Morganton, NC – Monday, Feb. 27, 2023
Patton High School Band Director Chad Higdon has received the Award of Excellence by the Northwest District of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association. The award was bestowed on Higdon at the recent All District Honor Band Clinic.
The Award of Excellence was established in 1980, and is a very prestigious honor. There have only been 17 high school band directors in the Northwest District who have received this award in the past 43 years. Burke County has only had three prior directors, Kathryn Siphers, Linda Noe and Wynn Justice.
Higdon said, "I am very honored to receive this award and to have my name beside such wonderful teachers, mentors, and friends. I will also have the honor to conduct the 9-12 honor band at the 2024 All District Band Clinic. Thank you for all of the support for the band programs in Burke County. Without your support, music education of this caliber would not be possible.”
Award of Excellence nomination requirements include being an active or recently retired member in good standing with the bandmasters association; having a program of excellence; displaying a consistent record of Superior Ratings at MPA; displaying outstanding success in many critical areas of education that may include teaching skills, musicianship, leadership and consistent high level of performance by ensembles; showing a consistent pattern of service to the bandmasters association; being in the NW District for at least seven years; being thought of among his or her colleagues as a “top quality” teacher, director and person.
Higdon is a graduate of Appalachian State University and has been at Patton for 13 years. He has also taught at Andrews High School in Cherokee and was the assistant band director to Wynn Justice at Freedom High School from 1998 to 2000.