About Us
The Providence High School Band program is a comprehensive band program that consists of three concert ensembles (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band), a Marching Band (The Pride of Providence), a Winter Guard, a Percussion ensemble, a Jazz Band, various chamber ensembles. The program was begun in 1989 with the opening of Providence High School and has a rich history of quality music education and outstanding performances. The program currently serves over 200 students.
The Providence Bands have been led by several outstanding band directors, whose leadership and service to music education have been noted in the South Central District and throughout the state of North Carolina. Dr. Robert Maddox (1989-2000) was the first band director at Providence. Mr. Ron Payne (2000-2006) became the Director of Bands after having served as the Assistant Director for two years. Mr. Paul Jackson (2006-2012) followed Mr. Payne. Mr. Joshua K. Potter (2012-2022) followed Mr. Jackson. Mr. Nicholas W. Blackwood is currently serving as the Director of Bands. In addition to these Directors, several tremendous music educators have served as the Assistant Director of Bands.
Since its inception, the Providence HS Band program has earned Superior Ratings and First Place Awards in numerous Marching Band Contests, Winter Guard Contests, and at the North Carolina South Central District Bandmaster Association’s Concert Ensemble Music Performance Adjudication. The Pride of Providence Marching Band travels throughout North Carolina each fall performing and competing. It attended its first Bands of America Regional Championship in the fall of 2013. There the band became the first band from Charlotte to earn a finalist position.
The Winter Guard is active in Carolina Winter Ensemble Association (CWEA) and Winter Guard International (WGI) events. It is a WGI Regional Finalist and CWEA Circuit Medalists. The team has made finals at WGI Regional Championships in Richmond, Raleigh, and Orlando. In 2012, the team performed as a member of the Carolina Indoor Performance Association (CIPA) and won the Gold Medal in the highest Scholastic A division. In 2013, the team returned to CWEA and earned the Gold Medal in the highest Scholastic A division there. Also in 2013, the team attended its first WGI Super Regional (Orlando). There it won its preliminary round and finished 5th overall.
The Providence Wind Ensemble has been invited to perform at the NC Music Educator’s Conference on two occasions. In 2003, the Ensemble performed under the direction of Mr. Ron Payne. In 2013, the Ensemble performed under the direction of Mr. Joshua K. Potter. In 2017, also under the direction of Mr. Potter, the Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the "Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival" in Atlanta Georgia.
Students from the bands consistently place in the South Central District All-District Bands and the North Carolina All-State Honor Bands, as well as university honor bands across the southeast. Additionally, students have earned spots in NAfME Army All-American Marching Band. Several Band Alumni are now working on music degrees in colleges and universities as well as performing with ensembles across the United States.
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