2018 West Rowan Student Leadership Staff Retreat
For several days prior to band camp, the student leadership team for the "Marching Falcons" participated in their annual "staff retreat" focusing on team-building, problem-solving, character-development, conflict-resolution, planning for the upcoming season and more!  There were a lot of difficult tasks and conversations, but the group did a great job and enjoyed a healthy dose of fun and bonding.  We're already excited for the 2018 season!  :-D

Graduation Ceremony: Congratulations, Class of 2018!
Congratulations to our 2018 seniors as they walked the stage to receive their diplomas!  We are very proud of each and every one of you and know that you will all go on using your talents to make the world a better place.  Special thanks to the graduation band for showing up VERY early and providing music for the ceremony.  Congratulations once again to our seniors!  Now, everyone can enjoy some time off... Summer is officially here!  Have fun and be safe!

WRHS Brass Quintet Plays at the Patriot's Flag Concourse
The third Saturday in May is also known as Armed Services Day and, at the Patriots Flag Concourse and Memorial located in Hurley Park, that means a flag changing ceremony.  The WRHS Brass Quintet (Abe, Dylan, JJ, Jaden and Mr. T.) performed the services songs for each branch of the military during the changing of their respective colors.  It was a great ceremony!  Thanks to these students for volunteering their time, and to all our military for your service!

East & West Rowan Drums Lead Relay for Life Survivor Lap
On Friday, April 27th, volunteers from across the area met at the Rowan County Fairgrounds for the county's annual "Relay for Life" to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  After the Opening Ceremony, National Anthem and "roll call," the "Survivor Lap" began place with great ceremony - led by a cadence played by 8 volunteers from the East and West Rowan High School Drum Lines.   We were honored to be part of the festivities!

WRHS Percussionists Accompany Rowan Youth Orchestra
On Wednesday, April 25, The Salisbury Symphony Youth Orchestra (under the direction of SSO Violinist Marguerite Keller, performed for the residents at Oak Park Retirement Community.  After a dress rehearsal the previous week, Sean and Ashton were guest performers on timpani and drumset for a movement from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and Cold Play's "Viva la Vida."   The concert was excellent - great job guys!

WRHS Bands Perform for Oak Park Retirement Community
On Monday, March 26th, the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble from West Rowan High School gave a short concert after dinner to the residents of Oak Park Retirement Community.  Part of the band's annual spring concert series, the performance always brings a smile to the residents and is a great opportunity to give back to our community!  The groups performed high-energy pieces as well as lyrical works.  It was a great night of music and friends!

WRHS Band Members Help to Host EdCamp Rowan
On Saturday, March 24th, the Rowan Salisbury Student Leadership Team (including WRHS Band members Jenny and Robet) hosted EdCamp Rowan - a professional development day for teachers in the Rowan-Salisbury Schools and in other districts across the state.  The day included engaging sessions, t-shirts, door-prizes, and more.  The day ended with an "App Smackdown" for both teachers and students.  Students are pictured here with Dr. Moody.  Great job guys!

WRHS Wind Ensemble Receives "Superior" Rating at MPA!
On March 22, the West Rowan Wind Ensemble traveled to perform at the SCDBA Music Performance Assessment with a fun (but demanding!) Grade V program: Grays Harbor March (Steve Hodges), Sleep (Eric Whitacre), and Undertow (John Mackey).  After a great stage performance, the wind ensemble went on to sightreading where they also received high marks for an overall rating of "Superior."  Congratulations again on a fantastic performance!

WRHS Student Performs with Fusion Indoor Percussion
West Rowan percussionist, Mason, can be seen here performing with Fusion Percussion in their 2017-2018 Program, "The Wrath of the Norsemen."  Their program revolves around the Vikings expanding their influence across Europe in the early 8th - 11th Centuries.  From organizing raiding parties to demonstrating personal aspects of their lives, Fusion is delving into both the light and dark aspects of Viking life.  Mason has traveled to several competitions this spring and will compete with Fusion in the WGI Championships in Dayton, OH this April.  We're proud of you - good luck!

East and West Rowan Combine for Early Spring Concert
On Tuesday, March 6th, the band programs of East and West Rowan High Schools combined for a joint concert featuring the combined Concert Bands from both schools as well as the East Rowan and West Rowan Wind Ensembles in a "Pre-MPA" performances.  It was a great night of collaboration and learning as the combined group played a selection with each director, while both wind ensembles received feedback from both directors.  Great job by everyone!

