Recent Accolades
The Pioneer Band Program is part of a nationally recognized music community. We are proud to share with you some recent accolades that have been bestowed on our school, our students, and our directors.
October 2013 The Foundation for Music Education named Symphony Band a Commended Winner in its annual Mark of Excellence awards. In the National Wind Band Honors category, the band was cited in both the Class AAAA and the New Music Class.
Starting in 1999, the GRAMMY Foundation has been citing the top high school music programs in the country.
2010–11 For the second time in six years, Pioneer H.S. was named the National GRAMMY Signature School, the Number One high school music department in the nation, and received a check for $15,000. (Following its selection as the National GRAMMY Signature School in 2011, Pioneer may not reapply for GRAMMY consideration until the 2014–15 school year.)
2009–10 Pioneer H.S. was selected as a GRAMMY Gold Signature School, one of the top 3 high school music departments in the nation, and received a check for $5,000.
2005–06 Pioneer H.S. was selected as the National GRAMMY Signature School, the best high school music department in the nation, and received a check for $20,000. (Following its selection as the National GRAMMY Signature School in 2006, Pioneer could not reapply for GRAMMY consideration until the 2009–10 school year.)
2004–05 Pioneer H.S. was selected as a GRAMMY Gold Signature School, one of the top 6 high school music departments in the nation, and received a check for $7,000.
2003–04 Pioneer H.S. was selected as a GRAMMY Gold Signature School, one of the top 7 high school music departments in the nation, and received a check for $5,000.
2002–03 Pioneer H.S. was selected as a GRAMMY Signature School, that year one of the top 50 high school music departments in the nation, and received a check for $1,000.
2001–02 Pioneer H.S. submitted its first application for GRAMMY consideration and was selected as a GRAMMY Signature School, one of the top 100 high school music departments in the nation, and received a check for $1,000.
January 2014 The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Symphony Band was selected to perform at the Ninth Annual Michigan Music Conference in Devos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
January 2013 The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Jazz Band was selected to perform at the Eighth Annual Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
January 2008 The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Symphony Band was selected to perform at the Third Annual Michigan Music Conference in Devos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
October 2013 The High School Nation bus tour stopped in Ann Arbor on October 2 and donated $10,000 to Pioneer's music department. The tour honored only 20 schools nationwide, citing Pioneer's "huge music tradition."
April 2013 Pioneer Jazz Band was named winner of the Essentially Ellington competition at Michigan State University. The event was one of ten regional Essentially Ellington festivals around the country.
March 2014 The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation named the Ann Arbor Public Schools one of the Best Communities for Music Education in America. This is the tenth consecutive year that our schools have been so honored. This award is really no surprise, as musical excellence has always been the cornerstone of the educational experience in Ann Arbor. As a community, we are always proud of our students and directors.
March 2014 Pioneer Symphony Band earned a "I" rating this month at the MSBOA District XII Band Festival. They also earned a "I" rating in 2013. And in 2012. In fact, we have no record of Symphony Band ever earning less than a top rating, dating back to at least 1970 — an impressive record of sustained excellence.
March 2014 Pioneer Concert Band earned a "I" at the MSBOA District XII Band Festival thismonth. In fact, Concert Band has earned a top rating every year since 1993. Considering that Concert Band, Pioneer's "second-tier" group, is assessed along with first-tier bands from across the state, this record is a very proud achievement.
June 2010 David A. Leach, our Director of Bands, was elected 2010 Band Teacher of the Year by the membership of MSBOA District 12. Recipients of this award are recognized for service and excellence in the classroom, the community, and the music education profession.
April 2012 The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Symphony Band performed in the Ensemble Debut Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York.
April 2008 The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Symphony Band performed in the Ensemble Debut Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York.
September 2011 The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Jazz Band, under the direction of David A. Leach, was selected to perform at the 32nd Annual Detroit International Jazz Festival in downtown Detroit.
September 2009 The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Jazz Band, under the direction of David A. Leach, was selected to perform at the 30th Annual Detroit International Jazz Festival in downtown Detroit.
May 2010 The Pioneer Concert Band was awarded the High School Concert Band Trophy and earned first place in the AA High School Concert Band category at the national competition in Sandusky, Ohio.
April 2006 The Pioneer Concert Band won several top awards at the Festivals of Music International Competition, including the William D. Revelli Trophy as the highest scoring high school concert band, and won the Dr. Tim Lutzenheiser Esprit de Corps Award. The Pioneer Concert Band was the only concert band to receive a Superior rating in Class AA.
December 2005 The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Symphony Band was selected to perform at the 38th Annual Spring Conference on Wind & Percussion Music on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This was Pioneer's third appearance at this prestigious conference, following their appearance at the very first conference in 1969 (Victor Bordo, director) and another in 1978 (Myles A. Mazur, director.)
November 2005 David A. Leach, our Director of Bands, was nominated for a 2006 Disney Teacher Award. He joins an elite group of teachers from around the country who has been recognized by their communities for his creativity and success in the classroom. Read more about David Leach and this award in this Ann Arbor Public School press release. 
April, May 2004 The Pioneer High School Symphony, Concert, and Jazz Band performances at National Band Competition in Orlando, Florida resulted in top honors for all three groups.
April 2002 Three bands from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, under the direction of Robert Albritton, won awards at the "Heritage Festival 2002″ national music competition held in Chicago. The 148 members of the Pioneer High School Symphony Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band competed with ensembles throughout the United States. The Pioneer Symphony Band was named the Outstanding Instrumental Group and won the prestigious Instrumental Adjudicator Award based on the most points earned in the competition. It received a Gold Award rating in the AAA Classification, the festival's highest band classification. The Pioneer Concert Band received a Silver Award (Excellent) in the AA Classification. The Pioneer Jazz Band received a Silver Award in the AAA Classification. The Pioneer Bands received the Heritage Festival Sweepstakes Award for having the most ensembles from any one school that performed in the festival.After the Pioneer Symphony Band performance at the Dixie Classics Festival in Chicago in 2002, one of the nationally recognized adjudicators stated that he had heard hundreds of bands around the country. He said that "this is one of the best bands I've heard. Fantastic playing."