~ Click HERE to Register for All-County Band Auditions ~

~ Click HERE to Register for All-County JAZZ Band Auditions ~

WRHS Students Selected for UNC-Charlotte Honor Band
The second weekend in December always plays host to the UNC-Charlotte Honor Band Clinic.  This year, West Rowan had 7 students accepted to perform:  Jude (saxophone), Abe (trumpet), JJ (trombone), Dylan (euphonium), Kurt (string bass), Rayne (percussion) and Sean (percussion).  Students rehearsed under UNCC directors Dr. Shawn Smith and Dr. Jennifer Whitaker.  Congratulations to these students on a job well done!

WRHS Students Selected for UNC-Wilmington 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 7 from West Rowan:  Jude (saxophone), Abe (trumpet), JJ (trombone), Eric (euphonium), Dylan (euphonium), Kurt (string bass) and Sean (percussion).  Students rehearsed under UNCW director Dr. Talanca and David Robinson, director at Panther Creek HS.  Congratulations to these students on a job well done!

"Marching Falcons" March in 2018 'Tis the Season Parade
On Wednesday, Nov. 21st - the day before Thanksgiving - the "Marching Falcons" are thankful for their surrounding communities and helped to ring in the holiday season with the 'Tis the Season Spectacular Parade through Spencer and Salisbury.  Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays to all of our West Rowan family and friends!

"Marching Falcons" Small Ensemble Honors Veterans!
On Monday, November 12th, all the Rowan County bands prepared to participate in our Veterans Day Ceremonies... but the weather had other plans, delivering a cold, rainy day.  However, that didn't stop the bands from honoring our veterans!  Each band put together a small ensemble and performed their parade music and then combined for a joint performance of "America" for residents at both the Lutheran Home and the Retirement Community at Trinity Oaks!

"Marching Falcons" at Porter Ridge Pirate Cove Classic!
On Saturday, October 27th, the "Marching Falcons" performed their last competitive show of the 2018 season at the Porter Ridge High School Pirate Cove Classic in Indian Trail, NC.  Against solid competition, the "Marching Falcons" ended the day with awards for 2nd Place Music, 3rd Place General Effect, 2nd Place Percussion and 2nd Place Colorguard.  It was a great performance (and a beautiful sunset!) to wrap up the 2018 competition season!

"Marching Falcons" Honor 13 Students at "Senior Night"
On Thursday (due to weather) October 25th, West Rowan hosted their annual "Senior Night" recognizing senior athletes before the football game and marching band seniors during halftime.  There are 13 wonderful students in 2018 "Marching Falcons" Senior Class and we hope your senior year is the best yet!  Best of luck in your future endeavors!

"Marching Falcons" Perform at North Lincoln "Roundtable"
On Saturday, October 6th, the "Marching Falcons" traveled to the North Lincoln High School "Roundtable Tournament of Bands" for their competitive season opener.  After a long (and hot!) day, the band played a great show earning 2nd Place Music Performance, 2nd Place General Effect, 2nd Place Percussion and 2nd Place Overall in Class 1A.  Great job!

2018 "8th Grade Invitational" Draws Largest Crowd Ever!
On Friday, October 5th, the "Marching Falcons" hosted their annual "8th Grade Invitational" drawing a record number of participants from West Rowan and Southeast Middle Schools!  The students rehearsed with student leaders after school, performed an opening fanfare, the national anthem and a tunnel for the team, as well as playing in the stands the first half of the game.  Students then got a front row seat to the halftime show!  Thanks to everyone for coming out!

"Marching Falcons" Wow the Crowd at 2018 Preview Show!
On Saturday, September 22nd, the "Marching Falcons" participated in the 2018 Rowan County Marching Band Preview.  The afternoon began with masterclasses from collegiate faculty and professional musicians working with students around campus.  The national anthem was performed by a mixed brass ensemble, each school performed their half-time show, and the evening concluded with a mass performance of "America."  Great job to ALL of our band students!

"Marching Falcons" Perform at Oak Park Tailgate Party
On Tuesday, September 18th, the WRHS Marching Band gave up their usual day of practice to visit our friends at Oak Park Retirement Community.  Activities director, Karen Leonard, was hosting a Carolina Panthers Tailgate Party and the band provided entertainment with all of their Friday night stands tunes and a standstill performance of the halftime show.  Thanks to all who were able to participate in bringing the band experience to Oak Park's Tailgate Party!

WRHS Performs Anthem for the Woodleaf Tomato Festival
On Saturday, August 18th, Abe, Johne, Sammy, JJ, Dylan and Jaden 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!

2018 Band Camp Ends with Successful Preview Show!
The 2018 season began in mid July with staff retreat, a week of sectionals and then a week of full band rehearsal.  This year, we battled rain off and on for weeks but still wrapped up with our annual Band Camp Preview where students showcased musical and visual techniques, pre-game for Friday night and about 4 minutes of their 2018 production entitled, "The Sounds of Silence."  It's going to be a great season!  Be sure to come check them out in person!

West Rowan Alum Performs with Phantom Regiment
On July 29th, the Marching Falcons traveled to Wake Forest's BB&T Field to watch the 31st edition of NightBeat, a Drum & Bugle Corps competition.  This year, we had the privilege of  watching WRHS Alum, Matthew Langford (Class of 2015), in his second season with Phantom Regiment.  Matthew is among the growing number of West Rowan graduates to join the ranks of Drum Corps International, and also serves as the head drum major at ASU.  We're proud of all our students, both current and former, and wish the best of luck to those auditioning for the 2019 season of DCI!

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!

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