09-10 Glance: Herndon High Band

All HHS Jazz, Percussion, Symphonic and Wind Ensemble students are required to participate in the Marching Band. The Marching Band will play at all home football games and four competitions, including our own Showcase of Bands. Marching Band competitions will occur on Saturdays and are usually whole-day events.

Summer Marching Band Camp

Marching Band Camp for the full band begins three weeks before the start of school and is held at Herndon High School. Drumline, Guard and all Freshmen start the week prior to that.

Drumline

August 9–12: 8:00a–1:00p

Guard

August 9–12: 8:00a–3:00p

Student Leadership Training

August 9-10: 12:00p–4:00p

Newcomer Camp

August 11-12: 10:00a–3:00p

Full Band Camp

August 16–27 (Mondays through Thursdays): 8:00a–12:30p *and* 5:00p–9:00p
Prercussion and Pit will go until 1:30p each day
August 20 and 27 (Fridays): 8:00a–12:30p
August 30–Sep 2: 5:00p–9:00p

Marching Band Camp/Marching Band Participation is required for all HHS Jazz, Percussion, Symphonic and Wind Ensemble students.

Parent Meeting (optional)

Freshman Orientation

Parent Meeting/Show

Prior to the Parent's Show, there is a meeting for all the band parents to provide an overview of the entire 2010-2011 band year at Herndon High School

Parent Meeting: Wednesday, September 1 - 7:00p in the Lecture Hall

Parent Show: Wednesday, September 1 - following the Parent Meeting on the football field

This meeting/show is normally the last day of band camp, but due to a football game on Sep 2 (the Thursday before school starts), an adjustment had to be made

Marching Band Rehearsals

Marching Band Rehearsals begin Wednesday, September 8th and continue through the first week of November. The weekly practice schedule is as follows:

Thursday, September 2 - the Pride of Herndon will not perform the full show at this game but will play stand tunes during the game

Thursday, September 16 - vs. South Lakes (yes, a football game on Thursday)

Our two major fundraising activities kick off the year in September:

There are many other fundraising opportunities throughout the school year. November introduces the "Holiday Greens Sale." In January and February, band members will take citrus orders. The proceeds from both events will benefit each student’s account. The ever-popular "Bingo" night in February will be larger and more exciting than ever.

Once again, you will have the opportunity to purchase band gear including magnets, window stickers, mugs, coverlets and apparel at most band functions. CDs of each concert performance can be ordered after each show. There will also be a few more surprise opportunities for you and your band member to make a financial difference. Please check the web site and newsletter regularly for dates and times where applicable. Should you have fundraising suggestions or if you are willing to help with any of these fundraising activities, please contact us via email at fundraising@herndonband.org.

This is the first and largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds go toward expenses outside what is provide by the Fairfax County School System, such as instruments, equipment, music, trip costs, and uniforms. Annually, we earn over $20,000 from this event. ALL Band and Color Guard students are expected to participate in Tag Day. Students will canvas the neighborhoods within the Herndon High School District, in teams of two, riding with a parent driver. Each student team will receive a map that specifies their canvas area. In exchange for a donation to the Music Department, the students give a TAG card with upcoming performances.

Showcase of Bands

The HHSBPA hosts a major marching competition every year at HHS. Marching bands of various sizes and from all over the region come to Herndon to compete in this event. The HHS Marching Band always performs last (and for comments only). Parent and students are needed to volunteer in one of the many volunteer jobs throughout the day.

Back to School Night

Senior Regional Orchestra Auditions

Open to Orchestra Band Instruments, auditions are in late September and the event is in early November. A successful audition qualifies the orchestra member to audition for All-State. The Orchestra is comprised of the top Orchestra Musicians of Fairfax County, which makes the orchestra one of the finest of the year. For this event top conductors from the nation are brought in for two days of rehearsal and a performance concert the last evening.

This year, the Herndon Homecoming is on Saturday, October 23. For the Marching Band, Homecoming is a whole-day event. It normally starts around 8:00a with Town of Herndon Parade followed by a barbeque at the high school and the football game. The HHSBPA parents host the barbeque. The game is usually over by 4:00p.

Marching Band Rehearsals

Marching Band Rehearsals continue through the first week of November. The weekly practice schedule is as follows:

Saturday, October 2 - Loudon Valley High School

Saturday, October 16 - Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ

Saturday, October 30 - VBODA, West Springfield High School

Jazz Band Performances

Marching Band Rehearsals

The first week of November is the final week of Marching Band rehearsals. The USSBA National Championships is the final marching competition of the year. The weekly practice schedule is as follows:

The Tag Day Concert is held in November. It is a celebration of the Tag Day fundraiser that occurred in September. Participating groups include the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and the entire Marching Band.

Senior Regional Orchestra Event

The Pride of Herndon welcomes the holiday season by playing holiday tunes at the annual tree lighting ceremony in downtown Herndon.

The Percussion Ensemble, the Jazz Band, the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble perform. Alumni join the bands on the stage for the annual playing of "Sleigh Ride".

VBODA/VMEA All-District Band Auditions

Auditions for All-District Band are held the first Saturday after Winter Break in January. All students in Wind Ensemble are required to audition, although all students in the Band program are encouraged to audition for the All-District Band (District 12). Students must register through HHS in December. Requirements are posted in the Band room. Qualification for the All-District Band may qualify a student to audition for the All-State Band.