12 West Students Perform with 2018 All-County Honor Band
On February 23-24, West Rowan HS had 12 students perform in the All-County Honor Band: Jenny (flute), Jessica (flute), Robert (alto sax), Abe (trumpet), Sammy (horn), JJ (trombone), Daria (trombone), Samantha (trombone), Dylan (baritone), Rayne (mallets), Sean (mallets) and Samiyah (percussion).  Students got the opportunity to work with Patricia Hughes Ball, Director of Bands at West Forsyth HS and a member of the UNCG Summer Music Camp conducting staff.  With only a day and a half of rehearsal, students performed a concert on Saturday afternoon in conjunction with the Middle School Honor Band.  Congratulations to all our All-County participants - great job!

6 WRHS Students Perform at UNCG Carolina Band Festival
On February 15-17, 2018 UNC-Greensboro hosted their 29th Annual Carolina Band Festival and Conductors Conference.  One of the premier honor bands in the area, students are selected by audition from across the southeastern US.  West Rowan was fortunate to have 6 students attend this year: Abe (trumpet), JJ (trombone), Brandon (trombone), Dylan (baritone), Alex (percussion) and Harmony (percussion).  Students rehearsed with Dr. Elizabeth Peterson (9-10 Honor Band) and Dr. Stephen Peterson (11-12 Honor Band) from the University of Illinois.  Great job guys, we're proud of you!

WRHS Students Perform in 2nd Annual WCU Honor Band
On January 25-27, Western Carolina University hosted their 2nd annual Catamount High School Honor Band.  West Rowan students Payton (trombone), J.J. (trombone), Eric (euphonium) and Alex (percussion) traveled to Cullowhee and performed under the direction of Dr. Paula Holcomb (State University of New York at Fredonia) and Dr. Margaret Underwood (Western Carolina University).  Great job, guys - we're proud of you!   "Go Cats!" ;-)

WRHS Students Perform in 2nd Annual UNCC Honor Band
On December 8-9, UNCC hosted their 2nd annual Honor Band.  West Rowan was fortunate to have 7 students selected: Jenny (Flute), Evan (Bari Sax), Abe (Trumpet), Payton (Trombone), JJ (Trombone), Eric (Baritone), and Alex (Percussion).  Students performed under the direction of Dr. Shawn Smith and Dr. Jeffrey Miller, UNCC's Director and Associate Director of Bands.  In addition to a great concert, students received scholarship offers from UNCC as well!

WRHS Students Selected for 8th Annual UNCW Honor Band
The first weekend in December always plays host to the UNCW Honor Band Clinic.  This year, RSS had 21 students selected from 4 different schools, including 5 from West Rowan:  Jenny (flute), Nick (bass clarinet), Robert (saxophone), Abe (trumpet), and Alex (percussion).  Students first auditioned for chair placements, and rehearsed under the direction of UNCW director Dr. Talanca or grammy-winning band director Phillip Riggs, Director at the NC School of Science & Math.  Students had only 8 hours of rehearsal to prepare a huge program and were treated to concerts by all the UNCW Jazz Band, the UNCW Symphonic Band, campus tours and master classes with the award-winning UNCW music faculty.  Congratulations to these students on a job well done!

"Marching Falcons" in 2017 Mooresville Christmas Parade
On Tuesday, November 21st, the "Marching Falcons" participated in the 73rd annual Mooresville Christmas Parade.  The band joined thousands of other participants for one of the largest Mooresville Christmas Parades ever!  West Rowan hasn't visited the Mooresville Parade in recent years and 2017 shows that the "Marching Falcons" continue to support ALL areas of our community, from Mooresville to Salisbury and everywhere in between!

Veterans Day Parades Visit Trinity Oaks, VA and Salisbury
Each Veterans Day in Salisbury sees the arrival of a 3-fold parade:  A mini-parade around the Trinity Oaks Campus for the residents at the Lutheran Home and Retirement Buildings, a loop around the VA Hospital, and a parade down Main Street in Salisbury.  All six high school bands in Rowan County, including the "Marching Falcons," geared up early in the morning of November 11th to honor our veterans all over town.  Thank you to ALL of our veterans!

WRHS Students Attend 3rd Annual GWU Trumpet Summit
On October 30th, while most were enjoying a day out of school, two WRHS students (Abe and Johne) were getting up-close, 1-on-1 instruction from top professionals at Gardner-Webb University.  Students worked with Tim Hudson (Carolina Brass, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass), James Ackley (concert artist, chamber soloist and clinician) and are pictured to the right with Charles Schleuter (retired principal trumpet, Boston Symphony Orchestra). Wow!

