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Beechwood High School Marching Band Selected as 2022 Sudler Shield Award Winner

Sudler Shield awarded by John Philip Sousa Foundation recognizes top marching programs internationally

FORT MITCHELL, KY / DECEMBER 22, 2022 - The Beechwood High School Marching Tigers, led by Director of Bands Austin Bralley and Associate Director of Bands Savannah Starks, were selected as 2022 Sudler Shield winners in the “USA Small School Division” by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. The Sudler Shield is awarded to premier high school marching bands internationally by the Sousa Foundation to establish and support international standards of excellence in musical performance, marching execution, choreography, and show design for high school, youth, or international marching bands and to identify, recognize, and honor outstanding high school, youth, and international marching bands who are at a world class level of excellence.

 

Director of Bands Austin Bralley said, “We’re honored to be recognized by the Sousa Foundation and proud of the extraordinary student musicians 
at Beechwood.” This is the first time in program history that the Beechwood Marching Tigers have won the Sudler Shield. “In addition to our talented students, we are fortunate to have dedicated staff members and the full support of the Beechwood and Fort Mitchell communities to be able to perform at the highest levels of high school marching band,” Bralley commented. Beechwood was awarded the Sudler Shield in its first year of eligibility under the direction of Director of Bands Austin Bralley. Beechwood’s selection as award winners was made by a panel of distinguished marching band and music educators based on videos of the 2022 Marching Tiger show titled “The Skydwellers” and review of the achievements of the Marching Band over the past 3 years.

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Additional details about the presentation of the Sudler Shield, expected to be made this spring, will be shared once they are confirmed. For information about the John Philip Sousa Foundation, please visit sousafoundation.net. To learn more about the Beechwood Bands, visit beechwoodbands.org.


About Beechwood Bands
The Beechwood Bands, under the direction of Austin Bralley, Director of Bands, Savannah Starks, Associate Director of Bands, and Anthony Gilleland, Director of Percussion, is a nationally-recognized instrumental music program for students in grades 6-12. Students perform in a wide variety of performing groups including marching band, concert band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, winter colorguard, and chamber ensembles. The Beechwood Bands have won numerous awards including 10 KMEA State Marching Band championships, two Bands of America Grand Nationals championships, and distinguished ratings in adjudicated performances. All students of the Beechwood Bands have the opportunity for private lessons with highly-accomplished musicians for half the cost through the support of the Beechwood Band Boosters. The Beechwood Bands work to develop students as musicians and leaders to serve their future careers and communities whether they choose to pursue music or another field.

 

About Beechwood Independent Schools
Beechwood Independent School District provides a co-educational public education for 1,200 students in grades K through 12.  Its elementary and high schools are integrated into a single campus in Ft. Mitchell, KY.  The School District is known for high academic achievement and excellence in extracurricular activities.  The high school is nationally ranked among America’s best public high schools by Newsweek and U.S. New and World Report.  Both the high school and elementary school are recognized as a National Blue-Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.  More information is available at www.beechwood.kyschools.us. 

 

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