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 West competition, hosted at Spartanburg 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.
Spectator Clear Bag and Metal Detector Policy
All spectators will be required to pass through a metal detector before entering the event. To save you time and avoid any issues, please do not bring any personal items to Spartanburg High School that would not usually be permitted on school grounds. All guests to Spartanburg High School are required to adhere to the Clear Bag Policy. Spectators will not be permitted into the event with any bag other than a clear bag. The bags also may not be larger than 12 by 12 inches and 6 inches deep.
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: Ryan Brannan
Timing & Penalties: Clayton Parker
Tabulator: Allison Combs
Color Guard Judges
Equipment - Mark Dorn
Movement - Amber Ammons
Design Analysis - Lorraine Kohagen
General Effect - Christina Vandam
General Effect - Dean Payne
Design Clinician - Scott Ruiz
Percussion Judges
Music - Jon Merritt
Effect Music - Ben Maughmer
Effect Visual - Jonathan Duke
Visual - Jim Shade
Winds Judges
Music Analysis - Mike Leitzke
Overall Effect - Jonathan Duke
Visual Analysis - Jim Shade
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)
Mauldin Cadets
Spartanburg Cadets
Guard Non-Competitive - (NC)
Carolina Instructor Ensemble
National A - (NA)
Dorman HS Varsity
Mauldin HS Varsity
Science Hill HS
Percussion Concert A - (PCA)
Chester County Concert Perc
North Buncombe HS Perc
Pendleton HS Concert Perc
Westside HS Concert Perc
Percussion Concert Open - (PCO)
Enka HS Concert Perc
Percussion Independent A - (PIA)
Carolina Storm Independent
Trilogy Independent
Percussion Independent Open - (PIO)
Kannapolis Independent
Percussion Independent World - (PIW)
Civitas Independent
Percussion Scholastic A - (PSA)
Butler HS Percussion
Chapin HS Perc
Colleton County HS Perc
Fort Mill HS Perc
Hartsville HS Perc
Indian Land HS Perc
Midland Valley HS Perc
Nation Ford HS Perc
North Augusta HS Perc
Palisades HS Perc
Union County HS Perc
Woodmont HS Perc
Percussion Scholastic Open - (PSO)
J.L. Mann HS Perc
Mauldin HS Perc
Ninety Six HS Perc
Percussion Scholastic World - (PSW)
Dorman HS Perc
James F. Byrnes HS Perc
Scholastic A - (SA)
Byrnes HS Sapphire
Daniel HS Varsity
Dobyns-Bennett HS JV
Mauldin HS JV
North Buncombe HS
Pendleton HS
Pickens HS Varsity
Spartanburg HS Gold
Scholastic AA - (SAA)
Chesnee HS Varsity
Riverside HS Varsity
Travelers Rest HS
Scholastic AAA - (SAAA)
Blacksburg HS
Byrnes HS Topaz
Dorman HS JV
Easley HS
Enka HS Varsity
Greer HS Varsity
J.L. Mann HS
Laurens District 55 HS
Powdersville HS Varsity
Spring Valley HS
Tuscola High School
Westside HS
Woodmont HS Varsity
Scholastic Open - (SO)
Byrnes HS
Dobyns-Bennett HS Varsity
Scholastic Regional A - (SRA)
Chapman HS
Chesnee HS JV
Dorman HS Sage
Enka HS JV
Landrum HS
Newberry County
Pickens High School JV
Riverside HS JV
Spartanburg HS Blue
Union County HS
West-Oak HS
Woodruff HS Gold
Scholastic Regional AA - (SRAA)
Airport HS
Greenville HS
Hartsville HS
Powdersville HS JV
Woodruff HS Maroon
Winds Scholastic A - (WSA)
Dixie Indoor Winds
Travelers Rest HS Winds
Winds Scholastic A - (WSA)
Porter Ridge HS Winds (waitlisted)