Latest News
2024 Proposals & Nominations
June 10 2024
As part of the Spring Membership Meeting, a list of proposed changes will be presented to the membership for consideration. We will also hold elections for open positions on the Board of Directors.
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CWEA May-June Newsletter
May 13 2024
Even though we have wrapped up our successful 2024 season, we're already gearing up for an even more exciting 2025 season! Stay in the loop by checking out our May-June newsletter, packed with updates and upcoming opportunities for Directors and Instructors.
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Call for Proposals & Nominations
April 25 2024
In preparation for the annual Membership Meeting, CWEA is now accepting proposals and nominees for election to the Board of Directors. The General Membership Meeting is scheduled for June 22nd, 2024, in Columbia, SC. Additional details will be provided soon.
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2025 Advisory Council Nominations
April 21 2024
Nominations for the 2025 Color Guard and Percussion/Winds Advisory Councils are now being accepted. Seats are filled by group representatives nominated and elected to the positions. The Advisory Councils allow each division to be fully represented in discussions and strategic planning, as well as to discuss successes and challenges specific to their division.
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2024 Circuit Championships Update
CWEA Celebrates Women's History Month
March 1 2024
"Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered." ~ Michelle Obama
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CWEA Celebrates Black History Month
February 1 2024
“Just don’t give up what you’re trying to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” - Ella Fitzgerald.
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2024 CWEA Scholarship Applications
January 27 2024
The 2024 Academic Scholarship and Jeff Bridges Memorial Scholarship applications are now available.
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2023 Fall Education Summit
November 5 2023
We are beyond excited for our Education Summit on Saturday, Nov. 18th, at Northwestern HS. Students will enjoy a Spin Camp with the 2024 cast of Étude Winter Guard. Directors and Instructors can take advantage of Professional Development sessions featuring leading professionals in the Indoor activity for all divisions: Color Guard, Percussion, and Winds.
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2024 Advisory Council Nominations
July 12 2023
Nominations for the 2024 Color Guard and Percussion/Winds Advisory Councils are now being accepted. Seats are filled by group representatives nominated and elected to the positions. The Advisory Councils allow each division to be fully represented in discussions and strategic planning, as well as to discuss successes and challenges specific to their division.
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2023 Proposals & Nomations
June 29 2023
As part of the Spring Membership Meeting, a list of proposed changes will be presented to the membership for consideration. We will also hold elections for open positions on the Board of Directors.
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Jeff Bridges Memorial Scholarship Now Available
February 11 2023
Applications are now being accepted for the Jeff Bridges Memorial Scholarship Program. This scholarship offers the opportunity for participants to continue their education in the marching arts by helping support their tuition costs. Our hope is that by enabling performers to participate in the next level of the marching arts, they will use their education and experience to become an instructor - enabling the performers from the next generation to have the same opportunities that they had while marching.
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2024 Academic Scholarship Program
February 11 2023
The CWEA Scholarship Program applications will open on Saturday, January 27th! Since its inception, our Scholarship Program has provided over $25,000 to the young performers of our activity who pursue academic excellence.
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2022 Membership Meeting
August 21 2022
As part of the Spring Membership Meeting, a list of proposed changes will be presented to the membership for consideration. We will also hold elections for open positions on the Board of Directors.
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Call for Proposals and Board Nominees
June 9 2022
In preparation for the annual Membership Meeting, CWEA is now accepting proposals and nominees for election to the Board of Directors.
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2023 Advisory Council Nominations
June 8 2022
Nominations for the 2022 Color Guard and Percussion/Winds Advisory Councils are now being accepted. Seats are filled by group representatives nominated and elected to the positions. The Advisory Councils allow each division to be fully represented in discussions and strategic planning, as well as to discuss successes and challenges specific to their division.
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Health & Safety Updates for Events as of 2/9/22
February 9 2022
Now that we are through the Premiere events, we are looking forward to our first weekend of regular season shows! We wanted to take a few moments and share some policy updates for health and safety with regards to COVID-19. We are still monitoring the effects on our area, and have determined that we are in a much different situation than we were in a month ago. While caution still must be taken, we are revising some of the previously stated policies. Groups are still strongly encouraged to take whatever precautions and safeguards they deem necessary for themselves.
