In the fall of 2000, when we opened Wakefield High School, the band program consisted of a mere 40 students. Today, with the support of very dedicated students, band boosters, instructional staff, and administrators, the program supports music education for over 200 students. This comprehensive band program consists of an auditioned Wind Ensemble, two Concert Bands, a Marching Band, a Symphonic Band for non-marchers, four Winter Guards, a Winter Percussion ensemble, two Jazz Bands, various chamber ensembles and an AP Music Theory program. The program is currently under the direction of Joshua K Potter.

 

The band program has been built on a student centered principle and environment. The elected student Band Council provides guidance to the director and boosters as to the direction of growth of the program as well as leadership for the other student members of the bands. In addition, these students provide many of the day-to-day operational services for the band program.   

 

Since its inception the Wakefield HS Band program has earned Superior Ratings and First Place Awards in numerous Marching Band Contests, Winter Guard Contests and at the North Carolina Central District Bandmaster Association’s Concert Festival. The Marching Band travels throughout North Carolina each fall performing and competing. Beginning in 2003 with a trip to Giants Stadium in New Jersey where it was crowned the USSBA All-Class Grand Champion, it has had a goal to travel to a national event each year. Since that time the band has began participating in Bands of America Regional Championship events. In 2006 and 2008, Wakefield was one of only four North Carolina groups to earn finalist status at a BOA event. The band performed for the North Carolina Governor’s Inaugural in January 2005. It was one of only two high school bands to receive an invitation to perform at the 2005 NC Music Educator’s Conference. 

 

The Winter Guards are active in Atlantic Indoor Association and Winter Guard International events. The Maroon Guard is a WGI Regional Finalist and AIA Circuit Medalists. In 2006, the WHS Maroon Winter Guard became the first guard from Wake County to make Finals at World Championships where they finished 13th. In 2008, they placed in the top three at all three WGI Regional Championships they attended, winning the Connecticut Regional and Tampa Power Regional. At WGI World Championships they finished 4th in the nation and have been promoted to Open Class. The Silver Guard was a 2006 and 2008 AIA Circuit Silver medalists, a 2007 Bronze Medalist,  and has earned finalist status at every WGI Regional event it has attended. 

 

In 2008-2009, the Wakefield Bands was the only band program to have three different ensembles perform at the NC Music Performance Adjudication and have all three ensembles receive Superior ratings.

 

Students from the bands consistently place in the Central District All-District Bands and the North Carolina All-State Honor Bands. Several Band Alumni are now working on music degrees in colleges and universities as well as performing with ensembles across the United States.   

 

The Wakefield Bands is active in hosting many local and regional events each year. With the help of many wonderful student and parent volunteers, the program has hosted the Heart of Carolina Marching Band Invitational for six years, the WinterBlast! Winter Guard and Winter Percussion competition for nine years, the NC Central District Middle School Concert Band Festival for two years and the NC Central District High School Concert Band Festival for three years.      

 

We credit our successes to a focus on three simple, yet effective, goals that have served our purposes from the very beginning with 40 students, to today, with over 200. After each performance and from rehearsal to rehearsal, we take time for self-evaluation with regards to these three goals. If we successfully meet these three goals, than we can consider our performance a success, regardless of how a given panel of adjudicators may rank or rate us.