ESPRIT DE CORPS - what's it all about?

espirit 200px Bands of America awards the Esprit de Corps Award to one band at each Grand Nationals competition, the one band that best exemplifies the best qualities of what the Bands of America program is all about.

Who was Al Castronovo and what is the Esprit de Corps Award?

Al Castronovo was the band director at Chesterton High School, the 1981 Grand National Champions. He sat on the BOA 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 BOA's mission to create and provide positively life-changing experiences through music. The award was named in his honor after his death in 1986.

The Bands of America Adjudication Handbook describes the Esprit de Corps award as follows:

"This is a special award and is not based on any scores from the competition. It is open to all bands in the competition. The Bands of America staff will evaluate groups throughout the complete event to select the one group most exhibiting pride, spirit, enthusiasm, friendliness, and unity of purpose for the activity of marching bands in this country."

The Esprit de Corps Award was first awarded in 1978. Since then, one band has received the award at each year's Grand National Championship. The BOA staff, Grand National event staff and volunteers are asked to nominate a band to receive the award. Then, the BOA executive staff reviews nominees and makes final selection.

The Thousand Oaks Lancer Marching Band proudly received the Al Castronovo Esprit de Corps awasrd in 2005.

Recent Esprit de Corps Award Winners

2012 - Bridgewater-Raritan, NJ & Avon, IN
2011 - Father Ryan, TN
2010 - Broken Arrow, OK
2009 - American Fork, UT
2008 - Vista Murrieta, CA
2007 - Marian Catholic, IL
2006 - Plymouth-Canton Ed. Park, MI
2005 - Thousand Oaks, CA
2004 - Stephen F. Austin, TX
2003 - Avon, IN
2002 - Fort Mill, SC
2001 - Bellevue, NE
2000 - Ben Davis, IN

Lancer Band Program

The Thousand Oaks High School Lancer Music Department is a collaboration of outstanding students, parents and instructors all striving to achieve program excellence. Lancer Band students join a team, focused on the thrill of performance, self-sacrifice for the good of the group and the fun and success that comes from planning and hard work.