Congratulations to Kate Ritter - junior drum major (2025), saxophone section leader, saxophone choir leader, and soon to be senior drum major (2026). Kate has participated in multiple honor bands including the KSU and OSU bands, takes private lessons, reinvigorated chamber music in our band program, and arranged Dies Irae for saxophone choir. She plans on bing a music educator.

Congratulations to Mariam Al-Abid, junior bassoonist & front ensemble section leader. She is representing the Northwest Band Program in the Canton Youth Symphony Advanced Orchestra for the 2025/2026 season. She designed our current band logo, takes basoon lessons, and was center marimba for the 2025 marching season.

Congratulations to Emily Villers, a senior and principal of the percussion section, for earning a student spotlight for April of 2025! Emily has recently been named valedictorian for the class of 2025. Her hard work and dedication is inspiring to all and will remain a motivating force for future Northwest Band members for generations to come.

Congratulations to Colin Ankrom, a bassoonist in the 5th grade band, for earning a student spotlight for March of 2024! Colin began his band career in the fall of 2023. He started on the clarinet and decided to try a new instrument. Ankrom, along with his colleague Joseph Chapman, is debuting his composition entitled “Pirates Flow”. 

Colin conducted the debut of his piece "Pirates Flow" at the Spring concert.

Congratulations to Jason Moock, a trumpet player in 8th grade band. Jason plays in the 8th grade band, jazz band, select winds, and has been taking lessons for two consecutive years. He was nominated for Northwest's student spotlight in the education section of the Canton Repository! Click here to see the article!