Awards & Recognition

Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts (AWAPA)

The National Band Association was founded on September 11, 1960. This new organization was the dream and brain child of Traugott Rohner, the editor and founder of The Instrumentalist magazine. Rohner set up a meeting with two of the most capable leaders among America’s band directors, Al G. Wright, who was at that time Director of Bands at Purdue University, and John Paynter, Director of Bands at Northwestern University, and these two very able leaders established a new, inclusive band organization which grew into the largest band organization in the world.

Al Wright was the NBA’s first president, and he soon became aware of a need to establish a special, high level award program to recognize excellence and exceptional service to bands. The result of this was the establishment of the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts (AWAPA). This award was established for the purpose of recognizing those individuals who have made truly significant and outstanding contributions to furthering the excellence of bands and of band music, and it was not to be limited to band directors, but to anyone whose contributions were determined to be so outstanding that they deserved and warranted honor and recognition.

The nine inch silver “AWAPA” figure is designed to be the “Oscar” of the band world. Elections to the academy are made from time to time by the Board of Directors acting upon nominations from the AWAPA Commission. Presentations of AWAPA awards are made at band performances or meetings of national significance. The new recipients of the award are announced at the annual National Band Association Membership Meeting at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago each December, and the honorees from the previous year are invited to attend that meeting for a formal presentation of the award.

If the recipient is not able to be present at that meeting, the award is presented at another prestigious band event where the recipient is properly honored and recognized.

The award consists of a silver statuette, a silver medallion, and an engraved certificate. The Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts represents the highest honor which the National Band Association can confer on any individual.

The NBA represents the best that there is in a great, proud profession. When we honor our very best, we bring honor on our organization and on our profession. A list of the past recipients of the AWAPA Award is literally a “Who’s Who” list of some of the greatest leaders involved in the band movement during the past four decades. The list includes an international cross section of important individuals representing all aspects of the band world, who have rendered remarkable service to bands.

AWAPA Recipients by Presentation Date

Al and Gladys Wright Distinguished Legacy Award

The National Band Association Al and Gladys Wright Distinguished Legacy Award was established in 2020 and serves to recognize achievement in leadership, teaching, and/or other professional experience, mentorship, and service to the band profession.  No more than two awards may be presented in any given year with the recipient(s) being announced at the NBA General Membership Meeting at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.  The actual presentation(s) of the award will take place at an appropriate venue with the recipient(s) in attendance.

Nominations for the award are due to the selection committee by November 1st each year.

• Award Information and Nomination Materials (pdf)

Questions may be submitted to Randall Coleman.

Al & Gladys Wright Distinguished Legacy Award Recipients

Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award

Purpose Statement

As stated in our mission statement, the National Band Association is dedicated to the attainment of a high level of excellence for bands and band music. The NBA Programs of Excellence initiative recognizes quality programs at all levels. Those programs and educators which challenge students and promote standards of excellence will be honored nationally through this initiative.

Application Guidelines & Information for the 2024-2025 award.  Applications are due by July 15, 2024.

• Award & Application Information
• Submission Guidelines
• Application Form (pdf)
• Recording Information Form (pdf)
• Classroom Learning Situation Form (pdf)
• Missing Items Form (pdf)

**Payment of the application fee via credit card is available here.

All application materials must be submitted via Google Drive per the submission guidelines above.  Questions can be submitted to Bobby Lambert.

2023-2024

National Blue Ribbon Award Winners

Creek Valley Middle School – Kim Cooley and Joshua Lott, directors
Carrollton, Texas

Langley High School – Doug Martin, Kai Smith, Doug Wallace, directors
McLean, Virginia

Kennesaw Mountain High School – Michael Huebner and Corey Futrell, directors
Kennesaw, Georgia

Division Winners

NORTHWESTERN

Sherwood High School – Brant Stai, director 
Sherwood, Oregon

SOUTHERN

Freedom High School – Michael Antmann and Abigail Mistretta, directors
Orlando, Florida

H.B. Plant High School – Brian P. Dell, director
Tampa, Florida

NORTH CENTRAL

Valley High School – Josh Waymire, Jackson Churchill, and Samantha Beeman, directors
West Des Moines, Iowa

Yorkville High School – Victor Anderson and Bobby Vriezen, directors
Yorkville, Illinois

2022-2023

National Blue Ribbon Award Winners

Rancho High School – Clinton Williams and Andrew Smouse, directors
Las Vegas, Nevada

Artie Henry Middle School – Robert T. Herrings, Katherine Norris, Aaron Sanchez, directors
Cedar Park, Texas

Division Winners

SOUTHERN

Hagerty High School – Brad Kuperman and Brian Kuperman, directors
Oviedo, Florida

Leon High School – Lee Commander and Curtis Newson, directors
Tallahassee, Florida

Walton High School – John Palmer and Chris Johns, directors
Marietta, Georgia

2021 – 2022

No recipients named due to COVID-19

2020 – 2021

National Blue Ribbon Award Winners

LaVilla School of the Arts – Dr. Ann Adams-Valle, Thomas Flynn, Christopher Banks, directors
Jacksonville, Florida

