Congratulations to the following schools for meeting the requirements for the William E. Richardson Program of Distinction Award for the 2021-2022 school year. This award is presented annually to qualifying schools by ABODA.
Mountain View-Mesa HS Orchestra – Walter Temme, Bethany Cross – Directors
Desert Vista HS Orchesta – Darlene Wedington-Clark – Director
Campo Verde HS Orchestra – Crystal Payne – Director
Dobson HS Orchestra – Rob Lubbers – Director
Mountain View-Mesa HS Band – Adam Risch, Steven Thuneman – Directors
Boulder Creek HS Band – James O’Halloran – Director
Desert Ridge HS Band – Stephanie Campbell – Director
Peoria HS Band – Jeffrey Malone – Director
About the award…….
William E. Richardson came to Arizona from South Bend, Indiana. He built the instrumental music program at both Pueblo High School and Palo Verde High School in Tucson where he retired as the Band Director. Mr. Richardson had outstanding programs that excelled in all areas.
The William E. Richardson Award recognizes High School Band and Orchestra programs in our state that have a high level of achievement in all areas for a given school year. This is an annual award presented at the school, recognizing the school’s program for their achievement during the previous year.
To qualify for this prestigious award, a program must meet the following criteria:
Band
- A superior rating by at least one ensemble from the school must be achieved in each area:
- Area Concert Festival
- Area Jazz Festival
- State Concert Festival
- State Jazz Festival
- The program must qualify for participation at the Arizona State Marching Band Semifinals.
- The program must have participation in the AMEA Solo & Ensemble Competition.
- The program must have participation in the Arizona All-State Band and/or All-State Jazz Band.
Orchestra
- A superior rating by at least one ensemble from the school must be achieved in each area:
- Fall Orchestra Festival
- Area Concert Festival
- State Concert Festival
- The program must have participation in the AMEA Solo & Ensemble Competition.
- The program must have participation in the Arizona All-State Orchestra