"Marching Falcons" Place 1st at ERHS "Mustang Classic!"
On Saturday, October 21st, the WRHS "Marching Falcons" traveled to the East Rowan "Mustang Classic."  After a GREAT performance, the "Marching Falcons" earned 2nd place awards for Marching and Drum Major, as well as 1st place honors for Music, General Effect, Percussion, Guard and were awarded 1st place overall in Class 2A.  Great job, guys!

WRHS "Marching Falcons" on Homecoming Court!
The 2017 WRHS Homecoming was held on Friday, October 13th.  But, thankfully, aside from some mild drizzle during the game, Friday the 13th didn't live up to its bad reputation and homecoming festivities went on as planned!  Congratulations to Trey Germano (Colorguard), Camryn Nooner (Drum Major) and Jude Smeltzer (Saxophone) who were all selected to be a part of the 2017 WRHS Homecoming Court.  Jude was a freshman representative while Trey and Camryn were members of the senior court.  Special congratulations to Camryn who was elected as the 2017 WRHS Homecoming Queen!

And the Winner of the John Deere Mower Raffle Is....
...Mr. Jason Chester!  After 2 months of ticket sales, the drawing for the winner of our John Deere D110 lawn mower was held during halftime at the WRHS vs. South Rowan football game on September 29th.  Principal, Dr. Jamie Durant, did the honors of pulling the winning ticket from the raffle drum after a brief halftime show.  Congratulations, Mr. Chester!  It's just in time to get that last cutting or two in for the season!  Thanks to everyone for their support!

West Rowan Hosts Rowan Marching Band Preview Show!
On Saturday, September 23rd, West Rowan HS hosted the 2017 Rowan County Marching Band Preview Show.  The afternoon began with masterclasses from top music educators (including professional players collegiate faculty) and then moved into the evening performances where each band performed their halftime show before combining all 6 schools for a mass performance of America, the Beautiful.  It was a great evening of fellowship and music for all!

County Bands Record Soundtrack for Literacy Video
In the evening of September 18th, students from the South, East, West and Carson High School band programs came together to record a soundtrack behind a literacy video being put together by Rowan-Salisbury Schools.  Special thanks to WRHS Band members Payton, Dylan, J.J. and Harmony for playing in our combined group for this project!

WRHS Performs Anthem for the Woodleaf Tomato Festival
On Saturday, August 19th, Abe Long, Robert Yount, Payton Robertson and Tinsleigh Myers provided the national anthem for the annual Woodleaf Tomato Festival held at Unity Presbyterian Church.  The festival features local music groups, dancers, arts, crafts, vendors, food and all manner of tomatoes, tomato recipes, tomato queens, tomato eating contests and much more!  If you missed it, be sure to come out next year!

2017 Band Camp Ends with Successful Preview Show!
Band camp... it's not something you can truly appreciates until you've been there!  The 2017 season began in early July with Drum Majors at WCU for Symposium, then Leadership Staff retreat, a week of sectionals and then a week of full band rehearsal.  This year's camp wrapped up with our annual Band Camp Preview where the students showcased some marching drills, technique exercises, pre-game for Friday night and about 3 minutes of their 2017 production entitled, Rise.  These kids are going to have a great season!  Be sure to come check them out in person!

West Rowan Alum Performs with Phantom Regiment
On July 30th, the Marching Falcons traveled to Wake Forest's BB&T Field to watch the 30th anniversary of NightBeat, a Drum & Bugle Corps competition.  This year, we had the privilege of  watching WRHS Alum, Matthew Langford (Class of 2015), perform with Phantom Regiment in their production, "Phantasm." Matthew is among the growing number of West Rowan graduates to join the ranks of Drum Corps International, "Marching Music's Major League."  We're proud of all our students, both current and former, and wish the best of luck to those auditioning for the 2018 season!

6th Annual WRHS Mattress Sale Fundraiser
On Saturday, July 29th, the West Rowan Band held it's 6th annual Mattress Sale.  With great products sold below retail - the money CFS (Custom Fundraising Solutions) saves on retail space and advertising goes to the band as profit, raising over $2,000 to the band program in just one day!  Mark and his team at CFS run a great event - and what a fun way to kick off the 2017 season!             Missed the sale, but still interested in looking at a mattress?  Just contact Mr. Trivette!

See more history of the West Rowan High School Band HERE!