The Sudler Shield



An International Award Recognizing High School, Youth, and International Marching Bands of World Class Excellence


The Sudler Shield Award is endowed by Louis and Virginia Sudler



2022 Nomination Forms


All nominations are due 4:00pm (CST) on Friday, December 2, 2022.



There were no Sudler Shield activities in 2020 due to COVID-19.


2019 Sudler Shield Winners:


Small School Division: Mineola High School Band from Mineola, Texas - Chris Brannan, Director


Large School Division: Large School Division - Vandegrift High School Band from Austin, Texas - Mike Howard, Director


Purpose


1. 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.
2. To identify, recognize, and honor outstanding high school, youth, and international marching bands who are at a world class level of excellence. 


Procedure


1. The award is open to any high school, youth, or international marching band in any country regardless of geographical location, religious or political belief, race, color, or ethnic background.



2. Nominations will be received from any source, and at any time, by the Sousa Foundation. The deadline for submitted materials to be received (not postmarked) is the first Friday in December.


3. The Sudler Shield Jury (after viewing videos and supporting materials submitted by the nominees) will make the selection(s).



4. Materials to be submitted:


a) A properly executed nomination form


b) One (high camera preferred, but not required) high quality video from the current (nomination) school year
) One or two page resume or fact sheet of the marching band (no notebooks please).


5. There is no entry fee.



6. The current marching band director must have been incumbent in his/her present position as marching band director for the past five years preceding the year of nomination. The marching band may be nominated during the sixth year of the director’s tenure.



7. The video performance should be of a field show performed on a regulation American or Canadian football field, on a European soccer field, or in an appropriate indoor venue. The area of performance should be one that is accepted as a standard marching band facility in the home venue of the nominated band.



8. A previous Sudler Shield recipient may not re-apply unless there is a new director. The new director must have been in his/her position for a minimum of five years (see number 6 above).



9. The recorded performance must have taken place during the calendar year in which the video is submitted. It must be a continuous recording, of a single performance, without editing. The minimum duration of the performance is six minutes. The maximum length of the performance is twelve minutes. For timing purposes, the performance will start whenever the band begins either its music or movement on the field. A specific performance recording (video) may not be submitted more than once.



10. All members of the nominated band must be regularly enrolled students in the high school or regular members of the youth band as it is organized.



11. The jury will evaluate nominations at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic (Chicago, Illinois, USA) each December. Award winners will be advised as soon as possible after the selection by telephone or email.



12. There is no specific number of marching bands to be honored each year. However, the highest standards of excellence will be in effect during the selection process and only qualified bands will be selected.



13. Nomination forms may be obtained by writing Professor W. Dale Warren at the address list below or via his email:
wdwarren@uark.edu


14. All nomination forms, videos, and other materials should be received (not postmarked) by the first Friday in December. Please send to:

Professor W. Dale Warren, Sudler Shield Chairman, Senior Wind Band Conductor
, University of Arkansas, 
205 Lewis E. Epley Band Building, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701


15. Videos and other materials submitted may not be returned at the option of the Sousa Foundation. The applicant grants the Sousa Foundation the privilege of making a copy of its video for the Foundation. The applicant agrees that the Sousa Foundation will not be held responsible or liable for loss or damage to the materials or to the video.


Award


1.The Sudler shield award will consist of (1) a silver shield mounted on a handsome 8X11 inch (or larger) wooden plaque for the organization, (2) a miniature plaque for the director, (3) a diploma of honor for the director, and (4) an honor certificate for each member of the band.


2. The presentation of the award to the band will be scheduled at an important musical event and at a time and place convenient to the recipient and others concerned. Other than providing the awards, the Sousa Foundation will not be responsible for any presentation costs.


Administration


1. The Sudler Shield award will be administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation and implemented by the executive committee through the project chair, Professor W. Dale Warren of the University of Arkansas, United States.


The Jury


1. The jury will be nominated by the project chair with the advice and approval of the executive committee.


2. The jury will be composed of not less than ten and not more than twenty-five band directors of national and international reputation in the marching band field.


