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Music Awards

from The Instrumentalist

WWW.INSTRUMENTALISTAWARDS.COM

2024

Honoring excellence in school music programs since 1955.

Many Ways to Shine

In a time with countless school activities and inevitable electronic distractions, it

is remarkable just how many students begin the life-changing journey of music each

year. Many find a home in the music program as they grow to love the camaraderie

of rehearsal and the excitement of playing great works. Some develop leadership

skills as first chair players guiding their sections while others serve as mentors to

younger players and an invaluable foundation for the music program.

At The Instrumentalist, we recognize that success in any musical effort takes the tal-

ents and dedication of everyone involved. Since 1955, the awards we sponsor have

honored the excellence and commitment of those students who represent the best in

music eduation. This year we have added new ways to honor your top students.

The new National Band Leadership Award (p. 13) gives directors a way to

honor students with formal leadership roles as well as those who make extra

contributions without a title. They help because they love it.

We are also excited to announce an elegant new option for a

long-time favorite, the Sousa Student Plaque (p. 5). Modeled

after the design of the classic Sousa Wall Plaque, we hope this new

option for the student award will be cherished by winners just

as much as the classic Sousa Combination Set, which remains available.

Each year we look forward to helping directors honor their students.

Whether you are an old friend who has ordered for decades or a new director just

beginning your teaching career, we are always happy to answer questions and assist

you in any way.

Detailed information about award policies can be found on page 30. If you have any questions about

them or which awards would be most suitable for your school, please give us a call or send an email.

888-446-6888 or [email protected]

Concert Band

John Philip Sousa Band 4

- New Sousa Student Award Option

(See p. 5)

Patrick S. Gilmore Band 6

Director’s Award for Band 7

Jazz Band

Louis Armstrong Jazz 8

Woody Herman Jazz 10

Marching

National School Marching 12

National School Color Guard 12

National Band Leadership Award - NEW 13

Musicianship

Quincy Jones Musicianship 14

Leonard Bernstein Musicianship 15

Orchestra

National School Orchestra 16

Director’s Award for Orchestra 18

Choir

National School Choral 20

Director’s Award for Chorus 22

Piano

Frédéric Chopin Award 19

Other

Musicianship Certificates 11

Certificate Frame 11

Add-on Plaques 23

The Instrumentalist - Special Rate 25

Information Pages

Standing Orders 24

Biographies & Presentation Information 26

Award Policies 30

Shipping 30

Order Form 31

Table of Contents

Online Store: www.instrumentalistawards.com • Email: a[email protected]

Telephone: 888-446-6888 or 847-446-5000

Policies:

(see p. 30 for full details)

1. Restricted Quantity: To preserve the

integrity of this top award, schools are lim-

ited to one set of student awards per year

(or two in the event of a tie).

The Gilmore Award (p.6), and The

Director’s Award for Band (p.7) may be

used to honor additional students.

2. Winning students must receive at least

one part of the student award.

3. The Deskpiece $67 (21DN), Pin $10

(21PN), Certificate $10 (21CT) may be

purchased separately but all portions of a

combination set must be given to the same

student and not divided among students.

The solid walnut Sousa Wall

Plaque hangs in the band room

to highlight the band’s history

and inspire students for

decades to come. Each year

add the winning student’s

name. When the original

plaque is filled, a matching

Add-on Plaque can be pur-

chased to hang beneath it.

Sousa Wall Plaque (12" x 15")

Sousa Add-on Plaque (12" x 6")

John Philip Sousa

Band Award

The John Philip Sousa Band Award

honors

superior musicianship and dedication to the band

program and should be presented to the top

student in recognition of:

Outstanding achievement and interest in

instrumental music, loyalty and cooperation,

and an exemplary example of the high qualities

of conduct and leadership.

Introduced in 1955 with

the approval of Sousa’s

daughters, this award is

nationally recognized as the

highest honor high school

band students can achieve.

2024

Turn to p. 26 for biographical information on Sousa to share with students.

Sousa Student Awards

Each year honor your winning student’s

achievement with an official Sousa Student

Award. The traditional student award is the the

Sousa Combination Set that includes the deskpiece

with a white marble base and gold medallion, a

certificate with an embossed gold seal, and a pin.

New this year:

Sousa Student Plaque. We are excited to

announce a new option for Sousa winners. This

elegant new award is made of solid walnut,

matching the style of the Sousa Wall Plaque.

Students can hang the 6"x8" award on their

wall to enjoy for years to come.

If you are interested in changing your standing order to the

student plaque, please contact us by email or telephone.

Sousa Certificate (11" x 8.5")

(frame sold separately, see p. 11)

Do not put certificates through a printer.

Sousa Pin

Sousa Deskpiece

(Base: 3" x 2.5", Height: 3")

Option 1: Sousa Combination Set

(Image above is a representational mock-up of award.)

