Pizitz Middle School's band program, under the direction of Kim Bain and Leah Seng, has been awarded the prestigious Sudler Cup, considered by many to be the highest honor in the nation available to middle school and high school bands.
"It was wonderful," said Bain, about hearing news of the honor while attending the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. "It was very exciting."
"The students were thrilled," she said, especially after she explained the magnitude of their accomplishment. Then, they had a big party.
According to the John Philip Sousa Foundation website, the award's administrator, the purpose of the Sudler Cup is to "identify, recognize and honor junior high school and middle school concert band programs that have demonstrated particularly significant high standards of excellence in concert activities over a period of several years." According to the award's listed criteria, nominations are accepted from any source year-round before being handed over to the selection committee established by the Sousa
Pizitz Middle School Band Program Awarded Sudler Cup •
Foundation. The committee, composed of public school and college-level band directors evaluates the nominations to ensure the programs meet at the very least the following requirements:
• The band must have achieved and maintained a high standard of literature in the concert area over a period of several years. • The concert band will have placed itself in situations where there has been opportunity for evaluation by qualified persons or has been rated "superior" at state, regional, or national levels in concert activities. • The band should have performed at regional, state, national, and professional meetings of significance. These can include but are not limited to state music conventions, regional or national MENC meetings, and state or national band association conventions. • The director must have been incumbent in his/her position for at least seven years, including the current year. • A number of the students in the band should have participated in district and all- state honor bands or similar all-area groups.
The total program of music should exemplify what is considered a sound viable, music education program for this level of endeavor.
Nominated bands are asked to submit an assortment of materials, including, but not limited to:
• Concert programs covering the previous three or more years. • A recording from the previous year which should include a quickstep type march and at least two other works for band in contrasting styles.
• Press clippings or copies of press clippings. • Written recommendations from three or more band conductors of recognized national reputation who have heard the band perform recently.
As explained on the school's website, historically, the Sousa Foundation has awarded the cup to no more than three schools in any given year since 1986. One year, in 1996, the committee was unable to deem any school worthy of the cup.
Pizitz Middle School Band ala breve 27
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