Projects and Awards
Col John
R. Bourgeois,
Conductor
The Sousa National High School Honors Band
******* June 24-28, 2008 *******
Americas Most Prestigious Band
New Orleans, Louisiana
The first Sousa National High School Honors Band was organized in 1981 and has been held biennially since that time. The 2005 band was the thirteenth band to be organized. It was composed of 100 high school juniors and seniors. Rehearsals and associated activities (June 14-18) took place at Loyola University in New Orleans, where the students were housed. The concert was scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, June 18, followed by a banquet in the evening. Students were chaperoned by band directors (chosen from directors of participating students) and rehearsed by Col John R. Bourgeois, USMC (Ret.), former director of the United States Marine Band, "The President's Own." We look forward to being able to bring about the Sousa National High School Honors Band in June 24-28, 2008.
The 2008 band will be the fifteenth highly select ensemble to continue the tradition of musical excellence. The band will be comprised of 100 high school juniors and seniors who are recommended by their durectors and who have distinguished themselves as outstanding musicians in their respective states. Rehearsals and associated activities will be held on the campus of Loyola University.
The Sousa National High School Honors Band student registration cost is $400.00, which includes housing, a gala banquet and cruise of the Delta Queen Paddlewheeler, and the privilege of performing with some of the nation's finest high school musicians, Final selection will be based upon years and level of performance experience, awards, honors, and director's recommendation.
To apply for the Sousa Honors Band, click the words "Application Form". Further inquiries may be directed to:
Dr. John Culvahouse
jculvaho@kennesaw.edu
Dr. John Culvahouse, Chair
The National High School Honors Band
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Road - Box 3201
Kennesaw, GA 30144
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Col. John R. Bourgeois Conductor Col. John R. Bourgeois is the permanent conductor of the Sousa National High School Honors Band. A native of Louisiana, Col. Bourgeois is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans. He joined the Marine Corps in 1956 and entered "The President's Own" in 1958; named director in 1979, his career spanned nine presidential administrations. He retired on July 11, 1996. |
Under his leadership, the Marine Band presented its first overseas performances, traveling to the Netherlands in 1958 and an historic 18-day concert tour of the former Soviet Union as a part of the first US-USSR Armed Forces Band Exchange.
Col.
Bourgeois is past president of the American Bandmasters Association, the
National Band Association, president and CEO of the John Philip Sousa
Foundation, and the American vice president of the International Military
Music Society. He has served on the board of directors of the World Association
for Symphonic Band and Ensembles and the Association of Concert Bands.
In 1996, Col Bourgeois began an endowed visiting professorship at Loyola
University in New Orleans, where he conducts classes and ensembles for
two weeks each semester.
Among the many honors and awards Col. Bourgeois has received are the 1986
Phil Beta Mu Outstanding Bandmaster Award and the 1987 Kappa Kappa Psi
distinguished Service to Music Award. In 1993, he was presented with the
Grainger Medallion of the Percy Grainger Society and was awarded the Mid-West
Internationl Band and Orchestra Clinic Medal of Honor. In 1996, Col. Bourgeois
was recognized by the American School Band Directors Assocation with its
prestigious A.A. Harding Award. He was elected to the Academy of Wind
and Percussion Arts of the National Band Assocation in 1988, and inducted
into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2001. He received the 1991 Phil Mu Alpha
National Citation and was named the fraternity's "American Man of
Music" for 2002-2003.
Col. Bourgeois conducted his final concert as director of "The President's
Own" on July 11, 1996 (the band's 198th birthday), at DAR Constitution
Hall in Washington, D.C. More than 3,500 people attended this gala event.
During the concert, letters of gratitude and praise by Presidents Clinton,
Bush, Carter, Ford and Mrs. Reagan were read. Secretary of the Navy John
H. Dalton hailed Bourgeois as "a national treasure" and presented
the Distinguished Service Medal from President Clinton. The concert was
covered by media giants CNN, ABC, CBS, The New York Times, The Wall Street
Journal, and The Washington Post. ABC's Peter Jennings selected Col. Bourgeois
as the Evening News "Person of the Week."
After the Change of Command concert, Tim Page, The Washington Post's chief
music critic, wrote, "On the evidence of this concert, Bourgeois
leaves his ensemble in teriffic shape; indeed, it would be hard to imagine
any band playing with greater vigor, precision, and variety...Washington
is very generous with is standing ovations. But Bourgeois deserved each
and every one he received last night."
His philosophy of music is that he tries to give the best performanes
of the best music to the degree that he is capable. This philosophy has
been evident to the over 1000 high school musicians who have formally
participated in the Sousa National High School Honors Band and to countless
students throughout the nation who have been privileged to perform under
his direction.
Application
Instructions
The
National High School Honors Band
America's Most Prestigious Honors Band
AN ENDOWED PROJECT OF THE JOHN PHILIP SOUSA FOUNDATION
at Loyola University New Orleans
The form you will be completing is the initial part of your application. After you submit it, you will receive confirmation, and then by standard mail you will recieve the final section of the application. It will consist of a request for signatures of your band director, parent or legal guardian, and yourself. By their signatures, all are agreeing that the student has no conflicts with the dates and will participate if selected. In addition, a recent photo of the student is to be submitted.
No student will be permitted to miss any rehearsal for any reason. Parents are agreeing that the students are responsible for all expenses (transportation, meals, registration fee), and that they will make payment promptly upon selection. Students are agreeing to follow all rules for the group regarding behavior, dress, grooming; they agree to the no smoking/no drinking/no drug policy, and to meet the curfew established each evening. Concert attire for males will be a very dark, plain suit (black or very dark grey, brown, or blue), white shirt, black bow tie, black dress shoes, and black socks. Attire for females will be a plain dark dress and black shoes.
The final section of the application must be accompanied by a $50 check payable to "Sousa Foundation" and is due April 1. This will be applied to the $400.00 fee. Mail to Sousa Foundation, %Dr. John Culvahouse, Chair Kennesaw State University 100 Chastain Road - Box 3201 Kennesaw, GA 30144. Accepted students will be notified promptly (by April 15), and full details will be sent. Students who are not accepted will have their deposit check returned. The deposit is non-refundable to accepted students.