The Albert J Castronovo Esprit de Corp Award

Last updated
The Al Castronovo
Esprit de Corps Award
Awarded forAn award given to the one band that most exhibits pride, spirit, enthusiasm, friendliness, camaraderie, and unity of purpose for the marching band activity. It is awarded during the Bands of America National Championships
Location Lucas Oil Stadium,
Indianapolis, Indiana
Presented by Bands of America (1978–current)
History
First award1978
Most recentNovember 2024
Broken Arrow High School
Broken Arrow, OK
Website http://www.musicforall.org/

The Albert J. Castronovo Esprit de Corps Award is a special award presented at the Bands of America Grand National Competition. All bands participating in the Grand Nationals are eligible to receive the award regardless of their scores in the competition. The group that most exhibits pride, spirit, enthusiasm, friendliness, camaraderie, and unity of purpose for the marching band activity is selected to receive the award.

Contents

History

The Esprit de Corps Award was first awarded in 1978. It was later renamed the "Al Castronovo Esprit de Corps Award" in 1987 after his death. Since then, one band has received the award at each year's Grand National Championship competition except for 1993 and 2012, when two groups tied and both were presented with the award. The BOA staff, Grand National event staff, and volunteers are asked to nominate a band to receive the award. The BOA executive staff reviews nominees and makes the final selection. Starting in 2016, the family of Al Castronovo has been involved in selecting the winning band and presenting the award.

Albert J. Castronovo

Albert J. Castronovo (1937 - 1986) was a nationally acclaimed bandleader, choreographer, educator and administrator. He was recognized as a pioneer in using amplification and special effects for marching bands. [1] He was also considered an authority in the use of computers for music education, being one of the first to design marching band shows using a computer and plotter. During a teaching career of 25 years, his bands, choirs, orchestras, and jazz bands received 25 consecutive superior ratings at Indiana State Competitions. His marching band at Chesterton High School won seven state championships, four national competitions including the 1981 Marching Bands of America Grand National Championship, [2] and was selected as one of 10 bands to march in President Ronald Reagan’s 1981 Inaugural Parade. [3] He sat on the Bands of America advisory board and was a well-loved teacher by his colleagues and students, alike. He was an inspirational teacher whose ideals embodied the spirit of the Bands of America’s mission to create and provide positive, life-changing experiences through music. The award was named in his honor after his death in 1986.[ citation needed ] In 2024, Al Castronovo was inducted into the Bands of America Hall of Fame.

Al Castronovo Esprit de Corps Award winners

YearSchoolCityState
2024 Broken Arrow High School Broken ArrowOK
2023 William Mason High School MasonOH
2022 DeWitt High School DeWittMI
2021 Mustang High School MustangOK
2019Claudia Taylor Johnson High SchoolSan AntonioTX
2018 Blue Springs High School Blue SpringsMO
2017 Mililani High School MililaniHI
2016 Vista Murrieta High School MurrietaCA
2015 Colony High School (Alaska) PalmerAK
2014 Marian Catholic High School Chicago HeightsIL
2013 Marcus High School Flower MoundTX
2012 (Tie) Bridgewater-Raritan High School BridgewaterNJ
Avon High School AvonIN
2011 Father Ryan High School [4] NashvilleTN
2010 Broken Arrow High School Broken ArrowOK
2009 American Fork High School American ForkUT
2008Vista Murrieta High School [5] MurrietaCA
2007Marian Catholic High SchoolChicago HeightsIL
2006 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park CantonMI
2005 Thousand Oaks High School Thousand OaksCA
2004 Stephen F. Austin High School Sugar LandTX
2003Avon High SchoolAvonIN
2002 Fort Mill High School Fort MillSC
2001 Bellevue West High School BellevueNE
2000 Ben Davis High School [6] IndianapolisIN
1999Broken Arrow High SchoolBroken ArrowOK
1998 Tarpon Springs High School Tarpon SpringsFL
1997 James F. Byrnes High School DuncanSC
1996 Irmo High School ColumbiaSC
1995 American Fork High School American ForkUT
1994 Lassiter High School MariettaGA
1993 (Tie) Hazard High School HazardKY
Centerville High School CentervilleOH
1992 Owen Valley Community High School SpencerIN

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References

  1. Castronovo, Albert (September 1980). "New Marching Sounds of the '80s". The School Musician, Director & Teacher. 52 (1): 8–9.
  2. "Trojan Guard Wins National Championship". Chesterton Tribune. 9 November 1981.
  3. Basse, Craig (17 June 1986). "Festival of States director dies in Indianapolis of injuries". St. Petersburg Times.
  4. Laurence, Teresa (26 November 2012). "After Macy's parade, Catholic school band entertains Sandy victims". Catholic News Service. Retrieved 13 November 2017.[ dead link ]
  5. "Band says thank you". Valley News. 8 November 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  6. "Ben Davis High School". Ben Davis Band History. Ben Davis High School. Retrieved 13 November 2017.