NEW

Option 2: Sousa Student Plaque (6" x 8")

(Available Spring 2024)

Band Awards

Sousa Student Combination Set $71

(21CB Deskpiece, pin, and certificate)

Sousa Student Plaque (21AW) $75

Sousa Conductor’s Combination $80

(21CC student award plus The Instrumentalist)

Sousa Wall Plaque (21PL) $135

Sousa Add-on Plaque (21AO) $79

Certificate Frame (29PL see page 11) $35

National Sousa Registry

Add your students’ names to the registry of

Sousa Award winners. This national registry is a

permanent record of students’ achievements.

www.sousawinners.com

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The Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award

was introduced in

1994 in honor of the legendary bandmaster and impresa-

rio. Like the Sousa Band Award, it recognizes outstand-

ing achievement and dedication to the band program.

Add-on Plaque (10.5" x 6.5")

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(5" x 7")

Many schools use the Gilmore

Award as a runner-up

to the Sousa Award to honor

additional deserving students.

(

Quantities are not limited, and directors

may determine how many to present.)

Gilmore Prices

Gilmore Student Award (31AW) $60

Gilmore Conductor’s Combination $69

(31CC, student award plus

The Instrumentalist, p. 25)

Gilmore Wall Plaque (31PL) $119

Gilmore Add-on Plaque (31AO) $79

Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award

Present the winners with

the beautiful, solid walnut

Gilmore Student Award each

year, engraving their names

on the provided line.

Gilmore Wall Plaque (10.5" x 13")

The walnut Wall Plaque (right)

hangs in the band room as a per-

manent record of students’

achievements. When the original

plaque is filled, a matching Add-on

Plaque with additional name

plates is available.

Gilmore Student Award

Turn to p. 26 for biographical information on Gilmore to share with students.

Award Policy: If you present this

award, you must give the official

student award to the winner(s).

Begun in 1973, The Director’s Award for Band

honors

outstanding members of a middle or high school band. Each

year present the winning students the walnut Student Award.

The award may be given to multiple deserving students.

The large plate offers room to engrave the name of the recip-

ient, school, director’s name, and presentation date.

Wall Plaque

(10.5" x 13")

Student Award

(5" x 7")

The Director’s Award for Band

The Director’s Award

for Band Prices

Dir. Band Student Award $63

(25AW)

Dir. Band/Conductor’s

Combination $72

(25CC, student award plus

The Instrumentalist, p. 25)

Dir. Band Wall Plaque (25PL) $119

Dir. Band Add-on Plaque $79

(25AO)

Use as a Middle School Band Award

or as Runner-up to the Sousa Award

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Award Policy: If you present this

award, you must give the official

student award to the winner(s).

Add the beautiful walnut

Wall Plaque to your order to

hang in the school and dis-

play the names of the win-

ners as inspiration for stu-

dents. A matching Add-on

Plaque with 12 additional

name plates may be pur-

chased when the original is

filled (see page 23).

Band Awards

The official student award is the

Armstrong Combination Set that consists of a

deskpiece with a white marble base and

medallion of Armstrong, a certificate

with an embossed gold seal, and a pin.

Armstrong Student Combination Set

Armstrong Certificate

(8.5" x 11")

(frame sold separately, p. 11)

Do not put certificates through a printer.

(actual size)

Deskpiece

(Base: 3" x 2.5", Height: 3.5")

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

This award is the top honor

for students in jazz band.

The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

was introduced in 1974 to

honor the outstanding jazz musician at each high school who

exhibits superior dedication, musicianship, and creativity.

From humble beginnings in

New Orleans, Louis Armstong

became one of the most

famous musicians in the

world. Armstrong dazzled

audiences with his skill as a

trumpeter, singer, and band-

leader for more than five

decades and helped to make

jazz an essential part of the

musical world.

Turn to p. 27 for biographical information on Armstrong to share with students.

Jazz Band

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Wall Plaque

Place the beautiful walnut Wall Plaque in the

band room as a permanent record of your out-

standing students. (14" x 12")

A matching Add-on Plaque is available when

the original is filled. It has 12 additional name

plates and is designed to hang directly below

the wall plaque. (14" x 5")

Armstrong Student Combination Set $71

(23CB Deskpiece, pin, and certificate)

Armstrong Conductor’s Combination $80

(23CC student award plus The Instrumentalist)

Armstrong Wall Plaque (23PL) $135

Armstrong Add-on Plaque (23AO) $79

Certificate Frame (29PL see page 11) $35

Policies:

(see p. 30 for full details)

1. Restricted Quantity: To preserve the

integrity of this top award, schools are lim-

ited to one set of student awards per year

(or two in the event of a tie).

The Herman Jazz Award (p.10) may be used

to honor additional students. (Quantities of

the Herman award are not limited.

2. Winning students must receive at least

one part of the student award.

3. The Deskpiece $67 (23DN), Pin $10

(23PN), Certificate $10 (23CT) may be

purchased separately but all portions of a

combination set must be given to the same

student and not divided among students.

Award Policy: If you present this award,

you must give the official student award to

the winner(s).

