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West Johnston students prepare for Macy's with their recipe for success!

How does a high school Band Program become 15th in the nation and one of five high school bands selected to perform in the 2008 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 6 short years?

The recipe for success is quite simple: First have a group of students, directors, parents and administrators who believe that with "Hard Work and Dedication Anything is Possible." Next, continue to raise expectations. Then have directors that will offer students the high quality instruction, performance and competition opportunities they need to meet the high expectations throughout the year.  Finally have the parents who will provide the financial and organizational support required to meet the needs of their students and the West Band Program.

{mosimage}Opportunities and expectations do not end for the West Band Students, Directors or Parents with the completion of the marching band season; as the West Johnston Band Program continues with 3 concert bands, 2 competitive winterguards and a competitive indoor drumline rehearsing, performing, competing and continuing West's tradition of excellence and success during the second semester.

The West Musicians are now performing at the highest level ever experienced in the program's 6 years of existence and have found success during several individual auditions. The West Band Program placed 44 students in Johnston County's All County Band (the most from any one school in our county Twenty eight students were named to the Southeastern Regional All District Band; again West Johnston placed the most from any school. Eleven students earned the opportunity to audition for the NC All State Band and four of those students, Andy Stanfill, Phillip Franklin, Jeremy Rodgers and Christian Hoskins, have been selected for the NC All State Band!

The West Winds Ensemble, West Symphonic Band and West Concert Band recently participated in the State Concert Band Festival hosted at West Johnston and earned ratings of Superior and Excellent! During the State Concert Band Festival one judge commented to the West parents that no one should take a program like this for granted as only one tenth of one percent of high school students have the opportunities to participate in a band program equivalent to what is offered at West Johnston High School.

{mosimage}The West Percussionists are making history of their own as the West Indoor Drumline was recently named the WGI Spartanburg Regional Champions for Marching Class A Spartanburg, South Carolina. They are currently ranked 1st in the nation and will be competing in World Championships in Dayton, Ohio in April.

Success continues for the West Winterguards at the WGI South Brunswick, New Jersey Regional Championships! The West Junior Varsity Winterguard placed 15th out of 28 units in Scholastic A Class which is quite an accomplishment considering that the West freshman and sophomores are competing against most school's junior and senior winterguards.

West's Varsity Winterguard placed 3rd at the WGI South Brunswick Regional Championship for Open Class. They are currently ranked 7th in the nation and will be competing in World Championships in Dayton, Ohio in April.

{mosimage}Mr. M. Lance Britt, Director of Bands at West Johnston, explains, "These smaller ensembles are crucial to our continued success as a marching band. They allow our students to receive more specialized and individualized instruction and experience through rehearsals, performance and competition which strengthens their skills. When the students come back together in the fall they are able to use these skills to become an even stronger marching band which represents our school, community and state with pride. The skills and talents these students are learning and perfecting this semester will be seen all over the world on November 27 during the 2008 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."

Members of our community will have several opportunities in April and May to enjoy the performances of West's talented students.

Saturday, April 26 at 9:00 a.m. at the Strawberry Festival; the West Johnston Concert Bands will be performing a free pops concert after opening the Strawberry Festival with the National Anthem. Members of the Indoor Drumline and Winterguards will also be giving demonstrations.

Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 p.m. in the auditorium at West Johnston High School; the West Johnston Winds Ensemble, West Johnston Symphonic Band and West Johnston Concert Band will be performing a free spring concert for the community.

All of these events are open to the public at no cost for admissions.

{mosimage}Supporting a band program of this caliber and sending 210 students to the 2008 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is no small undertaking. The West Johnston Band Parents Association is currently sponsoring five major fundraisers and is asking for your support.

The 6th Annual West Band Golf Tournament on April 25th at Reedy Creek Golf Course. Shot gun start at 1:00 pm. The band parents are currently requesting hole sponsorships and teams.

Yard Sale on May 3rd at the Cleveland Storage on Cleveland School Road. All proceeds to benefit West's March to Macy's. The band parents are currently requesting donations of items to sell.

Auction and Dinner on May 3rd at 5:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria at West Johnston. All proceeds to benefit West's March to Macy's. The band parents are currently requesting donations of items to be auctioned and tickets are now on sale to attend the dinner and auction.

Mile Marker's to Macy's. The band parents are currently accepting contributions to benefit West's March to Macy's

The first West Johnston Cookbook will debut at the Strawberry Festival.

For more information on the West Johnston High School Band Program and how you can support these students please visit us on the web at www.wjhsbands.org.

For more information please contact:

Mr. M Lance Britt, Director of Bands
West Johnston High School
919-934-2328

Or

Cindy Nyberg, Macy's Chairperson
West Johnston Band Parents Association
919-795-9170