West Salem High School – Todd Zimbelman, director
Salem, Oregon

Division Winners

EASTERN

North Hills High School – Len Lavelle and Lucas Beaver, directors
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

SOUTHERN

LaVilla School of the Arts – Dr. Ann Adams-Valle, Thomas Flynn, Christopher Banks, directors
Jacksonville, Florida

NORTHWESTERN

West Salem High School – Todd Zimbelman, director
Salem, Oregon

2019 – 2020

National Blue Ribbon Award Winners

Arbor Creek Middle School – Rylon Guidry, director
Carrollton, Texas

Crosby High School – Kevin Knight, director
Crosby, Texas

Midlothian High School – Larry Doran, Alex Badour, Daniel Hawkins, and Chris Kichline, directors
Midlothian, Texas

W.H. Oliver Middle School – Susan Waters, Katie Harrah, and Kevin Jankowski, directors
Nashville, Tennessee

Ronald Reagan High School – Dan Morrison, Greg White, and Mason Daffinee, directors
San Antonio, Texas

Richardson High School – Jesus Marquez, David Schmuck, Ryan Reyna, Mark McKinney, and Roland Muzquiz, directors
Richardson, Texas

Wando High School – Bobby Lambert, Lanie Radecke, and Jeff Handel, directors
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

The Woodlands High School – Joni Perez, director
The Woodlands, Texas

Division Winners

EASTERN

Spring-Ford High School – Seth Jones, director
Royersford, Pennsylvania

NORTH CENTRAL

Geneseo High School – Steve Scherer, director
Geneseo, Illinois

Glenn Westlake Middle School – Nicholas Martin, director
Lombard, Illinois

SOUTHERN

Cooper Middle School – Matthew Baker, Alexandra Singer, and Doug Wallace, directors
McLean, Virginia

H.B. Plant High School – Brian Dell, director
Tampa, Florida

Dr. Phillips High School –  Charles Watford, Nicole Nasrallah, and James Patrick, director
Orlando, Florida

W.H. Oliver Middle School – Susan Waters, Katie Harrah, and Kevin Jankowski, directors
Nashville, Tennessee

Wando High School – Bobby Lambert, Lanie Radecke, and Jeff Handel, directors
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

SOUTHWESTERN

Arbor Creek Middle School – Rylon Guidry, director
Carrollton, Texas

Crosby High School – Kevin Knight, director
Crosby, Texas

Midlothian High School – Larry Doran, Alex Badour, Daniel Hawkins, and Chris Kichline, directors
Midlothian, Texas

Ronald Reagan High School – Dan Morrison, Greg White, and Mason Daffinee, directors
San Antonio, Texas

Richardson High School – Jesus Marquez, David Schmuck, Ryan Reyna, Mark McKinney, and Roland Muzquiz, directors
Richardson, Texas

The Woodlands High School – Joni Perez, director
The Woodlands, Texas

 2018 – 2019

National Blue Ribbon Award Winners

Carmel High School – Michael Pote, Kyle Young, Christopher Kreke, and Andrew Cook, directors Carmel, Indiana

Las Vegas Academy of the Arts – Brian Downey and John Seaton, directors Las Vegas, Nevada

Libertyville High School – Adam Gohr, director Libertyville, Illinois

O’Fallon High School – Dr. Melissa Gustafson-Hinds, director O’Fallon, Illinois

Division Winners

NORTH CENTRAL

Carmel High School – Michael Pote, Kyle Young, Christopher Kreke, and Andrew Cook, directors Carmel, Illinois

Libertyville High School – Adam Gohr, director Libertyville, Illinois

O’Fallon High School – Dr. Melissa Gustafson-Hinds, director O’Fallon, Illinois

SOUTHERN

Oakton High School – Jamie VanValkenburg, director Vienna, Virginia

Green Hope High School – Brian Myers, director Cary, North Carolina

SOUTHWESTERN

Blue Spring High School – Tim Allshouse, Lisa Evans, and Nathan Bushey, directors
Blue Springs, Missouri

Poteet High School – Cody Newman, director
Mesquite, Texas

WESTERN

American Fork Junior High School – Lance Major, Dana Slabaugh, and Anne Boyer, directors
American Fork, Utah

Central Davis Junior High School – Christine Wolf, director
Layton, Utah

Las Vegas Academy of the Arts – Brian Downey and John Seaton, directors
Las Vegas, Nevada

 2017 – 2018

National Blue Ribbon Award Winners

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts – Ted Shistle and Don Zentz, directors
Jacksonville, Florida

James Madison High School – Michael S. Hackbarth, director
Vienna, Virginia

Broken Arrow High School – Darrin Davis, Kelli Pence, Adam Wiencken, and Kyle Smith, directors
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Mountain View High School – Sam Ormson and Robbie Rutherford, directors
Vancouver, Washington