Jazz Band

Woody Herman led a series of bands from 1936 to 1987

and was noted for hiring up-and-coming young musicians,

many of whom became leading jazz performers. The Woody

Herman Jazz Award was created in 1989, shortly after his

death, as a way to honor outstanding jazz students.

Woody Herman Jazz Award

Middle schools use this award to honor their top

jazz players, while many high schools offer it as a

runner-up for the Armstrong Award.

(

Quantities are not limited.)

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Add-on Plaque (10.5" x 6.5")

(5" x 7")

Herman Prices

Herman Student Award (30AW) $60

Herman Wall Plaque (30PL) $119

Herman Add-on Plaque (30AO) $79

Present the winners with

the beautiful, solid walnut

Herman Student Award each

year, engraving their names

and presentation date on the

provided line.

Herman Wall Plaque (10.5" x 13")

Herman Student Award

Order the walnut Wall Plaque

to hang in the band room as a

permanent record of your

students’ achievements. There

is a matching Add-on Plaque when

the original is filled.

(Note: If you present this award at your

school, you must give the official student

award to the winner/winners).

Turn to p. 28 for biographical information on Herman to share with students.

For the principal players in each section.

For outstanding musicianship.

Musicianship Certificate

(29MU)

Merit Certificate

(29ME)

First Chair Certificate

(29FC)

For meritorious progress and service.

3 Choices for Certificates

Because so many students contribute to the

success of a musical ensemble, there may be addi-

tional students you want to honor. These colorful

11" x 8.5" certificates are printed on heavy, high-

quality paper stock. (All shown in certificate frame,

which is sold separately – see below.)

Certificate Frame (29PL)

The wood certificate frame will protect the

award and allow students to display their accom-

plishment. All of our certificates fit in the beau-

tiful wood frame with an acrylic cover to protect

the certificates for years to come.

Unlike the awards, which may be purchased

only by schools, students and parents may order

the frame. $35

Certificates

Certificates & Frame

Certificate Prices

Certificate quantities of

1-11 – $4 each

12-24 – only $3.25 each

25+ – only $2.75 each

(Must be all the same certificate for quantity discount.)

Orders of certificates and/or pins alone are sent via USPS

– unless rush shipping is requested. Shipping rates will

vary based on quantity. Call or email if you need a quote.

We recommend not putting certificates through a printer.

National School

Color Guard Award

for outstanding contributions

and achievements

Marching Student Award

Color Guard Student Award

Color Guard Wall Plaque

(10.5" x 13")

National School Marching Award

National School Color Guard Award

Marching Wall Plaque

(10.5" x 13")

The National School Marching Award

and the National

School Color Guard Award

recognize the outstanding

achievements, contributions, and dedication of student

leaders in marching band and color guard.

Each year honor your top students who make the

season a success. Present the winners with the Student Awards

(5" x 7"). These high-quality awards are made from solid wal-

nut wood with a vibrant color picture.

Order the matching Wall Plaques to display a permanent

record of their achievements. The solid walnut wall plaques

come with 15 name plates to engrave the winners’ names.

When the original plaques are filled, matching Add-on Plaques

are available. (See page 23.) Prices on following page.

Marching

Leadership

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Marching Award Prices

Marching Student Award (33AW) $60

Marching Wall Plaque (33PL) $119

Marching Add-on Plaque (33AO) $79

Color Guard Award Prices

Color Guard Student Award (34AW) $60

Color Guard Wall Plaque (34PL) $119

Color Guard Add-on Plaque (34AO) $79

Note: if you present this award at your school, you must give the official student award to the winner(s).

These awards do not have quantity limits.

Band Leadership Prices

Leadership Student Award (37AW) $60

Leadership Wall Plaque (37PL) $119

Leadership Add-on Plaque (37AO) $79

Sometimes these students have an official title: drum major, lead

trumpet, or band manager. In other cases, students step up by lending a

hand to a younger player needing help on the marching field or assist-

ing directors with essential tasks outside of rehearsal. These students set

the standard for others and instill a culture of success.

Present the winners with the (5" x 7") Student

Award (right) each year. Like the National School

Marching and Color Guard awards, it is made

from solid walnut and includes a nameplate to

engrave the winner’s name.

Order the matching (10.5" x 13") Wall Plaque

(left) to display a permanent record of their

achievements in the band room.

NEW

National Band

Leadership Award

National Band Leadership

Student Award

We are excited to announce a new award this year – the

National Band Leadership Award – to offer directors a way to

recognize those students who take a generous and selfless

approach to serving their bands.

(The image above is a representational

mock-up of the award.)

Award image by Joe Bonello,

B. Johnson Photography

In his long musical career Quincy

Jones has done it all as a composer,

arranger, performer, producer, and

teacher. Every music program has

students who share this boundless

energy and musical versatility. With

his approval we offer this award to

encourage students in their pursuit

of music.

Wall Plaque

(10.5" x 13")

Student Award

(5" x 7")

The Quincy Jones Award

honors outstanding students in

band, orchestra, and choir for their

creativity and musicianship.

