The Southwest High School Wind Ensemble has been selected by the National Wind Band Honors Project as a National Winner in Class AAAAA!  This is the third year in a row for the Southwest Wind Ensemble to be selected as a winner.  The group won the two previous years in the Class AAAA competition, but decided to accept a greater challenge by entering in the Class AAAAA competition.

 In addition to recognizing exceptional ensembles, outstanding instrumental soloists are also recognized with individual certificates. Eight members of the 55-piece ensemble were selected as 2009 Outstanding Soloist:

 Symphony in Bb by Hindemith:

Oboe-Marcia Willars

Bassoon-Joseph Bornholdt

Alto Saxophone-Matthew Stookey (All-State Member)

Tenor saxophone-Eric Horsley

Trumpets-Matthew Smith and Joey Vranas (Both are All-State Members, they alternate Solo's throughout the Hindemith)

Trombone-Michelle Nadel (All-State Member)

 Asphalt Cocktail by Mackey:

Clarinet-Kathryn Estes 

The Southwest Band Program continues to thrive under the leadership of Stacey Dunn, Director of Bands.  He is assisted by Gaspar Garcia, Jeff DeMaagd and Joshua Bowman.  Congratulations to each student and director on this outstanding achievement. 

TheNational Wind Band Honors Project seeks to recognize and award achievement in performance for middle and high school bands. Nationally recognized Adjudicators listen to each group's performance through an anonymous process. Some of the adjudicators choose to give very detailed written comments on each groups selections. The critiques and compilation recordings prove helpful in improving performance in high school and middle school bands. These outstanding ensembles are recognized in national publications and journals. The process and recognition validates the work in successful music programs along with recognizing the successes of students and their teachers.