3. No member of the jury, the Sousa Foundation, nor other persons will receive any renumeration.


Dr. Joseph H. Allison
Director of Research and Outreach
Eastern Kentucky University
Dr. Tim Allshouse 
Director of Bands
Blue Springs High School, Missouri
Greg Bimm
Director of Bands
Marian Catholic High School, Illinois
Brian Britt
Director of Athletic Bands/Associate Dean College of Fine Arts
University of Oklahoma
Dr. Andrea E. Brown
Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands
University of Maryland College Park, MD
Bob Buckner
Director of Athletic Bands
Western Carolina University, North Carolina (retired)
Dr. Shelby Chipman
Director of Bands/Professor of Music
Florida A&M University  Tallahassee, FL
Darrin Davis
Director of Bands
Broken Arrow High School, Oklahoma
Amanda Drinkwater
Director of Fine Arts
Lewisville, Texas Independent School District
Robert “Bob" Eklund
President & CEO
WAMSB International Calgary, Canada
Randy Greenwell
Conn-Selmer, Inc. Division of Education
Education Support Manager, Indiana
Chris Herard
Consultant
Fine and Performing Arts - Calgary Catholic School District
Tang Chia Hoe
Director of Bands
Keat Hwa High School & Sultanah Asma High School Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
Jo Ann Hood 
Director of Bands
John Overton High School, Tennessee (retired)
Uichi Kajiyama
Conductor
Nagoya University of Commerce & Business Symphonic Ensemble         Nagoya, Japan
Dr. Brad McDavid
Director of Athletic Bands
University of Washington
John Miller
Director of Bands 
American Fork High School, Utah (retired)
 Dr. J. Steven Moore
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies 
University of Miami, Florida
Joni Perez
Director of Bands
The Woodlands High School, Texas
 Dr. Eric Peterson 
Director of Bands
Brevard College, North Carolina
 Richard Saucedo
 Director of Bands
Carmel High School, Indiana (retired)
David Starnes
Director of Orchestras
Kennesaw Mountain High School, Georgia
Dr. John Villella
Vice President for University Affairs/Chief of Staff
West Chester University, Pennsylvania
 W. Dale Warren, Chairman
Senior Wind Band Conductor/Professor of Music
University of Arkansas
Alfred Watkins
Director of Bands
Lassiter High School, Georgia (retired)

Sudler Shield Jury Members Emeritus


Keith Bearden 
Director of Marching/Athletic Bands
Texas Tech University (retired) 
Dr. John Culvahouse
Professor of Music Education
Kennesaw State University, Georgia (retired)
Dr. Robert “Coach” Fleming
Associate Director of Bands
Arizona State University (retired)
Gordon Henderson
Director of Bands
University of California at Los Angeles (retired)

Sudler Shield Jury Members at Rest


 ________________________________________________________________________


Dr. John M. Long

Dr. John M. Long was the Director of Bands at Troy State University, Alabama (retired). Dr. Long is remembered and honored by his fellow jury members for his many years of tireless dedication and service to the Sudler Shield Committee and to the John Philip Sousa Foundation.


 ________________________________________________________________________


George N. Parks

George N. Parks was the Director of the Marching Band and Athletic Bands at the University of Massachusetts. Professor Parks is remembered and honored by his fellow jury members for his many years of tireless dedication and service to the Sudler Shield Committee and to the John Philip Sousa Foundation.


 ________________________________________________________________________


Dr. Jon R. Woods

Dr. Jon R. Woods was the Director of the Marching Band and Athletic Bands at The Ohio State University. Dr. Woods is remembered and honored by his fellow jury members for his many years of tireless dedication and service to the Sudler Shield Committee and to the John Philip Sousa Foundation.