Quincy Jones Musicianship Award

Order the walnut wood Wall Plaque (left) for the rehearsal room to

inspire students for years to come. When the original plaque is

filled, there is a matching Add-on Plaque with 12 additional plates is

available. (See p. 23)

Quincy Jones Prices

Quincy Jones Student Award (28AW) $60

Quincy Jones Wall Plaque (28PL) $119

Quincy Jones Add-on Plaque (28AO) $79

(Note: If you present this award at your school, you must give the

official student award to the winner/winners).

Turn to page 28 for biographical information on Quincy Jones to share with students.

Each year give the winning students

the walnut Student Award. The award may

be given to multiple deserving students.

Leonard Bernstein

Musicianship Award

Leonard Bernstein made an indelible mark on the

musical world as a conductor, composer, and teacher. The

Leonard Bernstein Musicianship Award was introduced

in 2016 to honor top music students.

Directors may use this award in a manner most appropriate

for their school, but it is intended to honor students who

participate in any area of the music program whose

contributions, dedication, and creativity set them apart as

deserving of the highest recognition for their achievements.

The name and likeness of Leonard Bernstein are U.S. registered trademarks owned

by The Leonard Bernstein Office, and are used under license.

Turn to p. 29 for biographical information on Leonard Bernstein to share with students.

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(5" x 7")

Bernstein Prices

Bernstein Student Award (35AW) $60

Bernstein Wall Plaque (35PL) $119

Bernstein Add-on Plaque (35AO) $79

(Quantities are not limited.)

Each year give the Bernstein

Student Award to the winners.

The award is made from solid

walnut to last a lifetime.

Engrave the student’s name

on the line at the bottom.

Bernstein Student Award

Bernstein Wall Plaque (10.5" x 13")

Order the beautiful walnut

Wall Plaque (left) to hang in the

band room as a permanent

record of your students’

achievements.

When the 15 plates on the

plaque are filled, a matching

Add-on Plaque is available. (See

p. 23)

(Note: If you present this award at

your school, you must give the official

student award to the winners).

Musicianship Awards

The official Orchestra Student Award is the Orchestra

Combination Set that consists of the deskpiece with white

marble base and medallion, a certificate with embossed

gold seal, and a pin.

National Orchestra Student Combination Set

Do not put certificates through a printer.

Deskpiece

(Base: 3" x 2.5", Height: 3")

Orchestra Certificate (11" x 8.5")

(frame sold separately, see p. 11)

National School Orchestra Award

The National School Orchestra Award began in 1960 as the coun-

terpart to the Sousa Band Award. It recognizes outstanding contribu-

tions and dedication to the ensemble and superior musicianship.

photo at top by Kirby Fong

Orchestra

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Add-on Plaque

A matching Add-on Plaque is avail-

able when the original is filled. It has

12 additional name plates and is

designed to hang directly below the

wall plaque. (16" x 4.75")

Wall Plaque

Order the beautiful walnut Wall

Plaque to hang in the music room as a

permanent record of outstanding

achievement each year. (16" x 13")

The National School Orchestra Award is

the counterpart to the Sousa Band

Award and the highest honor you can

bestow upon a member of a high

school orchestra.

National Orchestra Award Prices

National Orchestra Combination Set $71

(24CB Deskpiece, pin, and certificate)

National Orchestra Wall Plaque (24PL) $135

National Orch. Add-on Plaque (24AO) $79

Certificate Frame (29PL see page 11) $35

Policies:

(see p. 30 for full details)

1. Restricted Quantity: To preserve the integrity of this top

award, schools are limited to one set of student awards per year

(or two in the event of a tie). The Director’s Award for

Orchestra (p.18) may be used to honor additional students.

2. Winning students must receive at least one part of the stu-

dent award.

3. The Deskpiece $67 (24DN), Pin $10 (24PN), Certificate

$10 (24CT) may be purchased separately but all portions of a

combination set must be given to the same student and not

divided among students.

The Director’s Award for Orchestra

honors outstanding

members of a middle or high school orchestra. Each year

present the winning students the walnut Student Award. The

award may be given to multiple deserving students. The large

plate offers room to engrave the name of the recipient,

school, director’s name, and presentation date.

Wall Plaque

(10.5" x 13")

Student Award

(5" x 7")

The Director’s Award for Orchestra

The Director’s Award

for Orchestra

Dir. Orch. Student Award $63

(26AW)

Dir. Orch. Wall Plaque $119

(26PL)

Dir. Orch. Add-on Plaque $79

(26AO)

Quantities are not limited.

Use as a Middle School Orchestra Award or as a

Runner-up to the National School Orchestra Award

Award Policy: You must give the official student award to the winner(s)

each year you present the award.

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Orchestra

Add the beautiful wal-

nut wood Wall Plaque to

your order to hang in the

school and display the

names of the winners as

inspiration for students.

