White Oak High School Band

The White Oak Band Staff would like to announce that the EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY MARCHING PIRATES will be performing in Exhibition at the 16th Annual White Oak Band Classic on Saturday, October 12, 2013!! To learn more about the Marching Pirates, please check out their website by clicking HERE.

To learn more about the White Oak Band Classic, please click HERE.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2012 - On Friday, December 14, 2012, members of the White Oak High School Band presented gifts to the Salvation Army, as a part of the band’s annual Adopt-A-Family tradition. Each year, the band decides to give back to those in need by helping out a family in the Jacksonville community through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program. Through the help of monetary and gift donations presented by parents and students in excess of $1,000, the band was able to provide gifts and financial support to its selected family, which consisted of 2 adults and 4 children (ages 18 months, 3, 4, and 9), during this holiday season. This program, which is completely student-led, is one of the traditions the band is most proud of each year, and it is something that continues to follow with students years after their time with the band has passed, as a result of their participation.

All of the staff and band students would like to thank everyone who helped contribute to this year’s Adopt-A-Family and its success!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2012 - On Saturday, November 3, 2012, the White Oak High School Marching Vikings participated in the 2012 Crystal Coast Band Classic at Havelock High School in Havelock, NC. The band performed in the preliminary competition, and as a result of their high scoring performance, they were invited to compete in the finals round later that evening. Overall, the students ended up placing fifth in finals, which is the best the band has ever scored in a state-sanctioned marching band competition. In addition to placing fifth in finals, the band also received the following awards during the preliminary round:

3rd Place Drum Major - Class 4A

1st Place Visual Ensemble - Class 4A

3rd Place Percussion - Class 4A

2nd Place Visual Performance - Class 4A

3rd Place General Effect - Class 4A

2nd Place Overall - Class 4A

If it were not for the students’ success and focus earlier in the season, during camp and school rehearsals, we would have not been able to end on such a great note this year. Congratulations! Marching Vikings on such a great season. Special thanks is given to all of the Band Booster volunteers who also helped throughout the season. Without you, our band program would not be able to do half of the things we do on an annual basis!

To catch a video of the Marching Vikings performance, please visit our Video page.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 - On Friday, November 9, 2012, members of the White Oak High School and Northside High School bands came together to help commemorate the Freedom Fountain, located in downtown Jacksonville. As a part of the city's commemoration ceremony, members in the band prepared and performed music featuring the hymns of the Armed Services, along with the National Anthem. Students were also given the opportunity to be an important part of the ceremony, when they were allowed to pour the vile of water they were given into the Freedom Fountain, and to take a sample of the water back with them as a memento to remind them of the ceremony and their participation. Special thanks to Glenn Hargett and John Tyson, Director of Bands at Northside HS, for making this experience possible for our students.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012 - On Saturday, October 13, 2012, the White Oak High School Band Boosters hosted the 15th annual White Oak Band Classic. The competition was graced with the presence of beautiful weather, which allowed the 20 bands that traveled from across North Carolina to have a wonderful experience and to share their musical talents with others. As a part of the event, the NC State University Marching Band, "The Power Sound of the South," performed in exhibition at both of the awards ceremonies. All 350 members of the marching band did an amazing job, which was graciously enjoyed by all the participating bands and the audience in the stands. We would like to thank Dr. Paul Garcia, his staff, and the students for taking the time to come and perform for our community.

The White Oak High School Band Boosters would also like to thank all of the bands, students, parents, volunteers, and spectators who were involved in this event. We contribute all of our success to your help and participation!

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2012 - Students from the White Oak High School Band participated in the 2012 NC Bandmasters Eastern District Solo & Ensemble Music Performance Adjudication at the East Carolina University School of Music in Greenville, NC. Since the end of March, students were preparing for this event through the band program’s Chamber Music Project, where all of the students worked to prepare a piece of music as a soloist or small group. The following students participated in the event, either a soloist, ensemble, or both, and received the following rating:

Kayla Cooney - Superior

Mersedes Allen - Superior

Nora Nelson - Superior

Emily Zinicola - Superior

Chris Denise - Excellent (Solo & Group)

Joy Freeman - Superior

Diamond Thomas - Superior

Kim Masters - Superior

Ty Matson - Superior

Derek Wilson - Superior

Rose Dennison - Excellent

Laura Edgell - Excellent

Shayna Holmes - Excellent

Carly Legg - Excellent (Group), Superior (Solo)

Ah-lan Naihe - Excellent (Group), Superior (Solo)

Karoline Shannon - Excellent

Nestor Murillo - Excellent

Trey Riley - Excellent

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012 - The White Oak High School Freshman Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble participated in the 2012 North Carolina Bandmasters Eastern District Music Performance Adjudication on Thursday, March 15th, and Friday, March 18th, at Havelock High School in Havelock, NC. As a part of this event, each band performed three selections of music, a march and two contrasting pieces, and sight-read a piece of music, while being adjudicated by judges from across NC and the United States. All of the bands this year were given a rating of “Superior,” which is something that has not taken place in the band since 2003. Please congratulate all of our students for receiving such high marks on their performances.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012 - Three members of the White Oak High School Band, Laura Edgell, Justin Davis, and Matt Siemion, made the North Carolina Bandmasters Eastern All-District Band after auditioning on Saturday, January 7, 2012. These students participated in the All-District Band Clinic at East Carolina University this weekend, where they rehearsed with students from across the east to prepare a concert, which took place at the end of the clinic. Justin was the fourth chair percussionist in the 9/10 High School Band Laura was the tenth chair Flute and Matt was the second chair Tuba in the 11/12 High School Band. For placing second, Matt is eligible to audition for the NC All-State Honors Band on March 10th. All of the students worked extremely hard to prepare a wonderful concert of challenging music literature, along with guest clinicians Ashley Wright (9/10 Band), Director at East Carteret High School, and Julie Giroux (11/12 Band), who is a music composer that commissioned a piece for her band through the financial support of the NCBA Eastern District. 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 - Sixteen members of the White Oak High School Band (listed below) participated in the Onslow All-County Band Clinic on Friday, January 27, and Saturday, January 28, 2012, at Northside High School. White Oak students were joined by students from across Onslow County to prepare a concert under the direction of guest clinician, Dr. John LaCognata, who is the Director of Bands at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in Wilmington, NC. The band provided a great concert with only twelve hours of rehearsal at the end of clinic.

Michael Barber - French Horn

Jordan Smith - French Horn

Shelby Barks - Clarinet

JoAnn Hopkins - Clarinet

Elizabeth Neal - Clarinet

Megan Kellum - Flute

Kim Masters - Flute

Chase Vallery - Trumpet

Neil Kellie - Baritone

Donald Pierce - Percussion

Matt Siemion - Tuba

Nick Dougherty - Trombone

Ty Matson - Trombone

Derek Wilson - Alto Saxophone

Bri Trumble - Alto Saxophone

Matt McGarr - Alto Saxophone