Previous Recipients of the Sudler Shield Award


Name of Band Director
Band Name
City,State/ Country
Year

Enterprise High School Band
Enterprise, Alabama
1987
Federal Hocking High School Band
Stewart, Ohio
1987
Mountain Crest High School Band
Hyram, Utah
1987
Tenri Seminary High School Band
Nara, Japan
1987
Cambridge High School Band
Cambridge, Ohio
1988
Clovis High School Band
Clovis, California
1988
John Overton High School Band
Nashville, Tennessee
1988
Godwin High School Band
Richmond, Virginia
1989
Grove City High School Band
Grove City, Ohio
1989
Manzano High School Band
Albuquerque, New Mexico
1989
Mt. Juliet High School Band
Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
1989
Neuces Canyon High School Band
Barksdale, Texas
1989
Newton Local High School Band
Pleasant Hill, Ohio
1989
Norwin Sr. High School Band
North Huntington, Pennsylvania
1989
Clinton High School Band
Clinton, Mississippi
1990
Lafayette High School Band
Lexington, Kentucky
1991
Coronado High School Band
El Paso, Texas
1992
John Overton High School Band
Nashville, Tennessee
1992
North Hardin High School Band
Radcliff, Kentucky
1992
Pope High School Band
Marietta, Georgia
1992
Fred C. Beyer High School Band
Modesto, California
1993
Sumter High School Band
Sumter, South Carolina
1993
McGavock High School Band
Nashville, Tennessee
1994
Paul Lawerence Dunbar High School Band
Lexington, Kentucky
1996
Marian Catholic High School Band
Chicago Heights, Illinois
1997
Duncanville High School Band
Duncanville, Texas
1998
Lafayette High School Band
Lexington, Kentucky
1998
Lassiter High School Band
Marietta, Georgia
1998
Pupuk Kaltim School Band
Bontang Kaltim, Indonesia
1998
Broken Arrow High School Band
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
1999
Harrison County High School Band
Cynthiana, Kentucky
1999
Westfield High School Band
Spring, Texas
1999
Aimachi Marching Band
Handa City, Japan
2000
Lawrence Central High School Band
Indianapolis, Indiana
2000
James F. Byrnes High School Band
Duncan, South Carolina
2001
Kashiwa City High School Marching Band
Kashiwa City, Japan
2002
Kennesaw Mt. High School Marching Band
Kennesaw, Georgia
2002
Yokohama Marching Band
Yokohama, Japan
2002
Allen High School Band
Allen, Texas
2003
Seminole High School Band
Seminole, Florida
2003
Collins High School Band
Suwanee, Georgia
2004
L.D. Bell High School Band
Hurst, Texas
2004
Owasso High School Band
Owasso, Oklahoma
2004
James Bowie High School Band
Austin, Texas
2005
K & G Leiden Marching & Show Band
Leiden, The Netherlands
2005
Paul Lawerence Dunbar High School Band
Lexington, Kentucky
2005
Ronald Reagan High School Band
San Antonio, Texas
2005
Cedar Park High School Band
Cedar Park, Texas
2006
Langham Creek High School Band
Houston, Texas
2006
Jay Webb
Avon High School Marching Band
Avon, Indiana
2007
Marcus High School Marching Band
Flower Mound, Texas
2007
Broken Arrow High School Band
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
2008
Coppell High School Band
Coppell, Texas
2008
Musica Grato High School Band
Himi Toyama-Ken, Japan
2008
Tarpon Springs High School Band
Tarpon Springs, Florida
2008
Chonkanyanukoon High School Band
Amphur Muang Chonburi, Thailand
2009
American Fork High School Band
American Fork, Utah
2009
Mike Back
Walton High School Band
Marietta, Georgia
2009
The Woodlands High School Band
The Woodlands, Texas
2009
Andy Sealy
Hebron High School Band
Carrollton, Texas
2010
Kerry Taylor
Westlake High School Band 
Austin, Texas
2010
Sultanah Asma High School Band
Alor Setar Kedah, Malaysia
2011
Steve Barber
Homestead High School Band
Fort Wayne, Indiana
2011
William Mason High School Band
Mason, Ohio
2011
Carmel High School Band
Carmel, Indiana
2012
Evelio Villareal
Plano East Senior High School Band
Plano, Texas
2012
Blue Springs High School Band  
Blue Springs, Missouri
2013
Calgary Stampede Showband  
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
2013
Kim Shuttlesworth
James Bowie High School Band  
Austin, Texas
2013
Kanagawa Prefecture Shonandai High School Band  
Fujisawa-Shi Kanagawa, Japan
2013
Jarret Lipman
Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Band
San Antonio, Texas
2014
Lafe Cook
Dobyns-Bennett High School Band
Kingsport, Tennessee
2014
David Aydelott
Franklin High School Band
Franklin, Tennessee
2014
David Mobely
Round Rock High School Band
Round Rock, Texas
2014
Broken Arrow High School Band
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
2015
Mark McGahey
Keller High School Band
Keller, Texas
2015
Curtis Ervin
Russell County HS Band*
Russell Springs, Kentucky
2016
Donald Wade
Vista Murrieta HS Band
Murrieta, California
2016
Tom Dean
Castle HS Band
Newburgh, Indiana
2016
Chien Kuo Senior HS Band
Taipei City, Taiwan
2016
Keat Hwa Secondary School Band
Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
2016
Tom Reifenberg
Greendale High School Band*
Greendale, Wisconsin
2017
Morton High School Band*
Morton, Illinois
2017
Brent Biskup
Flower Mound High School Band
Flower Mound, Texas
2017
Bryan Christian
Vista Ridge High School Band
Cedar Park, Texas
2017
Tom Case
Adair County High School Band* 
Columbia, Kentucky
2018
Randy Jones
North Lamar High School Band*  
Paris, Texas
2018
Chris Kreke
Carmel High School Band  
Carmel, Indiana
2018
The Woodlands High School Band  
The Woodlands, Texas
2018
Chris Brannan
Mineola High School Band*
Mineola, Texas
2019
Mike Howard
Vandegrift High School Band
Austin, Texas
2019

Sudler Shield Award Photographs


2019 Adair County, KY Sudler Shield Presentation Photographs



2019 The Woodlands, TX Sudler Shield Presentation Photographs



2019 Carmel, IN Sudler Shield Presentation Photographs



2019 North Lamar, TX Sudler Shield Presentation Photographs



2018 Vista Ridge, TX Sudler Shield Presentation Photographs



2018 Flower Mound Sudler Shield Presentation Photographs



2018 Greendale Sudler Shield Presentation



2018 Morton Sudler Shield Presentation Pics for Website



2017 Vista Murrieta, CA Sudler Shield Award Concert Photographs



2016 Russell County, KY Award Photographs



2016 Castle, IN HS Sudler Shield Award Photographs



2016 Keat Hwa, Malaysia Sudler Shield Presentation Photographs



2016 Chien Kuo, Taiwan Sudler Shield Presentation Photographs



2015 Broken Arrow, OK Sudler Shield Presentation Photographs



2015 Keller, Texas Sudler Shield Presentation Photographs



2014, CT Johnson High School, TX, Sudler Shield Award Presentation Photographs



2014, Round Rock High School, TX, Sudler Shield Award Presentation Photographs