History: North Henderson High School Band Program
Opened in 1993, North Henderson High School began with Mr. Gerald Ledford at the helm of the band program. The band received the school's first "Superior" ratings at the North Carolina Concert Band Festival in 1994 and 1995. Mr. Ledford also maintained active Marching and Jazz bands during his tenure, with the marching band winning multiple yearly awards for their efforts. In 2004 Mr. Ledford chose to focus on teaching middle school students full time at Apple Valley Middle School, instead of splitting his time between Apple Valley and North Henderson, as he had done for the previous 11 years.
In 2008, following a four year span that saw the band program at North Henderson shrink to an enrollment of only six students, Mr. Steve Sigmon was hired to point the band in a new direction.
In the Fall of 2008 the marching band was re-formed with 24 members, and the concert and jazz bands were established with enrollments of 32 and 14 respectively. The 2008-2009 school year saw the North Henderson Bands achieve the first "Superior" rating at the State Music Performance Assessment since 1995, the first marching awards in a four year span, the school's first "Superior" rating for jazz performance, and completed a full program trip to Disney World - competing as a parade unit in the school's first regional festival since 2002. In the first three years of the program’s new beginning, the concert band received superior ratings in grades III, IV/V, and VI in successive years.
Since its re-birth, the band has grown from the original 32 members to an enrollment of 126. The Program now offers Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Winterguard, and AP Music Theory. They have performed in National music festivals in many U.S. cities, including in Chicago’s Symphony Hall. In addition, the North Henderson Wind Ensemble has been chosen to perform at the North Carolina Music Educators’ Association In-Service Conference twice (2013, 2017).
The Marching Knights have grown from their original 24 members to a State and Regionally competitive band of 76. Over the past ten years they have won multiple Grand Championships, enjoyed a multi-year unbeaten streak within their own class, and have been finalists at multiple large regional marching events; including a Bands of America Regional, Western Carolina University Tournament of Champions, and BandBeat by Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps.
The Jazz Band has also enjoyed success in the same time span, receiving “superior” ratings at NC Jazz MPA and other jazz festivals.
North Henderson students consistently earn placements in the All-County, All-District and All-State Honor Bands, and have earned many “superior” ratings and “Best in room” designations at the Western North Carolina Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students from the North Henderson band currently hold positions in many University bands across North Carolina and the U.S., and some are now Music Educators in our State.
Opened in 1993, North Henderson High School began with Mr. Gerald Ledford at the helm of the band program. The band received the school's first "Superior" ratings at the North Carolina Concert Band Festival in 1994 and 1995. Mr. Ledford also maintained active Marching and Jazz bands during his tenure, with the marching band winning multiple yearly awards for their efforts. In 2004 Mr. Ledford chose to focus on teaching middle school students full time at Apple Valley Middle School, instead of splitting his time between Apple Valley and North Henderson, as he had done for the previous 11 years.
In 2008, following a four year span that saw the band program at North Henderson shrink to an enrollment of only six students, Mr. Steve Sigmon was hired to point the band in a new direction.
In the Fall of 2008 the marching band was re-formed with 24 members, and the concert and jazz bands were established with enrollments of 32 and 14 respectively. The 2008-2009 school year saw the North Henderson Bands achieve the first "Superior" rating at the State Music Performance Assessment since 1995, the first marching awards in a four year span, the school's first "Superior" rating for jazz performance, and completed a full program trip to Disney World - competing as a parade unit in the school's first regional festival since 2002. In the first three years of the program’s new beginning, the concert band received superior ratings in grades III, IV/V, and VI in successive years.
Since its re-birth, the band has grown from the original 32 members to an enrollment of 126. The Program now offers Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Winterguard, and AP Music Theory. They have performed in National music festivals in many U.S. cities, including in Chicago’s Symphony Hall. In addition, the North Henderson Wind Ensemble has been chosen to perform at the North Carolina Music Educators’ Association In-Service Conference twice (2013, 2017).
The Marching Knights have grown from their original 24 members to a State and Regionally competitive band of 76. Over the past ten years they have won multiple Grand Championships, enjoyed a multi-year unbeaten streak within their own class, and have been finalists at multiple large regional marching events; including a Bands of America Regional, Western Carolina University Tournament of Champions, and BandBeat by Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps.
The Jazz Band has also enjoyed success in the same time span, receiving “superior” ratings at NC Jazz MPA and other jazz festivals.
North Henderson students consistently earn placements in the All-County, All-District and All-State Honor Bands, and have earned many “superior” ratings and “Best in room” designations at the Western North Carolina Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students from the North Henderson band currently hold positions in many University bands across North Carolina and the U.S., and some are now Music Educators in our State.