Music

2021-22
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Symphony Orchestra)
First Place Concert Band, Music In The Parks, Cincinnati, OH
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Wind Symphony)

2019-20
Indiana Outstanding Bandmaster, Phi Beta Mu, Gamma Chapter (Wendy Higdon)

2018-19
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)
First Place Concert Band, Music In The Parks, Cincinnati, OH
ISSMA Gold Award (Wind Symphony)
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Symphonic Band)

2017-18
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)
First Place Concert Band, Music In The Parks, Cincinnati, OH
IMEA Clinic (Wind Symphony in partnership with Carmel High School)
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Wind Symphony)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphonic Band)

2016-17
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Wind Symphony)
NAMM Best Community for Music Education (Carmel Clay Schools)
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Symphony Orchestra)
First Place Concert Band, Music In The Parks, Cincinnati, OH
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Wind Symphony)
NAMM Best Community for Music Education (Carmel Clay Schools)

2015-16
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Wind Symphony)
NAMM Best Community for Music Education (Carmel Clay Schools)
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Symphony Orchestra)
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Wind Symphony)
NAMM Best Community for Music Education (Carmel Clay Schools)

​2014-15
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Wind Symphony)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphonic Band)
ISSMA Gold Award (Concert Band)
Rehearsal Lab Clinic at the Indiana Music Education Association Conference
NAMM Best Community for Music Education (Carmel Clay Schools)
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Philharmonic Orchestra)
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Symphony Orchestra)

2013-14
Performance at The Midwest Clinic
Rehearsal Lab Clinic with Linda Gammon at The Midwest Clinic
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Wind Symphony)
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Symphonic Band)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)

2012-13
NAMM Best Community for Music Education (Carmel Clay Schools)
Featured Performance at Indiana Music Education Association Conference
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Wind Symphony)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphonic Band)
ISSMA Gold Award (Concert Band)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)

2011-12
Overall Grand Champion, First Place Concert Band, Music In The Parks, Chicago, IL
ISSMA Gold Award (Wind Symphony)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphonic Band)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)

2010-11
Overall Grand Champion, First Place Concert Band, Music In The Parks, Chicago, IL
ISSMA Gold Award (Wind Symphony)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphonic Band)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)
1^st Place Middle School Orchestra, Music in the Parks, Cincinnati, OH

2009-10
Overall Grand Champion, 1st Place Concert Band, Music In The Parks, Cincinnati, OH
ISSMA Gold Award with Distinction (Wind Symphony)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphonic Band)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)
1^st Place Middle School Orchestra, Music in the Parks, Cincinnati, OH

2008-09
1st Place Concert Band, Music In The Parks, Cincinnati, OH
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphonic Band)
SSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)

2007-08
NAMM Best Communities for Music Education (Carmel Clay Schools)
Overall Grand Champion, 1st Place Concert Band, Music In The Parks, Cincinnati, OH
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphonic Band)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)

2006-07
1st Place Concert Band, Music Showcase Festivals, Cincinnati, OH
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphonic Band)
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)

2004-05
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)

2005-06
ISSMA Gold Award (Symphony Orchestra)

The Creekside Band program is known nationally as one of the top middle school band programs in the country.  The band performed at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2013 and has received numerous other awards and honors over the years. The band program serves approximately 350 students in grades 6-8 ranging in skill level from beginning to advanced.  In addition to concerts presented to the public at school, students in the band program have the opportunity to participate in the Wildcat Pep Band, honor ensembles and Solo and Ensemble festival. Students seeking leadership opportunities may also participate in the Tri-M Music Honor Society along with their peers in the orchestra and choir programs.

The Creekside Band is a place where students of all skill and interest levels are welcome.  We take pride in providing a culture that is both nurturing and appropriately challenging for all.     

The Creekside Choral Department is a thriving component of the performing arts program. The membership has doubled in size over the past five years and over 250 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are involved. Although the entire choir program is non-audition and open to all students they regularly receive high praise from guest clinicians and judges. The eighth grade ensembles consistently perform high school level literature including Group 1 selections. Numerous students perform at Solo and Ensemble annually with consistent Gold rating performances. Leaders can also be involved in the Creekside Tri-M Music Honor Society along with peers from the orchestra and band programs.

The choral program prides itself on its excellent comprehensive musicianship focus by daily striving to improve choral tone, developing independent music literacy skills, performing a variety of high quality literature, and connecting with the expressive and creative elements of music. Concerts for the public are performed quarterly on top of extra outside experiences like the annual charity basketball game and recruitment events.

Incoming 5th Grader Information

 Musical
Canvas Course

Each year the Musical Theatre Department produces a  musical treat for the Creekside community. Three performances are presented. Past productions include Annie, Jr., Dr. Seuss: The Seussical, Mary Poppins, Jr.,  & Fame, Jr.. In 2019 Bye, Bye Birdie was a big hit selling out at each of its performances. In 2021 the department enjoyed another sellout with their production of Willy Wonka, Jr. In 2022 the department presents Singin' In the Rain, Jr. 

Read about Mary Poppins at Creekside.

There are over 200 students in the Creekside Orchestra program. The sixth grade Cadet Orchestra focuses on the basic skills of learning how to play a string instrument and reading music. The seventh grade Philharmonic Orchestra continues to develop and refine basic individual and ensemble skills. The eighth grade Symphony Orchestra students strengthen and refine advanced musical concepts and are exposed to advanced musical literature.

​The orchestras at Creekside have received top ratings at the Indiana State School Music Association, the Indiana Music Education Association, and contests throughout the Midwest. They have also been honored to perform at The Center for the Performing Arts.

​Students have the opportunity to perform in many other events such as Solo & Ensemble Contest, the Cultural Fair, and the Orchestra Ensemble.