The Fossil Ridge High School band program received a nomination for the Sudler Flag of Honor, an international band program award. “It truly is the most prestigious award you can get as a high school band program,” the band director of FRHS Dan Berard said.

This honor is through the John Philip Sousa Foundation, which is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the promotion of international understanding through the medium of band music. The Sudler Flag of Honor is an honor that is extremely difficult to earn. To even be considered for the Sudler Flag of Honor bands must meet a series of requirements:

1. The band must have achieved and maintained a high standard of excellence in the concert area over a period of several years
2. The concert band will have placed itself in situations where there has been opportunity for evaluation by qualified persons or has been rated “superior” at state, regional, or national levels in concert activities
3. It must offer its participants a complete and balanced program of musical activities including concert, solo, ensemble, and marching areas
4. The band should have performed at regional, state, national, and professional meetings of significance. These can include but are not limited to state music conventions, regional or national MENC meetings, and state or national band association conventions
5. The director must have been incumbent in his/her position for at least seven years, including the current year
6. A number of the students in the band should have participated in district and all-state honor bands or similar all-area groups.

As well as meeting all of these hefty requirements, the band program must submit materials for the evaluation process:

1. Concert programs covering the previous three or more years.
2. Recordings from the previous three or more years, including a standard march, a contemporary band work, and an orchestra transcription from the Classical or Romantic period prior to the 20th century.
3. Photographs of the concert and marching band organizations and the director of bands.
4. Press clippings or copies of press clippings and other supporting documents.
5. Written recommendations from three or more band conductors of recognized national reputation who have heard the band perform recently.
6. An information form to be filled out by the conductor for use by the selection committee.
7.  The work the students have done has greatly impressed staff, students and parents. Berard said, “The kids are doing the work, every day they do what we ask them to do and the next day they do it a little better.”

For more information visit the Sudler Flag of Honor website.