An Add-on Plaque with

12 additional name plates

may be purchased when

the original is filled (See

page 23).

Chopin Prices

Chopin Combination Set (27CB) $71

Chopin Wall Plaque (27PL) $119

Add-on Plaque (27AO) $79

Certificate Frame (29PL) $35

Note: You may order the pin, certificate, and

deskpiece separately, but all parts of the combi-

nation set awarded must be given to the same

student. If multiple students receive awards,

they must be given the same part(s). Deskpiece

$67 (27DN), pin $10 (27PN), certificate $10

(27CT).

Piano Award

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Frédéric Chopin Piano Award

The Frédéric Chopin Piano Award was started in 1964 to honor

outstanding pianists in the school music program. It recognizes

exceptional dedication and superior musicianship.

Chopin Certificate (11" x 8.5")

(frame sold separately, see p. 11)

Do not put certificates through a printer.

Chopin Pin

Chopin Student Award

The official Chopin Student Award

is the Chopin Combination Set that

includes the deskpiece with a white

marble base and medallion of Chopin,

a certificate with an embossed gold

seal, and a pin of Chopin.

Chopin Deskpiece

(Base: 3"x2.5", Height: 3.5")

Engrave the winners’ names

on the beautiful walnut wood

Wall Plaque (10.5"x13") and

hang it in the music room to

inspire students for years to

come. (Note: If you present this award

at your school, you must give the official

student award to the winner/winners).

When the 12 plates on the

original are filled, a matching

Add-on Plaque is available with

12 more plates (see page 23).

Choral Certificate

(11" x 8.5")

frame sold separately, see p. 11

We suggest that you do not put

certificates through a printer.

The National School Choral Award was started in 1964 to be the

counterpart to the Sousa Band Award and National School Orchestra

Award. It is the highest honor for high school choral performers and

recognizes the dedication and musical achievement of the program’s top

two choral students.

National School Choral Award

Policies:

(see p. 30 for full details)

1. Restricted Quantity: To preserve the integrity of this top

award, schools are limited to two sets of student awards per year

(or up to four in the event of ties). The Director’s Award for

Chorus (p.22) may be used to honor additional students.

2. Winning students must receive at least one part of the student

award.

3. The Deskpiece $67 (22DN), Pin $10 (22PN), Certificate $10

(22CT) may be purchased separately but all portions of a combi-

nation set must be given to the same student and not divided

among students.

The official Choral Student Combination Set consists of the deskpiece with white marble base and

bright medallion, a certificate with embossed gold seal, and a pin.

Choral Deskpiece

(Base: 3" x 2.5", Height: 3.4")

National Choral Student Combination Set

Choral

National Choral Prices

National Choral Combination Set (22CB) $71

National Choral Wall Plaque (22PL) $135

National Choral Add-on Plaque (22AO) $79

Certificate Frame (29PL) $35

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Choral Add-on Plaque (12" x 6")

Choral Wall Plaque

(12" x 15")

Order the beautiful walnut Wall Plaque as a perma-

nent record of outstanding achievement each year.

When the 15 plates are filled, a matching Add-on

Plaque is available with 12 additional plates.

photo by Kirby Fong

Student Award (32AW) $63

Wall Plaque (32PL) $119

Add-on Plaque (32AO) $79

Note: If you are presenting this award at

your school, you must give the official

student award to the winner(s).

The Director’s Award for Chorus honors the top leaders of a

middle or high school chorus. It can be used as a secondary

award after the National School Choral Award.

Each year present the Student Award

to the winners. The large plate offers

room to engrave the name of the recip-

ient, school, director, and presentation

date. Quantities are not restricted.

The beautiful walnut Wall Plaque

hangs in the school to inspire students

and generate enthusiasm. When the 12

plates are filled, a matching Add-on

Plaque is available with 12 additional

plates. (See p. 23)

Wall Plaque (10.5" x 13")

Student Award

(5" x 7")

Fred Waring Director’s Award for Chorus

Due to ongoing demand, we will continue to offer the Fred Waring

Director’s Award for Chorus. If you do not request the Waring format, you

will receive the standard Director’s Award for Chorus (shown above).

The Director’s Award for Chorus

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Waring Student Award (36AW) $60

Waring Wall Plaque (36PL) $119

Waring Add-on Plaque (36AO) $79

Choral

Add-on Plaques

Sousa/Choral Add-on Plaque

(12" x 6")

Four styles of matching add-on plaques are avail-

able to accommodate additional names of recipients

when the original wall plaques are filled.

Please specify which add-on plaque you need as

the plates match the style of the original, and the

plaque is designed to be the appropriate width to

hang under the original wall plaque.

• Sousa/Choral Add-on for the Sousa Band and

National School Choral awards.

• Armstrong Add-on

• National School Orchestra Add-on

• Director’s Add-on This style add-on plaque is

used with all of our other wall plaques including

the Director’s Awards for Band, Orchestra, and

Chorus/Waring, as well as the Herman, Gilmore,

Leonard Bernstein, and Quincy Jones awards.

