Click on the above image for more photos from the spring band concert.

May 7, 2025 — The Mound Westonka High School bands performed their annual spring concert on May 5 on the Westonka Performing Arts Center stage. In addition to presenting an entertaining evening of music, the event provided an opportunity to recognize letter winners and present the traditional senior awards. 

It was also a night of “lasts.” It was Gretchen Chilson’s last spring concert as the high school band director, as she is moving to middle school director next year. It was also the last concert for the band program as Mound Westonka High School, before the name changes to Westonka High School. And most importantly, it was the last spring concert for the seniors in the class of 2025.

Students were honored for their performances in solo and ensemble contests, and for their leadership on the band councils. The Westonka Band Boosters also received a shout-out for their amazing support of the band programs. A whopping 45 students earned a varsity letter in band this year, spending hours on band-related projects outside the classroom.

The traditional senior awards were presented at the concert:

• Isaac Hays was the recipient of the Patrick S. Gilmore Award, named to honor the legendary 19th-century bandmaster. The award honors a senior student for musicianship and dedication. 
• The Outstanding Musician recognition, awarded through the National Band Association, went to Jessica Hoernemann. The award goes to a band member who displays outstanding musicianship, citizenship, and leadership.
• The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award went to Trevor Andrews for outstanding musical achievement and incredible dedication to the jazz program. The award is known as the highest-level interscholastic award given to high school jazz students.
• Braeden Trundle was honored with the John Philip Sousa Award, which recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication in honoring the top student in the high school band. Introduced in 1955, the award has become a nationwide symbol of excellence in musical achievement and is so prestigious that each school is only allowed to recognize one student per year with this honor.

Also honored were eighth grader Lisell Sheridan, Most Improved Concert Band; ninth grader Jack Durr, Most Improved Symphonic Band; and senior Astrid Nelson, Most Improved Wind Ensemble.

"This performance was a great way to wrap up a wonderful year,” said Chilson.