Morganton – A Burke County high school band director was recently honored with the Award of Excellence by the N.C. Bandmasters Association.
Chad Higdon, director of the Patton High School Panther Regiment, was given the award of excellence at the All-District Honor Band Clinic and becomes only the fourth Burke County band director to receive the honor. Higdon is only the 18th recipient of the award, which was established in 1980.
Higdon, a former band director at Andrews High School, said it was a great honor to receive the award.
“I am very honored to receive this award and to have my name beside such wonderful teachers, mentors and friends,” he said. “I will also have the honor to conduct the 9-12 honor band at the 2024 All-District Band Clinic.”
The award is given every year to a band director who “salute the musical excellence of band directors of the Northwest District N.C. Bandmasters Association.” Criteria includes:
- Directing a program of excellence and providing students with many and varied performance;
- Displaying consistent Superior ratings at musical performance assessments;
- Outstanding success in education such as teaching skills, musicianship, leadership and consistent high level of performance;
- A consistent pattern of service to the NWDBA;
- Thought of among their colleagues as a “top quality” teacher, director and person.
As the recipient of the award, Higdon received an engraved plaque and letters of congratulations, in addition to an invitation to conduct the honor band at the All-District Band Clinic in 2024.