Also available with silver plates for the National

School Marching and National School Color

Guard awards.

All add-on plaques are $79.

Director’s Add-on Plaque

(10.5" x 6.5")

Add-on Plaques

National School Orchestra Add-on Plaque

(16" x 4.75")

Armstrong Add-on Plaque (14" x 5")

888-446-6888 • www.instrumentalistawards.com • [email protected]

Save time, stress, and money

each year with a Standing Order.

Each spring we get frantic calls from directors who have forgotten to place their award

order and face rush shipping charges in order to receive their awards in time. The end of the

school year is always a busy time. Avoid the rush and put the awards you order each year on

a Standing Order. Even if you make frequent changes, it is simple to adjust the order from

year to year and add a purchase order before shipment.

How it works:

1. You receive a confirmation form and a catalog each January. The confirmation lists the

awards you placed on the standing order as well as the current prices.

2. Make any changes at that time. Add or subtract awards or cancel altogether. You may add

a purchase order number and update any information on your account. If you do not want

to make any changes, simply do nothing, and the awards will be shipped automatically.

Confirm your standing order online at www.instrumentalistawards.com, email awards@

theinstrumentalist.com or call 888-446-6888.

3. Your awards will be shipped in early March (unless you ask for them sooner) and

arrive in plenty of time for your award presentation. Additional awards may be ordered

at any time. There is never any obligation to purchase the awards placed on standing

order, and awards (in good condition) may always be returned.

All of these awards (including the names and images) are registered with the U.S.

Patent and Trademark Office and are protected by registered marks. Duplication of these

awards or the creation of similar awards is prohibited and will be prosecuted. Please inform us

of any violation of these registered marks.

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For seven decades band and orchestra directors have

relied on The Instrumentalist to learn about the latest

developments in music education. As a thank you to our

best customers, we offer a special rate when a magazine

is ordered with awards. Called a Conductor’s

Combination, you will receive a 1-year subscription for

only $9. (Add $19 outside the U.S.)

Give yourself a reward – Add the best magazine

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Important 2024 Awards Information

You can make changes to your stand-

ing order until February 28th. Awards

are shipped in early March unless you

request an earlier shipment. You can pro-

vide a purchase order number, change the

shipping address, and add or subtract

awards. Please call, email, or go to our

online store to adjust or confirm your

standing order.

If you do not have a standing order but

your school has purchased awards in the

past, you will receive a 2024 catalog.

Telephone: 888-446-6888

Email [email protected].

Online store:

www.instrumentalistawards.com

Some schools also give a magazine subscription

as an additional award to students planning a

career in music education.

John Philip Sousa was a trail-

blazer as a composer and as a band

director. He wrote 136 marches,

15 operettas, 70 songs, 11 waltzes,

and 20 band fantasies. He also

wrote seven books, of which two

were novels. Some of his most

famous marches are Stars and

Stripes Forever, Semper Fidelis, The

Washington Post, El Capitan, and

The Thunderer.

Sousa was born in Washington,

DC in 1854. He learned to play

the violin and wanted to join a

circus band at age 13. His father

was a Marine and decided that the

boy should enlist in the Marines as

an apprentice

musician

instead. Sousa

spent almost

20 years in

military serv-

ice over sever-

al stints. He

became the

leader of the

Marine Band

at age 26. It was there that he per-

fected his musical skills.

When Sousa left the military,

he formed the Sousa Band, which

played everywhere for huge

crowds. He hired the best musi-

cians and always programmed sev-

eral featured soloists. The Sousa

Band brought performances of

fine music to smaller cities that

did not have symphony orches-

tras. He was always eager to help

struggling young composers, and

his band probably played more

new, unpublished American music

than any other musical organiza-

tion in the country at the time.

The John Philip Sousa Band

Award was created in 1954

on the 100th anniversary of

Sousa’s birth with the enthu-

siastic approval of his daugh-

ters, Helen and Priscilla.

John Philip Sousa

(1854-1932)

Patrick S.

Gilmore

(1829- 1892)

Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore

(1829-1892) played for every pres-

ident of his day, including

Abraham Lincoln. He was the

music director for the dedication

of the Statue of Liberty. In 1891

he made some of the earliest com-

mercial recordings at Thomas

Edison’s laboratory in New Jersey.

Among Gilmore’s most famous

compositions are When Johnny

Comes Marching Home, Good

News from Home, We Are Coming

Father Abraham, Seeing Nellie

Home, and Famous 22nd Regiment

March.

Gilmore was known for

grandiose performances and

Father of the American

Concert Band

Biographies & Presentation Information

enthusiastic promotion. At the

1864 inauguration of a Louisiana

governor, he enlisted a brass band

of over 500, a chorus of 6,000, a

battery of artillery, 50 anvils, and

the church bells of the city. Later

performances would employ an

even grander scale of ensemble

and helped build Gilmore’s repu-

tation and fame.

