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 Northwestern (CG Only) competition, hosted at Northwestern 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 Northwestern High School that would not usually be permitted on school grounds. All guests to Northwestern 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-serve 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: Ashe Platts
Timing & Penalties: Brian Barfield
Tabulator: Melissa Burroughs
Color Guard Judges
Equipment - Robert Solomon
Movement - Lee Eachus
Design Analysis - Tom Slaughter
General Effect - Mike Anderson
General Effect - Dean Payne
Design Clinician - Zakia Ruffin
Withdrawal/Cancellation Policy
If you need to withdraw from this event after registering, you must cancel your registration online no later than 01/23/2026 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.
Independent Open - (IO)
Opus Independent
National A - (NA)
Dorman HS Varsity
Hickory Ridge HS
Science Hill HS
Scholastic A - (SA)
Ardrey Kell Varsity
Clover HS Varsity
Dobyns-Bennett HS JV
Fort Mill HS Varsity
Indian Land HS Varsity
Lake Norman HS Varsity
Mount Pleasant HS Varsity
North Lincoln HS
Ronald W. Reagan HS
Spartanburg HS Gold
Scholastic AA - (SAA)
Cox Mill HS
Forestview HS
Lucy Beckham HS Varsity
Newton Conover High School
Northwestern HS
Porter Ridge HS A
West Forsyth HS
Scholastic AAA - (SAAA)
Blacksburg HS
Cheraw HS
Clover HS JV
Crest HS Gold
Dorman HS JV
Jay M Robinson HS
Lake Norman HS JV
Lucy Beckham HS JV
North Lincoln HS JV
Palisades HS
South Charlotte Winter Guard
South Mecklenburg HS
Stuart W. Cramer HS
Westside HS
Scholastic Open - (SO)
Dobyns-Bennett HS Varsity
Scholastic Regional A - (SRA)
Ardrey Kell HS JV
Chapman HS
Cherryville HS
Cuthbertson HS JV
Dorman HS Sage
Fort Mill HS JV
Indian Land HS JV
Lake Norman Valor
Seneca HS Varsity
Spartanburg HS Blue
Union County HS
Scholastic Regional AA - (SRAA)
Crest HS Green
Lewisville HS
Seneca HS JV
South Pointe HS Varsity
There are no groups on our waiting list for this event.