1946 – The Instrumentalist
In 1946 Traugott Rohner decided he could produce a better publication for school band and orchestra directors. At the time he directed a junior high and a high school orchestra every day and taught instrumental music at three grade schools and several classes at Northwestern University for future band and orchestra directors.

1954 – Sousa Award
In the fall of 1954 he came to the conclusion that band students deserved the same recognition their classmates earned on the athletic fields. He created the John Philip Sousa Band Award with the approval of Sousa’s daughters, who commented at the time that “young people and school band music were very close to the heart of our father.” The inital purpose of the award was “to honor the top band student with an outstanding award, and to promote the welfare of both school bands and instrumental music.” For 54 years the Sousa award has been the preeminent recognition of excellence in a high school band.
At conventions directors often mention that the day they received the Sousa award was the highlight of their high school experience, and was for many the event that set them on the path to become a band director. Over the years our editorial staff has included many Sousa winners (two at this time).

 Louis and Woody
From that beginning, an award for orchestra students followed in 1960, for choral students in 1964, and for junior high band students in 1973. Later additions were the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, the Woody Herman Jazz Award, and the Patrick S. Gilmore Award.  

New Additions
Two years ago we added the National School Marching Award. This year the Director’s Award for Chorus evolves into the Fred Waring Director’s Award for Chorus.

Awards season is a special time at The Instrumentalist. In the most frantic weeks, everyone from the publisher on down takes telephone orders and packages awards. We love to hear stories from directors when they call, and we know that every white box that goes out will bring happiness and honor to some fine music student. For our part we appreciate your dedication to helping young musicians in many ways. Let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you.