Gilmore’s career came to an end

just two days before the inaugural

concert of John Philip Sousa’s

newly formed professional band.

As a tribute, Sousa chose

Gilmore’s own composition, The

Voice of a Departing Soul, for the

opening number on his program.

Thus, as one era in American

bands ended, another was just

beginning.

Louis Armstrong was a jazz pio-

neer and one of America’s best

ambassadors of goodwill abroad.

From his fabled beginning in a

New Orleans orphanage, he was

introduced to the trumpet by a

band director.

Early on he played with several

New Orleans bands but soon left

for the bustling musical city of

Chicago. He went on to play with

Joe Oliver, Fletcher Henderson,

and Coleman Hawkins and later

formed his own band.

When the Great Depression hit

in the late 1920s the music industry

suffered greatly. A number of clubs

closed, and some musicians had to

take jobs in other professions.

In the 1930s Armstrong moved

to Los Angeles and gained popu-

larity among the Hollywood stars

who came out to see his club

dates. He appeared in several

movies and also performed exten-

sively throughout Europe.

In 1948 he appeared on one of

the earliest television broadcasts,

a show called Toast of the Town

that would later be known as the

Ed Sullivan Show. Armstrong’s

trumpet playing would continue

to inspire jazz musicians for

decades to come. As Miles Davis

once said, “you can’t play any-

thing on a horn that Louis hasn’t

played.” Armstrong helped bring

the American art form of jazz to

the world, and his influence on

music will never be forgotten.

Outstanding examples of

Armstrong’s playing can be found

on the albums Louis Armstrong

Plays W.C. Handy, Satch Plays

Fats, and Ambassador Satch.

Louis Armstrong

(1901-1971)

Louis Armstrong in 1956

Quincy Jones

(Born: 1933)

Quincy Jones, legendary com-

poser, songwriter, arranger, and

producer, has collaborated with

the biggest names in music

including Frank Sinatra, Count

Basie, Ray Charles, Duke

Ellington, and Michael Jackson.

He has received 80 Grammy nom-

inations and won 28 Grammy

Awards.

Jones accompanied Dizzy

Gillespie on State Department

tours of the Mideast and Africa in

the 1950s and credits these travels

for broadening his musical hori-

zons. In a 2007 interview in The

Instrumentalist he noted that

“Good musicians have an interest

in many types of music. We stud-

ied Ellington, Bill Evans, and

everyone else.”

His musical portfolio expanded

in the 1960s when he became

vice-president of Mercury Records

in 1964. That same year, film

A Life on the Road

Woodrow Charles Herman grew

up in Milwaukee but did not spend

much time there. “By the time I

was nine, I was on the road as a

song and dance kid. My father was

a frustrated ham, so he got me into

the business.”

Herman became a professional

saxophone player at age 15.

Perhaps remembering his youth-

ful beginnings, Herman often

took time to encourage young

players throughout his career. He

sometimes signed autographs long

after a concert had ended.

Herman’s bands were known as

Herds and performed under such

names as Herman’s Herd, the

Thundering Herd, and the

Anglo-American Herd. His

Second Herd began in 1947 and

was known as The Four Brothers

Band for its notable sax section

with three tenors and a baritone.

Herman’s groups also gained a

reputation for adapting their play-

ing style over the years but always

maintained the common thread

of great musicianship. Some of

Herman’s most well-known songs

include: Woodchopper’s Ball, Four

Brothers, Apple Honey, and his

band’s theme song, Blue Flame.

He commented in 1986, “when

high school kids ask me if they

can make a career in music I

strongly advise them to continue

if they love it because in music

they have something real. The

more deeply they get involved in

it, the more music will do for

them in their life. When you are

involved in either playing or lis-

tening to music, you are com-

pletely on your own; you have

complete solace from anything

that might try to creep into your

mind. I call it the great escape.”

Woody Herman

(1913-1987)

Biographies & Presentation Information

Leonard Bernstein

(1918-1990)

Leonard Bernstein was born in

Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1918

and studied music at Harvard

University and the Curtis

Institute of Music where he stud-

ied conducting with Fritz Reiner.

In 1943 he was appointed assis-

tant conductor of the New York

Philharmonic and made his con-

ducting debut with the orchestra

when guest conductor Bruno

Walter was stricken with the flu.

This nationally broadcast per-

formance brought him instant

fame and led to many additional

conducting appearances with

other orchestras.

He was appointed music direc-

tor of the New York Philharmonic

in 1958 and held this post until

1969. He continued to conduct

periodically with the orchestra

throughout his life. Bernstein also

gained great acclaim as a compos-

er of such music as West Side Story,

Candide, On the Town, and many

concert works.

Bernstein was particularly

proud of his work as an educator.