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Friday January 28 Weather Updates
January 28 2022
Over the past twenty-four hours, we’ve been closely monitoring the weather forecasted for the weekend. We’d like to share the following updates with you as of this morning (Friday, January 28, 2022 @ 10:30 AM). Should additional updates be necessary, we will issue a new statement at that time.
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Week 2 Inclement Weather Updates
January 27 2022
We have been closely monitoring the weather conditions leading in to this weekend. The Board of Directors met last night to discuss the forecasts and a plan on how we would move forward through the weekend. Please make sure to read this entire message, as it contains a great deal of important information!
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Premiere South Cancellation
January 20 2022
Based on the current weather conditions forecasted for this weekend, the Circuit Administration has decided to cancel the Premiere South event scheduled for this weekend at Colleton County High School. While we certainly wish there was an alternative option, we must take into account the safety of all participants, directors, staff and spectators who are traveling to this event.
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Health & Safety Updates for Events
January 9 2022
With the Premiere Events fast approaching, we are more excited than ever to kick off our 2022 season! With that said, we are monitoring the current situation with COVID-19 and its effects on our area. While we are in a much different situation than we were in 2020, caution must still be taken. We ask that everyone continue to remain flexible and understanding as we work towards having a full and complete season for everyone!
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Ashe Platts Hired as CWEA Event Manager
December 6 2021
Please help us welcome Ashe Platts to the CWEA Team as our new Event Manager! Ashe will be focusing on the logistical planning, organization and execution of circuit meetings, educational and competitive events.
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CWEA Brings Two Events to Eastern North Carolina
September 27 2021
As we continue to finalize the calendar for the 2022 Competitive Season, we are excited to welcome two new event partners to the lineup this year! Located in the Johnston & Wake County areas, these two events will mark the first CWEA shows in the Eastern North Carolina region.
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Color Guard Championships Changes Venues for 2022 Season
September 16 2021
As we continue to work towards our return to live competition, negotiations and plans have been ongoing as to how we would proceed with Color Guard Championships for the 2022 season.
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Changes to Percussion & Winds Championships in 2022 and Beyond
August 26 2021
As we continue to look forward to the upcoming season, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to live competition! Based on lengthy discussions and feedback from the Board of Directors and Percussion & Winds Advisory Council, we are announcing changes to the Percussion & Winds Championships event traditionally held in March.
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2021 Spring Meeting Election and Proposal Results
May 24 2021
Members of CWEA met this past Saturday to recap the year and consider numerous proposals submitted from groups throughout the organization. Additionally, there were four seats on the Board of Directors open for election.
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2021 Election Nominations & Proposals Now Available
May 10 2021
As part of the Spring Membership Meeting, a list of proposed changes will be presented to the membership for consideration. We will also hold elections for open positions on the Board of Directors.
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2021 Spring Membership Meeting
April 20 2021
Please read this important update from CWEA President Cody Crawford concerning the 2021 Spring Membership Meeting, Rule Proposals and Election Nominations.
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2021 Scholarship Applications Now Available
February 24 2021
Applications for the CWEA Scholarship Program are now being accepted for the 2021 season! Since the inception, our Scholarship Program has provided over $20,000 to the young performers of our activity who pursue academic excellence.
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Markell Allen Joins CWEA Team
February 20 2021
Please help us welcome Markell Allen to the CWEA Team as our new Media & Marketing Manager! Markell will be focusing on the digital marketing strategy and expanding the presence of CWEA across all of our digital mediums.
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Virtual Season to Air on Box5 TV
February 12 2021
Following the announcement of our upcoming virtual season, we are excited to announce that we will be streaming our virtual events LIVE on Box5 TV! This exciting new opportunity will allow teams, families and fans to cheer on their favorite groups from anywhere in the world!
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2021 CWEA Goes Virtual
January 19 2021
The time is here! We are excited to kick off the 2021 Season with registration for Virtual Competition! CWEA will host 5 Virtual Events this year, culminating in the first ever Virtual Circuit Championships! In addition to the lineup, CWEA will also host its first EVER Solo & Ensemble event!
