It All Started North Lincoln High School opened its doors in August of 2003. Weeks before that opening, the North Lincoln "Band of Knights" Marching Band was already in full swing preparing for the upcoming fall season. With 78 total students, they began working on a show, developing musical and marching skills, making new friends, and forming new traditions. Built because of overcrowded student bodies at both East Lincoln High School and Lincolnton High School, North Lincoln was built in the Northeastern section of Lincoln County as the first new high school constructed in over 30 years. Thinking towards future enrollment and the growth expectations of the Lake Norman area, while still maintaining their goal of smaller schools, the Lincoln County Board of Education built North Lincoln with a capacity of 1,200 students. The school was also built as a state of the art facility, complete with two gyms, full arts wing, and a 650 seat auditorium.  The Tradition Lives ON Drawing from the tradition of great bands in Lincoln County, the North Lincoln "Band of Knights," under the direction of Mr. Neil S. Underwood, hopes to continue to build on that tradition and add to the history of "superior" bands. The majority of students in the "Band of Knights" carried with them lessons learned from the regionally and nationally respected East Lincoln "Mustang Band, Showband of the Carolinas." Mr. Underwood, Director of Bands at East Lincoln for the past 20 years, brought to North experience needed to begin the journey of a successful band program.  The Marching Band's Surprising Accomplishments In their first year as a marching band, the "Band of Knights" had a very entertaining and award winning show. Using music from "Henry V," the show was titled "Of Knights and Dragons." The show featured guard members in knight costumes, and dragons on tall poles. The band was a finalist at the Western Carolina University "Tournament of Champions," receiving the "Class A Grand Champion Award." In addition the marching band was named "Grand Champion" at the Mooresville "Blue Devil Classic," and was "First Runner-Up Grand Champion" at the West Stanly "Colt Cup."During the first concert season (2003-04), the "Band of Knights" Symphonic Band performed for the Grand Opening/Dedication Ceremonies for North Lincoln High School in November, and in their first Winter Holiday Concert in December. In February, the Symphonic Band performed at the first annual "Knight of Love" Dinner and Pops Concert. This fundraiser event proved to be a delightful evening for both spectators and performers. On April 1st the Symphonic Band attended NCBA Concert Festival at Shelby High School. Performing a split program of Grade V and VI literature, the band received all "superior" ratings on stage and a "superior" in sight reading. This is quite an accomplishment for a first year school band. In May, the "Band of Knights" concluded their year with their first annual Spring Honors Concert and Awards Banquet.  In addition, during this inaugural year, the "Band of Knights" Wintergaurd completed their season finishing 9th out of 21 units in the CIPA Circuit Championships.  Band of Knights first performance in history (at Lincoln Co. Preview) Band of Knights make finals, winning "Class A" at WCU Tournament of Champions (87 members strong) |
North Lincoln High School Band of Knights
2737 Lee Lawing Road Lincolnton, NC 28092 - (704) 736-1969
| Handbook | Classes | Calendar | Links | Contact Us |
| Handbook | Classes | Calendar | Links | Contact Us |
The second year of existence for the Band of Knights marked a vast improvement in all elements of the band. The marching band show titled Max's Band Adventure was award-winning, and won great praise from judges and audiences alike. Once again making finals at the WCU Tournament of Champions, the band also won three Grand Champion titles. In the winter and spring months, the Band of Knights excelled in concert band and winterguard. The Wind Ensemble received straight "Superiors" in Grade VI, and the Symphonic Band was awarded an overall "Superior" in Grade III. Our Winterguard finished 4th in the CIPA Championships with their show History Repeating. The Percussion Ensemble and Flute Choir both received "Superior" ratings at Solo and Ensemble Festival, along with 20 students receiving "Superiors" in other solo and small ensemble entries. The invitation to perform in Washington, D.C. as North Carolina's representative at the 60th Anniversary of the ending of WWII was the highlight of the band's year. 
Our 2005 show, The 
In Solo and Ensemble Festival, the Brass/Percussion Ensemble, and the Woodwind Ensemble received Superior ratings, along with 40 other students receiving superiors in solo and small ensemble events. The Band of Knights Winterguard completed a wonderful season competing in the A Class in CIPA, and traveling to WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. The big ending to the school year was the trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the Great Smoky Mountain Music Festival. Check out the Honors link for all honors band and competition results. 
up to this marching season. Using wonderful charts arranged by Tim Hinton, the band performed exciting selections from Cirque de Soleil, Spartacus, and Sampson and Delilah. The energy packed show earned the band four Grand Champion titles including the regional level BandBEAT sponsored in Charlotte’s Memorial Stadium by the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and the East Lincoln High School Band. Earning finalist position for the fourth consecutive year, the Band of Knights had their highest placement to date at the WCU Tournament of Champions with an overall eighth place finish.
The fall was more busy than usual for the Band of Knights. Along with marching band performances and competitions, the Symphonic Band prepared a full length concert which was performed for the North Carolina Music Educator’s Conference in Winston-Salem during November. This concert, featuring our Symphonic Band with the North Lincoln Concert Choir in a premier performance of Jim Hill’s edition of the John Barnes Chance work titled "Ballad and March." The performance was met with rave reviews from music educators from across the state.
State Concert Festival, hosted at North Lincoln again, was a little disappointing for the Level VI Wind Ensemble who received an Excellent rating, but the Level IV Symphonic Band received straight Superior ratings. Two weeks later, however, the Wind Ensemble performed wonderfully and redeemed themselves with straight Superior ratings and First Place at the Fiesta-Val Invitational in Atlanta, Georgia. The NLHS Jazz Band also received first place and a Superior rating. The Jazz Band received a Superior rating at State Jazz Festival as well. Our winterguard completed their best season to date finishing 4th at the CIPA Class-A Intermediate Finals. Many individuals and ensembles received Superior ratings at the SCDBA Solo and Ensemble Festival in May.