One of his many projects was a

series of 53 telecasts of Young

People’s Concerts between 1958

and 1972. These concerts, which

were a Philharmonic tradition

when Bernstein began leading the

orchestra, became a centerpiece

of his educational mission. They

were broadcast on CBS and cov-

ered the works of many great com-

posers, some of the nuances of

musical theory, and the meaning

of music. The programs were syn-

dicated in 40 countries. Leonard

Bernstein died in 1990, leaving a

rich musical legacy that continues

to inspire people today.

director Sidney Lumet invited

him to compose music for the

film, The Pawnbroker. Jones ended

up scoring nearly 40 motion pic-

ture scores, including The Color

Purple, for which he received an

Academy Award nomination. He

became highly in-demand as an

arranger and record producer.

Now 90 years old, Quincy

Jones’s eclectic musical Journey

and humanitarian efforts have led

to dozens of awards and honorary

degrees. His university honors

include honorary degrees from

Berklee College of Music,

Morehouse College, the Univer-

sity of Pennsylvania, and Prince-

ton University, among others.

The Harvard School of Public

Health named him its Mentor of

the Year in 2007 and simultane-

ously launched the Q Prize to

recognize extraordinary advoca-

cy on behalf of the world’s chil-

dren. He has been inducted into

the California Hall of Fame, the

Dance Music Hall of Fame, the

Royal Swedish Academy of

Music, and received a Lifetime

Achievement Award from the

Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Even with his unprecedented

career and success, Quincy Jones

encourages others to focus on

music, not accolades. “The cardi-

nal rule is that you approach your

creativity with humility and

treat your success with grace.”

Shipping

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Hawaii and

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1-2

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Award Policies

1. Limited Quantities: The John Philip Sousa Award

, Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

, and the National

School Orchestra Award

are limited to one student per school per year. The National School Choral

Award

is limited to two students per school per year. In the unusual instance of a tie, the director should

certify this fact to us and present an extra award. All portions of a combination set must be given to the same

student, not divided among students. In the event of a tie, each student must receive identical award(s).

2. Unlimited Quantities: The Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award

, National School Marching Award

National School Color Guard Award

, National Leadership Award

, Woody Herman Jazz Award

Director’s Awards for Band

, Orchestra

, and Chorus

, Quincy Jones, Leonard Bernstein, Chopin, and

the Merit, Musicianship, and First Chair Certificates are available in unlimited quantities.

3. Awards Recipients are selected by the director, music department, or other school officials, not by The

Instrumentalist. We do not offer engraving services. (These awards should be rotary engraved, not laser.)

4. Money-Back Guarantee: An award that is defective or damaged in transit will be replaced. Any award

may be returned in good condition for full credit.

5. Awards will be sold only to schools and never to individuals. The only exception is the certificate

frame. We will initially bill another entity, such as a booster club or teacher, but the school receiving the awards

is responsible for payment of these items. If an order is placed for multiple schools, the name of the school

giving each award must be specified. Note: if

ANY

director at a school has an outstanding balance from a pre-

vious year, we will ship no further awards to the school until the past due amount is paid.

6. All of these awards (including the names and images) are registered with the U.S. Patent and

Trademark Office and are protected by registered marks. Duplication of these awards or the creation of sim-

ilar awards is prohibited. In addition, if you are presenting one of these awards, you must present at least one part

of the student award to the winning student.

Amt. of order Shipping*

up to $100 $16

$100.01-$250.00 $21

Over $250 $26

ground shipping/continental U.S.

*Shipping Rates subject to change.

Orders of certificates/

pins only are usually sent

via USPS; shipping rates

will vary based on quantity.

Call or email if you need the

exact rates for your order.

Awards shipped ground FedEx unless oth-

erwise requested. Overnight, 2nd day, and

3-day delivery available. Call for shipping

costs outside contiguous U.S.

Total Price

Item

QuantityPrice

Shipping (not included in price of awards–see p. 30)

Instrumentalist

Awards Order Form

Date: ____/___/____

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Put these awards on a

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National Band Leadership Award

No school band reaches its potential without strong student leaders.

Sometimes these students have an official title: drum major, lead trum-

pet, or band manager. In other cases, students step up by lending a hand

to a younger player needing help on the marching field or assisting

directors with essential tasks outside of rehearsal. These students set the

standard for others and instill a culture of success.

The National Band Leadership Award offers a way to recognize those

students who take a generous and selfless approach to serving their

bands. You couldn’t do it without them.

Present the winners with the Student Award (right) each year and order

the matching Wall Plaque to display a permanent record of their

achievements in the band room. (More information on p. 13)

888-446-6888 • www.instrumentalistawards.com • [email protected]

Sousa Student Plaque

We are excited to announce a new option for Sousa winners – the

Sousa Student Plaque. This elegant new award is made of solid walnut,

matching the style of the Sousa Wall Plaque. Students can hang the

6"x8" award on their wall to enjoy for years to come. This is an alternate

official Sousa student award, and the traditional Sousa Combination

Set remains available. Please let us know by telephone or email if you

want to change your standing order to this option. This new award is

available Spring 2024. (More information on p. 5)

(The image above is a representational

mock-up of the award.)

NEW for 2024

NEW

(The image above is a representational

mock-up of the award.)