John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Cup

Following our Midwest performance, the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band learned that we were selected to receive the John Philips Sousa Foundation “Sudler Cup.” The Sudler Cup’s purpose is to identify, recognize and honor junior high school and middle school concert band programs that have demonstrated particularly significant high standards of excellence in concert activities over a period of several years.

The official description of a deserving band is:

The band must have achieved and maintained a high standard of literature in the concert area over a period of several years. 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. 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. The director must have been incumbent in his/her position for at least seven years, including the current year. A number of the students in the band should have participated in district and all-state honor bands or similar all-area groups. The total program of music should exemplify what is considered a sound viable, music education program for this level of endeavor.

The award has only been given 29 times (now 30) since its inception in 1983. We are the only band to receive the Sudler Cup in 2006 and the first Illinois band to receive this distinctive honor.

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