the 2020 Leonardtown High School Marching Band; recipients include:
Mikaela Moore & Brandon Little
The Most Improved Band Award is presented to one female student and one male student in grades 9-11 who have demonstrated significant growth since the start of the 2020-2021 school year; recipients include:
Freshmen Aleea Best & Ethan DePaola
Sophomores Kaylee Allen & Benjamin Hertzbach
Juniors Carli Pipkin & Dominick Haskett
The Most Outstanding Band Award is presented to one female student and one male student in grades 9-11 who have met and exceeded expectations as members of the 2020-2021 Leonardtown High School Band Program; recipients include:
Freshmen Avery Thompson & Alan Hegedus
Sophomores Nerissa Zobell & Cameron Nix
Juniors Jane McKay & Benjamin Alvey
The Most Improved Senior Band Award is presented to a student who has demonstrated significant growth since the start of the 2020-2021 school year. This year, the Most Improved Senior Band Award goes to a student who, as a first-year band member, played an integral role in demonstrating how important hard work and determination truly are to the performing arts. Congratulations to Mr. Pierre Petitjean.
The Most Outstanding Senior Band Award is presented to a student who has met and exceeded expectations as a member of the 2020-2021 Leonardtown High School Band Program. This year, the Most Outstanding Senior Band Award goes to a student whose positive attitude is extremely admirable so much so that she has set and continues to set an example for her peers especially those who will follow in her footsteps. Congratulations to Ms. Jessica Flores.
The Outstanding Musicianship Award is presented to a student who day-in and day-out is committed to bettering him/herself as an artist, often going above and beyond to ensure that his/her music is exactly as we’ve rehearsed it. This year the award goes to a student who after leaving school one day would show up to the rehearsal sounding like a completely different person which ultimately enabled the confidence in herself and her play to grow exponentially. Congratulations to Ms. Kamea Somerville.
The Most Outstanding Instrumentalist Award is presented to a student who excels on his/her primary instrument. In some cases, this student may opt to learn a new instrument so as to become the epitome of a well-rounded musician. This year, the Outstanding Instrumentalist Award goes to a student whose commitment to her own education especially her growth as a musician as well as an overall genuine human being consistently afforded her the opportunity to demonstrate her talents. Congratulations to Ms. Casey Taff.
The Director’s Award for Band is presented to up to two students for their outstanding service to the Leonardtown High School Band Program. These individuals go above and beyond their responsibilities as students in the ensemble classroom, even going so far as to volunteer their time and extend a helping hand both before and after the day is done. This year, the Director’s Award for Band goes to two students whose goofiness is nothing short of contagious making them some of the friendliness individuals to ever step foot inside the band room. Congratulations to Ms. Fiona Tuemler and Mr. Dalton Curtis.
The Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award is presented to up to two students whose achievements and commitment to the Leonardtown High School Band Program are to be commended. These students are involved, sometimes participating in up to three or four ensembles, and set high expectations for themselves and their peers. This year, the Patrick S. Gilmore Band Awards go to two students whose devotion to their instruments and music as a whole make them forces to be reckoned with. Congratulations to Ms. Alani Pranzo and Mr. Rowan McConvey.
The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award is presented to a student for their achievements in the Jazz Ensemble. Individuals receiving this award are versatile in the way they play various styles of music and demonstrate a genuine interest in the genre as a whole. This year, the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award goes to a student whose passion for music extends beyond the classroom and on into what I know must be some pretty awesome jam sessions. Congratulations to Mr. Alejandro Adams.
Each year, the Semper Fidelis Award 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 do not have to be the most outstanding musicians, but rather a student whose leadership qualities have contributed to the success of the band program. The Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence 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. It gives me great pleasure to award this year’s Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence to Mr. Ayden Magda.
The John Philip Sousa Band Award is presented to a student who possesses superior musicianship and outstanding dedication. Candidates continually hold themselves accountable for the work they accomplish, involve themselves in several ensembles that comprise an entire program, and assume the role of a leader, often times setting the example for their peers in each aspect of the music-making experience. This year, the John Philip Sousa Band Award goes to a student who has not only eager to play any one of the five instruments that I presume are her favorites but also is so caring that she can’t help find the good in just about everything. Congratulations to Ms. Alexandra Kelly.
2021-2022 Marching Band Leadership Announcements
This year, a whopping 16 candidates auditioned to become a leader of the Leonardtown High School Marching Raiders, and to say that these students made the decision difficult is simply an understatement, especially since they all are equally qualified and exhibit significant potential as prospective leaders. So, without further ado, here are the results of this year’s leadership auditions.
Our Color Guard Captains for the 2021 competitive Marching Band season are/For the position of Color Guard Captain, we have Jane McKay and Mikaela Moore.
The Front Ensemble Section Leader for the 2021 competitive Marching Band season is/For the position of Front Ensemble Section Leader, we have Kaylee Allen.
The Drum Captain for the 2021 competitive Marching Band season is/For the position of Drum Captain, we have Ben Hertzbach.
Our Brass Section Leaders for the 2021 competitive Marching Band season are/For the position of Brass Section Leader, we have Bobby Coleman and Mac Bailey.
Our Woodwind Section Leaders for the 2021 competitive Marching Band season are/For the position of Woodwind Section Leader, we have Gracelyn Moore and Addie McKay.
The Drum Major for the 2021 competitive Marching Band season is/For the position of Drum Major, we have Ben Alvey.
Congratulations to all.
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