VBODA/VMEA All District Band Event

Participation in the All-District Band is a very high honor. Students selected for the All-District Band participate in concentrated practices the first weekend in February (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) ending with a concert on Sunday. More details about this event can be found at http://members.cox.net/districtxii.

VBODA/VMEA District 12 Solo & Ensemble Registration

All students in the Band program are encouraged to register for the District 12 Solo and Ensemble Festival. Requirements are posted in the Band room.

Winter Drum Line Fundraiser Dinner

Indoor Drumline and Indoor Guard

Competitions are held on Saturdays from January through April. Practices are typically three nights per week and occasionally on Saturdays.

This is another one of our annual fundraisers. This is an exciting event for the entire family. All students and families are encouraged to attend.

VBODA/VMEA Virginia All State Band Auditions

A successful audition into this band ranks as the highest honor a student can achieve as an individual. Auditions for the All-State Band are usually held the third weekend in February at James Madison University. A student must earn a high enough ranking from their All-District Band or Senior Regional Orchestra audition and attend that event in order to qualify to audition for Virginia's All State Band.

Pre-Festival Concert

The HHS Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Bands perform with the HMS Symphonic and Concert Bands. This concert is a warm-up for the Festival competition that occurs for each band in March.

VBODA/VMEA District 12 Concert Assessment

The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band perform at this annual festival (now called "Assessment"), which is held on a rotating basis at three schools within District 12. This is the most important performance as a concert band. The students compete for ratings by nationally-acclaimed concert band judges. They also receive a rating on sight-reading. There is no admission charge for those wishing to watch the performances. CDs of the events may be purchased. Parents of performing students are strongly encouraged to attend this event.

The Jazz Festival is held annually on the third Saturday in March at Chantilly High School. Combos and jazz ensembles from Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, West Virginia and the District of Columbia have played at this invitational. A guest ensemble or recognized jazz soloist plays at this festival as well.

The Music Department annually sponsors a spring trip to participate in competitive band festivals. These trips provide students an opportunity to perform for a wide audience and to see other groups from around the country. Previous trips have included Atlanta, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, New York City, Orlando and Williamsburg. The trip destination is typically chosen annually in the fall but could be chosen earlier to permit proper advanced planning.

This four-day trip usually departs on Wednesday evening and returns on Sunday. The trip is chaperoned by Band Boosters parents. The cost of the trip includes transportation by chartered busses, housing, festival costs, and meals for each day of the trip. Students may help defray the cost by participating in various fund-raisers throughout the year preceding the trip. The main focus of the trip is the competition performance, but there is free time with scheduled events as well. Fairfax County school rules apply to all students for the entire length of this trip.

Jazz Band Performances

VBODA/VMEA All Virginia Band and Orchestra

Those students selected for the All-Sate Band have concentrated practices on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before the Virginia All-State Band Event. The performance is held the first weekend of April.

VBODA/VMEA District 12 Solo & Ensemble

This festival is for solo and ensemble groups. All students are encouraged to participate. Students prepare for performance in front of judges for rating on individual merit, and medals may be earned. Students are required to select and provide their own music. There is a minimal participation fee for the student.

Band Pyramid Concert

Navy Band Concert

Solo and Ensemble Festival

This concert incorporates the band programs from the Herndon Area Honor Band (top students from the Herndon area Elementary Schools), the Herndon Middle School Symphonic Band, and the Herndon High School Wind Ensemble.

Band Auditions for the Next Year

May is audition time for placement in the HHS Band program for the following school year. Dates will be announced. Auditions are scheduled through the HHS band office. Rising freshmen (middle school students) will schedule their audition dates through the middle school band program. Current Wind Ensemble members do not audition. Course placement will be made by director’s recommendation.

The Percussion Ensemble, the Jazz Band, the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble perform in final concert of the year.

Uniform and Tuxedo Collection

Following the Spring Concert, uniforms and tuxedos must be returned in good condition. Numbers in the garments must match those assigned to each student at the beginning of the year. If any part of the uniform or tuxedo is lost, the student is responsible for reimbursement. Part of the fee that was paid at the beginning of the year goes toward cleaning the uniforms and tuxedos. Cleaning is done during the summer so uniforms and tuxedos are ready for the next school year.

Band Banquet and Awards Night

Parents and students gather for dinner in the HHS cafeteria. The HHSBPA holds elections for Board Members for the following year. The Awards Ceremony is held in the HHS Auditorium. Outstanding student performance and participation during the year is recognized. Student leaders are announced for the next year’s Marching Season. Graduating Seniors are recognized. Senior Parents prepare a slide show and “surprise performance”.

All Band students participate in the Graduation Ceremony held at the George Mason Patriot Center. This is the final exam for Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble students. Transportation is provided.

Instrument Collection

Instruments rented from the school are collected before the end of the school year after the graduation performance.

Other Competitions, Festivals and Events

There are other competitions, festivals, and events that HHS Band groups attend during the year. These programs are subject to change annually and are chosen by the Director of Bands. Parents will be notified as events are chosen. The students may be asked to pay travel expenses and/or part of registration fees.