The Carolina Winter Ensemble Association is committed to providing a positive and inspiring experience for our young performers, while fostering the development of both students and educators at every stage. We invite you to join us for the 2026 CWEA Premiere North competition, hosted at Catawba Ridge High School. Be part of an unforgettable event, where remarkable talent and creativity come together in a thrilling new season of performances!

Ticket Pricing
Adults (6 and up) - $15
Children (5 and under) - Free
Payment Methods
All event tickets must be purchased online in advance using the “Buy Event Tickets” link above. Ticket sales are cashless, and all tickets must be purchased online.
Ticketing Policy
Tickets purchased for this event are considered general admission. Seating is not guaranteed and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. All sales are final. No requests for refunds will be accepted. It is the patron's responsibility to ensure they are seated at least 15 minutes prior to a scheduled performance. Tickets purchased for this event are considered a revokable license to attend the stated event. CWEA reserves the right to revoke admission with or without a refund of admission.
Flash Photography
As safety is paramount to all performers, any type of flash photography is strictly prohibited. Family, friends, and fans may take still photos of CWEA events for personal use only. The images may not be sold or otherwise distributed or publicly displayed without the written permission of the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association. CWEA defines public display as a website, printed publication, or physical location where the public at large can gain access to one or more images of a CWEA participating group in performance.
Video Recording
Due to US Copyright Law, and at the request of the performing ensembles, videotaping and/or recording of this event is strictly prohibited. You may be subject to dismissal from the arena without a refund of admission if found to be in violation of this rule. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Contest Personnel
Event Administration
Contest Administrator: Chrisa Murray
Timing & Penalties: Nikki Jones
Tabulator: Emma Swire-Clark
Color Guard Judges
Equipment - Patty Beggy
Movement - Jonathan Brown
Design Analysis - Jack Pursifull
General Effect - Chris Frick
General Effect - Steve Rickrode
Design Clinician - Brayton Mendenhall
Withdrawal/Cancellation Policy
If you need to withdraw from this event after registering, you must cancel your registration online no later than 01/09/2026 at 5:00 PM to avoid withdrawal fees.
All Withdrawals/Cancellations received by the designated closing date will not incur any financial penalties. “Member Groups” who fail to withdraw from an event prior to the closing date but before the date of the contest will be fined $250.00 per group.
“Member Groups” who fail to withdraw from an event prior to the closing date and also fail to notify the circuit prior to the contest will be fined $300.00 per group.
“Non-Member Groups” who fail to withdraw from an event prior to the closing date of the contest will forfeit their registration fee. If the unit has not yet paid their registration fee, the group must pay the fee before they will be permitted to participate in future CWEA Events.
Cadet - (CADET)
Catawba Ridge Cadets
Marvin Ridge Cadets
York Comprehensive HS Cadet
Independent Open - (IO)
Opus Independent
Independent World - (IW)
Etude
National A - (NA)
Catawba Ridge HS Varsity
East Lincoln HS
Hickory Ridge HS
Lexington HS Varsity
Marvin Ridge HS
Nation Ford HS Varsity
White Knoll HS Varsity
Scholastic A - (SA)
Ardrey Kell Varsity
Boiling Springs HS Elite
Catawba Ridge HS JV
Clover HS Varsity
Fort Mill HS Varsity
Indian Land HS Varsity
Lake Norman HS Varsity
Lexington HS JV
Mooresville HS Varsity
Mount Pleasant HS Varsity
North Lincoln HS
Ronald W. Reagan HS
T.L. Hanna HS Varsity
Scholastic AA - (SAA)
Cox Mill HS
Hillcrest HS Varsity
Nation Ford HS JV
Newton Conover High School
Northwestern HS
Porter Ridge HS A
Rock Hill HS
West Forsyth HS
Scholastic AAA - (SAAA)
Cheraw HS
Clover HS JV
Crest HS Gold
East Lincoln HS B
Jay M Robinson HS
Lake Norman HS JV
Lugoff-Elgin HS
Marvin Ridge HS JV
May River HS
North Lincoln HS JV
Palisades HS
Rowan County Combined Winterguard
South Charlotte Winter Guard
South Mecklenburg HS
Stuart W. Cramer HS
T.L. Hanna HS JV
York Comprehensive HS Varsity
Scholastic Regional A - (SRA)
Ardrey Kell HS JV
Broome HS
Central Academy of Technology & Arts
Charlotte Catholic HS
Cherryville HS
Cuthbertson HS JV
Fort Mill HS JV
Indian Land HS JV
Lake Norman Valor
Palmetto HS
Wren HS
Scholastic Regional AA - (SRAA)
ALA Lexington
Boiling Springs HS JV
Crest HS Green
Gaffney HS
Hillcrest HS JV
Lewisville HS
Lexington HS Spin Club
Rock Hill HS JV
South Pointe HS Varsity
Wade Hampton HS
There are no groups on our waiting list for this event.