2007 Marching Charger program features work of acclaimed American composer

Posted Thursday, September 6, 2007

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Pittsboro, NC - Student musicians comprising the Northwood High School Marching Chargers attended the school band camp August 13-24 to prepare their new 2007 competition program entitled, “American Anthems: The Music of Morton Gould.” The program is in divided into three movements-Star Spangled Overture, Amber Waves, and American Salute [When Johnny Comes Marching Home].

Thirteen new musicians join the band this year. An additional fifty-one students are returning members from the 2006 season. The color guard includes six veterans and four new members enhancing the performance with choreographed flag routines and interpretive dance. Senior Britney Kidd takes up the baton as Northwood's new drum major. Eugene Cottrell directs the band and created the drill [marching routine] for this year's program. Casey Spillman, the new band instructor at Horton Middle School, assists during band camp and at competitions.

Performances for the band include not only home football games, but also a season of regional marching band competitions.
Home Football Game Performances
9/7-Lee County
9/21-Carrboro
10/5-Graham [Homecoming]
10/12-Cummings [Senior Band Night]
10/26-Cedar Ridge
Competition Schedule
9/22-Dixie Classic, George Washington High School, Danville, VA
9/29-Mid-Atlantic Contest of Champions, Myrtle Beach High School, Myrtle Beach, SC
10/20-Central NC Band Festival, Western Alamance High School, Elon
10/27-Brick Capital Classic, Lee County High, Sanford
11/3- TBA

All members of the community are invited to join the Northwood Band Boosters, created to support the school instrumental music program. Meetings are held the second Monday evening of every month. Visit the band's website and the band's online shop

A Short Sketch of Morton Gould
Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Morton Gould (1913-1996) wrote orchestral works, and composed for Broadway, ballet, film and television. A piano prodigy, he received a scholarship at age eight to attend the Institute of Musical Arts [Julliard] in New York. He was named staff pianist for the opening of Radio City Music Hall in 1931. Like Copeland and Ives, his compositions often utilized American themes and incorporated quintessential American styles such as jazz, folk, and gospel. He was also a celebrated conductor, leading not only major American orchestras, but those of Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, and Australia. He received the Pulitzer Prize for his 1995 composition, Stringmusic, as well as a 1994 Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime contributions to American culture.