G. Edward Nelson Award 

$300
G. Edward Nelson was a former band director at East Aurora High School. This award is in dedication to him and the legacy he left at EAHS. This award is for a band student who has shown dedication to the program and to the betterment of music performance.
Marlene Valdez
Marlene has been a model tomcat and musician during her time at EA. She’s shown great responsibility and interest in school which making her a reliable and dedicated student. In band, she’s participated in solo and ensemble, receive division 1 both times, was a driving force in the color guard, and was in incredible positive energy to have in class. Outside of band, Marlene was involved in Science National Honor Society, Volleyball, and National Honor Society. After graduating, Marlene will attend Aurora University majoring in exercise science and potentially athletic training with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.

G. Edward Nelson Award 

$300
G. Edward Nelson was a former band director at East Aurora High School. This award is in dedication to him and the legacy he left at EAHS. This award is for a band student who has shown dedication to the program and to the betterment of music performance.
Janet Lozoya
Janet has been committed to improving her abilities since the day she joined the program. She decided she wanted to join band without any prior musical experience, which is HIGHLY unusual and almost never results in student success - Janet is the exception to the rule. She sought out private lessons and worked hard every day for years to advance from an absolute beginner to a stellar member of the Wind Ensemble trombone section. After graduating from EA, she will either be attending University of Illinois for Civil Engineering or Aurora University for Education.

She has been a leader in every aspect of the EA Band - musically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you for your hard work, Janet!

Audra Lynn Cramer Memorial Scholarship

$300
Audra Lynn Cramer was an East Aurora High School Band member who passed away in the 90's. A scholarship was set up in her honor to go to students who were talented musicians and leaders of the band program. 
Livia Byrne
Livia was a stand out flute player her freshman year at East Aurora High School - AND THEN SHE WENT TO IMSA! But fortunately for us (not so much for IMSA) she came back to East her Junior. She was always a hard worker and a really strong member of the flute section and band program in general. Coming back her junior year she auditioned directly into Wind Ensemble and also won the audition for a solo in the marching show that year. Even though she was never officially held a leadership title in the band program, she led by example. Knowing her part, being on time, and doing her best helped set that example for other students. Congratulations Livia and good luck on her future endeavors.

Director's Award

$300
This award is presented to a graduating senior who has shown themselves to be extremely dedicated and loyal to the mission of the East Aurora Band Program.
Soleil Gonzalez
Soleil has been a hard working member of the band and a model tomcat for all four years at East. She wasn't the kind of student who shows up and is instantly first chair in Wind Ensemble without any effort, she has had to work hard every day to advance her way up through the ranks into Wind Ensemble, and her hard work has paid off. She has been a STRONG leader in the Marching Band, making a huge impact on the younger members of the flute section and always making sure that her section was number one. She is kind and helpful to everyone she meets, and her positive presence will be missed!

Charles Ponquinette Leadership Award

$300
The Charles Ponquinette Leadership Award is presented to a graduating senior who has shown exceptional leadership and musicianship in their four years.
Vanessa Melara
Vanessa was an easy choice for this award. She masterfully led one of the most successful sections of the marching band and was a strong player in every musical situation. It can be hard to excel in a section as large as the flutes, but she credits some early solo opportunities in concert band as  giving her the drive to improve - and improve she did! After graduating East Aurora, she will be attending Aurora University for a degree in Social Work, and will then seek a Master's Degree to further specialize in Medical Social Work.

Thank you for your hard work Vanessa, your legacy will live on through the strength of the younger flutes whose lives you have touched.

Woody Herman Jazz Award

$200
The Woody Herman Jazz Award is the runner up to the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award at East Aurora High School. Recipients of this award must have been a part of a jazz ensemble in their four years of high school. The recipient of this award has shown tremendous dedication, growth, and passion in the world of jazz.
Alan Terrazas
Alan Terrazas has been the Bari Sax player in the EA Jazz Ensemble for the past two years. It would have been three, but, you know, Covid. Alan has grown so much in his playing over his four years at East Aurora High School and grew a lot as a jazz musician. He is a quite student but can make a big sound on the bari. He is the foundational support for the jazz sax line. Alan was at every gig, ready to play, often helping set up and tear down the equipment. He was a very responsible member of the group and somebody I could always count on. Congratulations Alan. I hope you keep playing in college and beyond.

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

$300
The Louis Armstrong award is the top Jazz award at East Aurora High School. Recipients of this award must have been a part of a jazz ensemble in their four years of high school. The recipient of this award has shown tremendous dedication, growth, and passion in the world of jazz.
Gustavo Barba
Gus has been an anchor in the jazz program throughout his entire high school experience. He's participated in both Latin Jazz and Jazz Ensemble. He's spent countless hours rehearsing, practicing, and lugging equipment to ensure the performances are alway successful. He's grown so much as a percussionist in this field, becoming an extremely fluent and curious performer in both jazz and latin styles. Gustavo plans to attend NIU as a major in percussion performance, which continue to feed his love for these styles of percussion performance. 

Patrick S. Gilmore Award

$400
The Patrick S Gilmore award is the runner up award to the John Philips Sousa award. The recipient of this award has shown excellence in music performance and went above-and-beyond in the band program at East Aurora High School. These recipients ofter participate in multiple ensembles, is a natural leader in playing and musical expression, and has a deep and devoted passion for music and music performance.
Gustavo Barba
Gustavo has received this award due to his dedication to both the band program and dedication to his passion for music. Gus has been involved in all performance opportunities possible at EA including: percussion ensemble, wind ensemble, all jazz bands, talent show, solo and ensemble, and jazz combo. Beyond the EA opportunities, Gus plays in a local band, has participated in WGI, and has taken every opportunity to learn from other teachers and performers in the music community. He encompasses everything desired in a musician, tomcat, and student. 

John Philip Sousa Award

$500
This award is given to the top senior band member who best exemplifies the categories of discipline, leadership, commitment, responsibility and musicianship. This is the highest award given to a band member and consists of a framed certificate and a cash award. The recipient’s name is also engraved on a perpetual plaque that is kept at East High School.

Jennifer Brewer
Jennifer Brewer is an outstanding Alto Sax player and an incredibly generous student leader of the East Aurora Band Program. When I say leader, I mean in the traditional sense, as she was a member of Wind Ensemble and a Drum Major, but also in the non-traditional sense of leading by example. You would always find Jennifer he the practice rooms of the music wing working on her part for not just her curricular ensembles, but her extra-curricular ensembles as well. She was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Solo & Ensemble, Pit Orchestra, and more. Notes and Rhythms were always right, but that wasn't enough, she wanted the proper articulation, dynamics, and expression of whatever she was playing. Jennifer has the true heart of a musician and I know she will continue to play and grow in college. Congratulations Jennifer, best of luck, and keep playing.