The Carolina Winter Ensemble Association is excited to officially launch preparations for our 25th Anniversary Season!

As we look ahead to 2027, we are pleased to share our tentative contest schedule, giving ensembles, directors, instructors, and event partners an opportunity to begin planning for what promises to be a memorable milestone year. While host sites are still being finalized, these dates provide an important first look at the upcoming season and allow programs to begin making plans for performances, travel, and participation.

Interested in Hosting a CWEA Event?

CWEA is currently accepting Event Partner Applications for the 2027 season. Hosting a CWEA event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your school or organization, support the marching arts community, and play an important role in creating meaningful educational experiences for performers throughout the region.

Applications are available on our website and must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, July 31st, 2026.

Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence

The 2027 season marks a significant milestone for CWEA as we celebrate 25 years of performance, education, growth, and community. What began as a vision to provide opportunities for performers has grown into a thriving organization that serves hundreds of ensembles and thousands of students each season.

As we honor our past and look toward the future, we are excited to celebrate the directors, instructors, performers, volunteers, judges, event partners, and supporters who have helped shape CWEA into what it is today.

Together, let's make our 25th Anniversary Season one for the history books.

Here's to an unforgettable 2027 season!

We’re excited to officially announce that the 2027 CWEA Event Partner Application is now open! This upcoming indoor season marks a major milestone for our circuit as we celebrate 25 years of CWEA, and we’re looking forward to making it one of our most memorable seasons yet.

Hosting a CWEA contest is a rewarding opportunity to support the continued growth of our activity, showcase your program and facilities, and play an important role in the success of the circuit. Event Partners are a vital part of what makes each season possible, and we’re grateful for the organizations that step up to be part of that experience.

As we prepare for this special anniversary season, we invite potential event partners to apply and help us create an exciting and impactful 2027 schedule.

If you are interested in hosting a CWEA event, please complete the application form linked below. The CWEA Board of Directors and Administration will review all submissions and determine event placements based on the applications received.

Application Deadline: Friday, July 31st, 2026, at 5:00 PM

2027 Event Partner Application Link: 2027 Event Partner Application Form

If you have any questions or issues filling out the form, please email the CWEA President, Zakia Ruffin, at [email protected].

Thank you for your continued support of CWEA. We look forward to celebrating 25 years with you and working together to make the 2027 season truly exceptional.

​As part of the Annual 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. The circuit accepts proposals from all current-year member groups and any member of the circuit administration in the following categories:

• By-Laws and Constitution:
  • This category applies to governing rules contained in the By-Laws and Constitution of the organization.
  • Changes to the organization's by-laws and constitution require the approval of 2/3 of the membership present at the time of the vote in order to be approved.
  • Proposals passed by the membership for changes to the by-laws and constitution do not require the approval of the Board of Directors to pass.
• Organization Administration, Rules & Circuit Championships:
  • This is (typically) the largest grouping of proposals. This category encompasses all of the organization's policies and procedures.
  • Changes to the organization's policies and procedures require the approval of 51% of the membership present at the time of the vote.
  • Proposals passed by the membership in this category are then referred to the Board of Directors. 51% of the Board must vote to ratify the change in order for it to become policy.

Proposal forms are due by May 29th, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Proposal forms submitted after this deadline will be considered out of order and discarded.

Click Here to Submit a Proposal

​Elections for Board Positions

We are now accepting nominations for the following seats on the Bo​ard of Directors for a two-year term:

• President (incumbent Zakia Ruffin)
• Secretary (incumbent Torey Riser)
• At-Large Representative (incumbent Anne Turner)

Election Nomination forms are due by May 29th, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Election Nomination forms submitted past this deadline will be considered out of order and discarded.

Click Here to Submit a Nomination for the Board of Directors

The 2026 Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, June 13th, 2026, at Spartanburg High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina (2250 E Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29307), and is scheduled for 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

We're excited to announce that the​ General Membership Meeting for group Directors and Staff will be held on Saturday, June 1​3th, 2026,  beginning at 3:00 p.m. Additional details regarding the venue and agenda will be shared soon.

In the meantime, please note the following important dates for upcoming nominations, voting procedures, and applications:

• ​2027 Advisory Council Nominations: ​Opens on Tuesday, April 21st, ​and closes on ​Thursday, April 30th​ at 5 pm.
• ​2027 Advisory Council Voting: Opens Friday, May ​1st, and closes on Friday, May 1​5th at 5 pm
• Nominations for ​Proposals and Board Positions: Open​s on Monday, May​ 4th, and closes on Friday, May ​29th at 5 pm​
• 202​7 Event Partner Applications: Opens Monday, May ​4th, and closes on ​Friday, July 31st at 5 pm

Stay tuned for more information, and thank you for your continued dedication and support. We look forward to seeing you in June!

The Carolina Winter Ensemble Association is excited to announce and welcome Tyler Scott as our new Social Media Coordinator.