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2021 Season Update - September 29, 2020
September 30 2020
Throughout the past several months, the CWEA Administration has continued to meet with local leaders, event partners, and other circuits throughout the country in an effort to secure plans for the upcoming indoor season.
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Public Statement from CWEA
June 1 2020
CWEA has always been a place that supports diversity, equality, tolerance and acceptance of all voices. While often times it’s easier to say that it isn’t our fight or it isn’t our place, change must start somewhere. In our organization, each and every person is valued regardless of race, gender, orientation, disability, social class or otherwise.
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2020 Call for Proposals
May 8 2020
Proposals are now being accepted for consideration following the end of the 2020 season. Any Color Guard, Percussion or Winds group in good standing that holds a current membership with the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association is invited to submit proposals for consideration. Proposals are also accepted from members of the Circuit Administration.
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May 2020 Update from CWEA
May 6 2020
The following update was sent out to the CWEA Membership on May 6, 2020 and addresses plans for the circuit as we look to close the books on the 2020 season and move into preparations for next year.
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2020 CWEA Event Cancellations
March 12 2020
The Board of Directors met Wednesday evening in a closed-door session to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 situation on our upcoming events. After much consideration, and in consultation with local health authorities, as well as our event partners and their administrations, the Board of Directors voted to cancel all remaining events for the 2020 season.
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Catawba Ridge Contest Announcement
March 12 2020
As of 9:30 AM on Thursday (3/12/20), there are no changes or alterations to the Catawba Ridge contest this weekend. The circuit will be moving ahead with the event as planned.
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Policy Update for Combined Schools
November 7 2019
Recently WGI changed its policy governing combining students from multiple schools within the same program. Per WGI Policy, groups must now submit an application for approval to be able to combine students from multiple schools. As a result of this new policy, a similar process will be implemented at the local level within CWEA.
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Revamped Premiere Lineup & 2020 Event Schedule
September 15 2019
Following a challenging application and selection process, the event schedule for the 2020 Competitive Season of CWEA is now available! The schedule, which features four new event partners for the upcoming year, includes a new location for Premiere South, an additional event in the Upstate of South Carolina as well as a revamped Championships event.
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Scholastic Letters of Intent Now Online
September 13 2019
Scholastic group directors may now indicate their intent to field competitive groups for the 2020 season. This affords their group protection under CWEA policies governing student participation in independent groups.
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CWEA Championships Moves to Two-Weekend Format
September 7 2019
The 2019 season wrapped up in March with the largest Championships event in CWEA History! While this was incredibly exciting, the challenges to produce a successful event of this magnitude were numerous. After lengthy discussion at the Spring Membership Meeting and the Summer Board Retreat, the Board of Directors has approved a plan to move the Championships event to a two-weekend format for the 2020 season!
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2019 Spring Meeting Election and Proposal Results
June 3 2019
Members of CWEA met this past Saturday to recap the year and consider numerous proposals submitted from groups throughout the organization. Additionally, there were three seats on the Board of Directors open for election.
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2019 Election Nominations and Proposals Now Available
May 16 2019
As part of the Spring Membership Meeting, a list of proposed changes will be presented to the membership for consideration. We will also hold elections for open positions on the Board of Directors.
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Advisory Council Nominations
April 18 2019
At the 2018 Spring Meeting, a proposal was passed to restructure the Advisory Council. The council was split into two separate bodies - one for Color Guard and one for Percussion/Winds. Instead of the council members being the class champions from the previous season, the seats are now filled by group representatives nominated and elected to the positions. The first year of this change has proven to be successful, and allowed each division to be fully represented, as well as allow each advisory council to discuss successes and challenges specific to their division.
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2019 Circuit Championships Webinars
February 28 2019
In advance of the Championships events, we will be hosting two webinars for groups attending the Color Guard or Percussion/Winds Championships Event!
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Special Announcement: Week 6 Promotions
February 25 2019
Please join us in congratulating the following groups who were promoted following their most recent performance!
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Special Announcement: Week 3 Promotions
February 14 2019
Please join us in congratulating the following groups who were promoted following their most recent performance!
