Many of our Dodgen band students are recognized throughout the year for outstanding achievement in instrumental music.  The areas for recognition are outlined below.

Students have the opportunity to earn a seat in the GMEA District 12 Honor Band and the GMEA All-State Band through an audition process.  The audition consists of performing three chromatically adjacent major scales from memory plus the chromatic scale for the full range of the student's instrument from memory.  In addition to scales, students must successfully sightread two musical samples which are written in contrasting styles. Students performing in one or both of these groups will earn a GMEA medal.

In April, the GMEA sponsors a Solo & Ensemble Festival where students have the opportunity to perform as a soloist or as a member of a small ensemble (duet, trio, quartet, quintet, etc.)  Students wishing to participate need to pay all required fees by the deadline posted on the Dodgen Band Schedule.  Preparation needs to begin before the winter holidays by selecting music and rehearsing with other members in the ensemble.  Students awarded the rating of superior (I) or Excellent (II) will earn a GMEA medal.  Those receiving ratings of Good (III), Fair (IV), or Poor (V) will not earn medals.

Each year during the last week of school, band students are recognized for their achievements at an awards ceremony and reception which takes place during the school day and during the student's regularly schedule exploratory time.  The list below reflects the awards students can earn.  One award is presented in each category for each grade level band.  Perfect attendance at all scheduled  performances is one of the criteria for awards eligibility in this category.