DeMatha Wind Ensemble Named Top Catholic High School Concert Band

Friday May 9 began like any other day for Carlos Castrillon, DeMatha Catholic High School’s director of bands. While home preparing to drive to campus, he decided to check the National Catholic Band Association (NCBA) website.

And there it was: DeMatha’s Wind Ensemble had been judged to be the outstanding Catholic high school concert band in the country. The group had won the Class AAA division, the highest level of competition.

The first person Castrillon told was his wife, Sarah, orchestra director at Oakland Mills High School. He was anything but calm.

“I dropped my toothbrush, dropped my phone and just let out a scream,” he said. “I was showing so much excitement that my wife came running in and asked me if everything was OK. She said, ‘Did someone die?’

“I said no but couldn’t even vocalize what had happened, what I had seen. I just showed her the phone. We were both so happy.”

Castrillon explained that he had to submit two videos of the Wind Ensemble performing in concert. And anything identifying DeMatha had to be removed. Entries were due April 1.

DeMatha submitted two selections from the Prince George’s County Band Assessment, which was held just prior to spring break in late March.

Castrillon, a 1995 DeMatha graduate, said the judging was “very thorough” and done by high-level band directors, including from the University of Washington, Marquette and the Cobb Wind Symphony of Marietta, Ga.

“The judges provided a lot of written comments, which were very helpful, in addition to the numerical score for our performances,” he said.

Matt Bickel ’95, DeMatha’s director of instrumental music, was pleased to see Castrillon’s hard work receive national recognition.

“Carlos is a great friend and a tremendous musician,” Bickel said. “I’m proud of him and the Wind Ensemble for their tireless effort and commitment to the music program.”

Schools were originally told they would hear back from the judges by the end of April. But those 30 days came and went without any word.

An NCBA official had tried to let Castrillon know beforehand that DeMatha had been ranked No. 1. But the longtime musician and music teacher had not checked his email before he went to sleep the night before the results were posted online.

“He said no matter what time I read his message that I could call him,” Castrillon said.

Then the morning of May 9 came. Later that day, he shared the news with the Wind Ensemble musicians during rehearsal.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Castrillon said on camera. “I have been just bursting with joy and emotion all day, unable to wait to share this moment with you.”

The recognition is even more special when you consider that the United States has more than 1,100 Catholic high schools.

In 1999, the school’s Wind Ensemble was named top concert band in country for the 12th straight year and 18 of the previous 20. The competition went on hiatus shortly thereafter before returning in 2024. DeMatha entered last year but did not win.

Not so this time around.

“This national recognition is a huge honor that reflects our students’ dedication, musicianship and collaborative spirit,” Castrillon said. “The NCBA selected our ensemble based on its outstanding performance quality, commitment to excellence and contribution to the Catholic musical tradition.

“This achievement belongs to our entire DeMatha music community: students, families, faculty, and alumni who make the program what it is today.”

Chris McManes is DeMatha's communications manager.