The John Philip Sousa Band Award
The Sousa Award is the pinnacle of achievement in a high school band. Introduced by the Sousa family in 1955 to honor the top student in the high school band, the John Philip Sousa Band Award recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication. This national award is presented to the graduating senior who is deemed to represent the best in musicianship, leadership, and dedication to the band program. The John Philip Sousa Award is the highest single honor to be given to a member of the band.
Kelbee Russell
2025 – 2026
Jonah Gregory
2024 – 2025
Aria Shepherd
2023 – 2024
Dillon Hawkins
2022 – 2023
Micaiah Pearson
2021 – 2022
Anna Olson
2020 – 2021
Samuel White
2019 – 2020
Anna Boyd
2018 – 2019
The Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award
The Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award was introduced in 1994 in honor of the legendary bandmaster and impresario. Patrick Gilmore (1829-1892) and his band joined General Burnside’s expedition to North Carolina in the Civil War. Gilmore also played for every president of his day, including Abraham Lincoln. This award honors additional students in the high school band. Because only one student per year can receive the Sousa Award, and more students may deserve special recognition, the Gilmore award allows directors to honor the same qualities of musicianship and dedication in other deserving students.
Sam Underwood
2025 – 2026
Anthony Anglemyer-Aguilar
2024 – 2025
Dominic Davis
2023 – 2024
Kenzie Longshore
2022 – 2023
Caroline Houseman
2021 – 2022
Andrew Rader
2020 – 2021
Logan Henson
2019 – 2020
Dawson Mullis
2018 – 2019
The Leonard Bernstein Musicianship Award
In his long career, Leonard Bernstein made an indelible mark on the musical world as a conductor, composer, and teacher. This award will honor students whose musical contributions, dedication, and creativity set them apart as deserving of the highest recognition for their achievements.
Angel Vazquez
2025 – 2026
Marissa Olley
2024 – 2025
R. Alvayero
2023 – 2024
Bella Totten
2022 – 2023
Isaac Mitchell
2021 – 2022
Allison McGlohon
2020 – 2021
Bryce Neely
2019 – 2020
The Director’s Award for Band
The recipient of the Director’s Award is hand-selected each year by the band director. This award honors an outstanding Junior or Senior member who is very active in the band and puts the band and the success of their bandmates above themselves.
Brithany Amaro Collazo
2025 – 2026
Warren Houseman
2024 – 2025
Jace Smith
2023 – 2024
R. Alvayero
2022 – 2023
Cai Walker
2021 – 2022
Ethan Seymore
2020 – 2021
Holly Johnson
2019 – 2020
Andrew Litz
2018 – 2019
The National School Color Guard Award
This award is bestowed each year to honor the Color Guard member who made outstanding contributions on the field and who embodies the artistry and pageantry of Color Guard, leadership, and service.
Briley Wear
2025 – 2026
Saturn Dreggors
2024 – 2025
Breanna Hawkins
2023 – 2024
Elora Albright
2022 – 2023
Reagan Schultz
2021 – 2022
Makayla Hicks
2020 – 2021
Savannah Beazer
2019 – 2020
Jewel Basden
2018 – 2019
The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Louis Armstrong’s influence extends well beyond jazz music, and by the end of his career in the 1960s, he was widely regarded as a profound influence on popular music in general. Lucille Armstrong, his wife in later years, described his love for people. “Louis’s greatest personality traits were humility and generosity. He just loved people and he always tried to understand them, too. He was compassionate, generous, and understanding with everyone. He was loved not only for his style, but as a person as well.”
The Louis Armstrong award, inaugurated with the consent of Armstrong’s widow shortly after his death in 1971, is the “top senior jazz award” or highest level interscholastic award given to students at high schools in the United States. It is given in recognition of “outstanding musical achievement and an incredible dedication to the program”.
Chandler McClure
2025 – 2026
The Rookie of the Year Award
Established in 2022, this award recognizes a freshman who maintains the highest musical and academic standards, shows leadership within their class, and continually strives to achieve the highest ideals and standards of the Ooltewah Band while maintaining a positive attitude and work ethic.
Roy Maina
2025 – 2026
Ethan Maina
2024 – 2025
Olivia Martin
2023 – 2024
Kelbee Russell
2022 – 2023