John's students compete and win at the highest levels — All County, All District, and All State.
2025–26
Current high school sophomore earned All Region Jazz A Band (All State Jazz Eligible) and UNC-G Honor Band on both alto and tenor, plus a full scholarship to UNT Jazz Camp under Alan Baylock.
2023–24
A student earned 2nd chair All State clarinet. Two additional students placed in All District Symphonic Band.
2021–22
A middle school student earned 2nd alternate (6th of 16) in the All State bass clarinet competition with the 2nd highest scales score — just 5 points from a full All State Band placement.
2018–19
All State placements in Bb clarinet and flute. Alto sax placed in Triangle Youth Jazz Band. Multiple All District placements including a doubler earning All District on both flute and alto sax.
2017–18
A middle school student won 5th chair All State flute. Seven RAFA flute students earned 3 Superior and 4 Excellent ratings. Thirteen All District placements spanning all grade levels — three marked All State Eligible.
2015–16
Quinn Sapp — 1st alternate All State alto sax (made All State as a sophomore, accepted to Appalachian State). Four All State placements total including two middle school clarinets. Additional honors: Governor's School, UNCW 1st chair, UNCG 2nd chair, NCMEA Jazz District 1st chair bari sax.
2013–14
Three All State placements: alto sax, clarinet, and flute. The flute student advanced from 3rd chair All District to 1st chair All State. Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble and multiple All District placements at both HS and MS levels.
2012–13
Jessica Mohr earned 1st chair All State tenor sax in 3 of her 4 high school years — accepted into the Elon University music performance program. Three additional All State placements in flute, clarinet, and jazz band.
2011–12
A student earned All State tenor saxophone.
2009–10
High school freshman won 1st chair All State tenor sax. A 7th-grader won 3rd chair All State bass clarinet and All District Symphonic Band. Two middle school flute students made Concert Band All District.
2008–09
High school sophomore won 1st chair All State alto sax with the highest score of any instrument. An 8th-grader won 1st chair All State tenor sax, also with the highest score of any instrument.
2007–08
High school freshman won All State alto sax (symphonic) and All State jazz band. Two 7th-graders took the top two tenor sax positions at All District. RAFA flute division winner.
2004–05
Three of the top ten flute positions at All District Symphonic Band were his students.
2003–04 & 2006–07
Two of the top four alto saxophone positions at All District Middle School Symphonic Band were Mr. Billington's students.
University acceptances — John's high school students have been accepted into music programs at Berklee College of Music, NC School of the Arts, UNC Greensboro, UNCW, ECU, Belmont University, and Appalachian State.
Current Student Spotlight
Hannah Badger, one of John's current students, earned a full scholarship to the UNT Jazz Camp under Alan Baylock, placed in All Region Jazz A Band (All State Jazz Eligible) on tenor, and made the UNC-G Honor Band on both alto and tenor saxophone — a remarkable double placement.