Tyler is a Greenville, South Carolina–based educator and creative professional with over a decade of experience in the marching arts. He currently serves as the Director of Color Guard at TL Hanna High School, is on staff with Etude Winter Guard, and is the owner of TScxtt Media, where he combines storytelling and visual design to highlight performers, programs, and events.

Through his work both on and off the floor, Tyler has developed a strong passion for showcasing the energy, artistry, and community that define the marching arts. As CWEA’s Social Media Coordinator, he looks forward to collaborating with the CWEA media and administrative teams to elevate the circuit’s digital presence, highlight our incredible member groups, and support CWEA’s mission of excellence, education, and community.

Please join us in welcoming Tyler to the CWEA team! We’re excited for what’s ahead!

Premiere North & West Events Cancelled Due to Weather

Due to forecasted winter weather conditions across the Carolinas, the CWEA Circuit Administration has made the decision to cancel the Premiere North and Premiere West events scheduled for this weekend at Catawba Ridge High School and Spartanburg High School.

The safety of our participants, directors, staff, and spectators remains our top priority. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our membership and spectators as we make decisions with everyone’s well-being in mind.

In accordance with CWEA policy, all registered groups that were scheduled to compete this weekend will automatically receive their Premiere credit toward Circuit Championships qualification. No additional action is required from participating groups.

Ticket Refund Information
All ticket purchases for the cancelled events will be automatically refunded within 5–7 business days. Ticket buyers do not need to take any action.

We encourage everyone in impacted areas to stay safe and warm during the winter storm.
For questions, please contact [email protected].

Based on the current weather conditions forecasted for this weekend in the Upstate of South Carolina, the Circuit Administration has made the decision to cancel the Premiere South event scheduled to take place at White Knoll High School.

While we certainly explored alternative options, the safety of our participants, directors, staff, and spectators must remain our top priority.

In accordance with CWEA policy, all groups that were scheduled to compete at this event will automatically receive their Premiere credit toward Circuit Championships qualification. No additional action is required from participating groups.

Please note that the CWEA Premiere Low Country event at Ashley Ridge High School is still taking place with an adjusted schedule. For the most up-to-date schedule and event details, please visit the event page on our website.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we closely monitored the weather throughout the week. If you have any questions, please feel free to email [email protected].

We hope everyone in impacted areas stays safe and warm during the predicted storm.

We are aware of the pending weather that may impact the Upstate of South Carolina this weekend, and we are actively reviewing all available options for the White Knoll event.

Please know that the safety of our performers, staff, and spectators remains our top priority. We are closely monitoring conditions and working with our host site as we evaluate next steps.

As soon as a final decision is made, an updated schedule and any additional information will be communicated.

For questions regarding weather-related cancellations or procedures, please refer to the CWEA Policy Manual, which is available in the Resources section of Competition Suite and on our website.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this process.

We are thrilled to announce that the CWEA Circuit Championships will be returning to the Winthrop Coliseum for 2026! After an incredible season of dedication, hard work, and artistry, our talented Color Guard, Percussion, and Winds ensembles will once again have the opportunity to showcase their skills on an arena stage.

Event Dates:

• Color Guard Championships: March 27–29, 2026
• Percussion & Winds Championships: Saturday, April 4, 2026

This is the ultimate culmination of a season of practice, passion, and performance. There’s nothing quite like the energy of an arena, and we can’t wait to share it with our performers, families, and fans.

Come join us at Winthrop Coliseum to celebrate these incredible performances, cheer on your favorite ensembles, and be part of the excitement that only a CWEA Championship can deliver!

Stay tuned for more details, and get ready to witness the magic of championship-level performances.

The CWEA Mentor Committee, part of the CWEA Education Committee, was created to connect experienced members of the circuit with those who are new to directing indoor ensembles—or new to CWEA entirely. The Mentor Committee aims to provide guidance, support, and resources to help new directors and staff members navigate their first few years as unit directors.

By pairing experienced instructors with newer members, CWEA aims to foster collaboration, share knowledge that enhances the experience for all performers, and ensure every ensemble has the tools needed to succeed.

🧭 For Mentors

Mentors play an important role in connecting new members with the information and guidance they need to thrive throughout the indoor season. This includes providing educational resources such as circuit information, rules and regulations, and adjudication guidance, as well as serving as a point of contact for questions about navigating CWEA, administrative responsibilities, and show sites.

Whenever possible, mentors are paired with newer directors in their same geographical area to encourage collaboration and strengthen community among ensembles.

🌟 For New Directors

Welcome to CWEA! We’re thrilled that you’ve decided to join our circuit. Mentors are here to provide guidance and insight as you navigate your first season. Each new director will be paired with a mentor who has extensive experience in their classification and can serve as a primary point of contact throughout the season.

If you’re interested in becoming a mentor or would like to be paired with one for the upcoming season, please visit the CWEA Mentor Program page to learn more and complete the necessary forms.

For additional questions, you can also contact the Mentor Program Coordinator, Susan Winfree, at [email protected].