Division Winners

SOUTHERN

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts – Ted Shistle and Don Zentz, directors
Jacksonville, Florida

James Madison High School – Michael S. Hackbarth, director
Vienna, Virginia

Vero Beach High School –  Colbert P. Howell, Jr. and Brandon Putzke, directors
Vero Beach, Florida

SOUTHWESTERN

Broken Arrow High School –  Darrin Davis, Kelli Pence, Adam Wiencken, and Kyle Smith, directors
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Paragould High School –  Richie Williams, Billy VanDelinder, and Aaron Stickley, directors
Paragould, Arkansas

WESTERN

Pearl City High School –  Chadwick Kamei, Christopher Otsuka, and Christopher Lopez, directors
Pearl City, Hawaii

Timpview High School – Jared Hearld, director
Provo, Utah

NORTHWESTERN

Mountain View High School – Sam Ormson and Robbie Rutherford, directors
Vancouver, Washington

 2016 – 2017

National Blue Ribbon Award Winners

Lake Braddock High School – Michael Luley & Patrick Smith, directors
Burke, Virginia

American Fork High School – John Miller, director
American Fork, Utah

West Orange High School – Kenneth Boyd, Robert Krahn & Jonathan Cooper, directors
Winter Garden, Florida

Riverwatch Middle School – Matt Koperniak & Dean Patterson, directors
Suwanee, Georgia

Farmington Junior High School – Heath Wolf, director
Farmington, Utah

Division Winners

SOUTHERN

Lake Braddock High School – Michael Luley & Patrick Smith, directors
Burke, Virginia

2015 – 2016

National Blue Ribbon Award Winners

Tarpon Springs High School – Kevin Ford and Christopher De Leon, directors
Tarpon Springs, Florida

Kilmer Middle School – Brett Dodson, director
Vienna, Virginia

McCracken Middle School – Chip De Stefano and David Morrison, directors
Skokie, Illinois

Division Winners

SOUTHERN

Cuthbertson High School – Todd Ebert and Katie Ebert, directors Waxhaw,
North Carolina

2013 – 2014

National Blue Ribbon Award Winners

Clovis High School – Bill Allred, director
Clovis, New Mexico

Greenwich High School – John Yoon, director
Greenwich, Connecticut

Lockport High School – Brian Covey, director
Lockport, Illinois

New Trier High School – Matt Temple, director
Wilmette, Illinois

Thompson High School – Jon Bubbett, director
Alabaster, Alabama

W.T. Woodson High School – Melinda McKenzie Hall, directors
Fairfax, Virginia

Division Winners

EASTERN

Greenwich High School – John Yoon, director Greenwich, Connecticut

NORTH CENTRAL

Lockport High School – Brian Covey, director
Lockport, Illinois

New Trier High School – Matt Temple, director
Wilmette, Illinois

SOUTHERN

Thompson High School – Jon Bubbett, director
Alabaster, Alabama

W.T. Woodson High School – Melinda McKenzie Hall, director
Fairfax, Virginia

Woodland High School – Eric Willoughby, director
Cartersville, Georgia

NORTHWESTERN

Flathead High School – Allen Slater, director
Kallispell, Montana

SOUTHWESTERN

Clovis High School – Bill Allred, director
Clovis, New Mexico

Dr. William P. Foster Project Award of Excellence

To nominate someone for the NBA Citation of Excellence, contact your state chair.

State Chairs

Citation of Excellence

The Citation of Excellence is awarded to outstanding concert band directors whose ensembles have a history of a distinguished level of accomplishment, or to those individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of bands and band music. (Request Form – to be used by State Chairs)

Outstanding Mentor Award

Honoring those in the profession who have touch countless lives through significant contributions to music and music education.  Click here for the Mentor Award Application.

Additional Free Awards

NBA Members only…to request any of the below citations, certificates and awards for your school program, complete the linked request forms.  For additional information, email Heath Nails, NBA Awards Chair.

Band Booster Award

Honoring outstanding service by members of band booster organizations. (Request Form)

Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence

The Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence is awarded to outstanding marching band directors whose ensembles have a history of a distinguished level of accomplishment, or to those individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of marching bands. (Request Form)

Outstanding Band Musician

Presented to band members who display outstanding musicianship, citizenship, and leadership. (Request Form)

Outstanding Jazz Educator Award

The Outstanding Jazz Educator Award is awarded to exceptional jazz band directors whose ensembles have a history of a distinguished level of accomplishment, or to those individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of jazz and jazz education. (Request Form)

Outstanding Jazz Student

Presented to outstanding jazz students. (Request Form)

Music Camper Citation

The Music Camper Citation provides recognition for outstanding performance and leadership among band students attending summer camps. This award may be presented only by those who are serving as camp directors or as staff members at a summer camp. The number of awards given at each camp is limited to not more than 3% of the total band enrollment of the camp. (Request Form)

For information on any of the above awards for your school program, email Heath Nails, NBA Awards Chair