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Special Announcement: Week 1 Promotions
February 8 2019
Please join us in congratulating the following groups who were promoted following their most recent performance!
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Important Announcement Concerning SC Region & All-State Conflicts
January 12 2019
A schedule change has occurred with the South Carolina Region 6 Auditions & All-State Auditions which will affect a number of groups performing at CWEA Premiere Events. Please read this important announcement from President/CEO Cody Crawford concerning this schedule change.
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2018 Instructor Summits See Record Turnout
December 10 2018
Recently, CWEA held two Instructor Summits as part of a renewed focus on education within the circuit. Both events saw a significant increase in attendance from previous years and were an overwhelming success!
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CWEA Introduces New Code of Conduct Policy for Participating Groups, Staff and Volunteers
November 7 2018
The Carolina Winter Ensemble Association is committed to providing a safe, positive learning and competitive environment for all we engage with. As part of this commitment, the Board of Directors recently reviewed and updated the organization’s policies governing conduct at CWEA-sanctioned events.
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First Performance Order Draw Results
November 4 2018
At the SCBDA 5A State Marching Band Championships today, Chaz Paxton (Director of Events) and Cody Crawford (President/CEO) of CWEA met to conduct the first draw for performance order. All groups who are registered and paid as of the October 31 deadline were included in the draw.
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CWEA Announces New Design Clinician Program
November 1 2018
As part of a renewed focus on education, the Color Guard Education Team of CWEA is pleased to announce a new program designed specifically for the Novice, Regional A and Cadet classes.
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2019 Event Calendar Now Available
September 18 2018
After a lengthy application and selection process, the event schedule for the upcoming competitive season is now available! We are also excited to announce the addition of a new event partner for the upcoming season - Berkeley High School, located in Moncks Corner, South Carolina!
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CWEA Announces New Policy Governing Scholastic Member Participation in Independent Groups
August 21 2018
At the annual Spring Membership Meeting in June, a proposal was put forth for consideration to change the rules governing Scholastic Member Participation in Independent Groups. In the past, CWEA discouraged independent color guard, percussion & winds groups from utilizing high school students who were previously enrolled in an active high school program who had not yet graduated.
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2019 Advisory Council Members
June 15 2018
At the recent CWEA Spring Meeting, the voting membership present approved the restructuring of the Advisory Council into two separate bodies focused on Guard and Percussion/Winds, respectively. The membership nominated and elected up to two delegates from each competitive class.
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Mike Leitzke Appointed Percussion/Winds Judge Coordinator
June 12 2018
We are pleased to announce that effective immediately, Mike Leitzke will fill the role of Percussion/Winds Judge Coordinator for the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association. Mike, an active judge on the CWEA roster for many years, has extensive knowledge of the marching arts and currently serves as an adjudicator for circuits around the country.
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Advisory Council Nominations
June 5 2018
At the 2018 Spring Meeting, a proposal was passed to restructure the Advisory Council. The council is to be split into two separate bodies - one for Color Guard and one for Percussion/Winds. Instead of the council members being the class champions from the previous season, the seats would be filled by group representatives nominated and elected to the positions. This was an effort to allow each division to be fully represented, as well as allow each advisory council to discuss successes and challenges specific to their division.
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2018 Spring Meeting Election and Proposal Results
June 3 2018
Members of CWEA met this past Saturday to recap the year and consider numerous proposals submitted from groups throughout the organization. Additionally, there were four seats on the Board of Directors open for election.
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CWEA Announces Changes to Color Guard Judge Coordination Team
May 23 2018
The Carolina Winter Ensemble Association Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Judge Coordinator Frank Miller, effective immediately. CWEA President Cody Crawford expressed his gratitude toward Mr. Miller, saying, "We thank Frank for his years of service helping to grow CWEA and the judging program to what it is today! Our organization's success over recent years is partly due to Frank's tireless efforts for CWEA. We wish him well in his future endeavors."
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2018 Election Nominations and Proposals Now Available
May 22 2018
As part of the Spring Membership Meeting, a list of proposed changes will be presented to the membership for consideration. We will also hold elections for open positions on the Board of Directors.
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