top of page
75th logo.jpeg
75th Anniversary of the Pride of Herndon Band 

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Pride of Herndon band. The ‘Pride’ is recognized as the first band program in Fairfax County which then served as the model for future band programs throughout the County. 


Watch out this space for details of the 75th anniversary celebrations coming up this year!!!

75th Anniversary Composition at the Spring Concert on May 25, 2023

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Pride of Herndon band. The ‘Pride’ is recognized as the first band program in Fairfax County, which then served as the model for future band programs throughout the County. The Pride was established in 1947 by dedicated parents and citizens who convinced Vladamir Johnson, a Russian interpreter and part-time music teacher from Washington, D.C., to rehearse with a group of fledgling musicians in the rural town of Herndon. At the time of the first rehearsal, most of the students had never seen, let alone played a musical instrument, yet the band's first performance was a short eight weeks later. Over the years the band program at Herndon High School has grown from the initial group of 40 musicians and 6 majorettes to almost 200 students. The band program has been recognized with countless awards and honors, traveled abroad, and instilled a love of music in countless students. This year the band program includes 115 students who participate in Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, Indoor Drumline, and Indoor Guard. To mark this achievement, a 75th Anniversary composition has been commissioned by the HHSBPA which will be performed for the first time at the Spring Concert on May 25, 2023 - we hope to see you there!

Homecoming - 75th Band Anniversary - October 8

 

Calling all band alumni!!!

We are celebrating Homecoming next Saturday, October 8. There are multiple ways you can participate:

 

Parade: 75th Anniversary Pride of Herndon walking unit

  • Alumni “leads” are Bethany Bray Clark and Chris Wist

  • Meet at 8:30am at Herndon Middle School – unit number and parking information TBA

  • Parade step-off is at 9am

  • You can walk/smile/wave, or if you would like to bring your instrument, you can decide if you’d like to play the fight song along the route! We also will bring a banner.

 

Football Game: Perform Fight Song and Star Spangled Banner with us during pre-game, play in the stands, or just spectate!

  • We will meet in the auditorium at 12pm to play through the Fight Song and Star Spangled Banner with alumni and HMS band members (please print and bring your own music)

  • Line up for pre-game at 12:40pm

  • Game begins at 1pm

 

Game tickets for spectators ($5):

 

Alumni Gear

  • You can find 75th anniversary clothes at our online store, which is available for pick-up at the game: https://www.herndonband.org/merchandise

  • We will sell any remaining merchandise at the game.

 

If you need to borrow an instrument, email Kathleen Jacoby at KGJacoby@fcps.edu

 

All up to the minute logistics and information is posted in our 75th Anniversary Herndon Band Reunion page

HERNDON HOMECOMING PARADE

2022 Staging Instructions

Date: Saturday, October 8, 2022

Organization: HHS Alumni Band

Your Unit Number is: 29

The Mayor and Town Council look forward to your participation in the annual Homecoming Parade.

The staging area for the Homecoming Parade is Herndon Middle School, 901 Locust Street.

ONLY those vehicles that are part of the parade are permitted entry onto Locust Street. Any other vehicle attempting to enter will be rerouted.

NO passenger drop-offs are permitted at the intersections of Elden Street and Sterling Road OR the intersection of Elden Street and Locust Street, for traffic control and safety reasons. Dropping off participants at the District Floor Depot, 1051 Elden Street is recommended. A walkway between the Extended Stay hotel and the store provides quick and close access to the middle school.

The schedule for parade unit arrival is as follows:

8:30-9:00 a.m. - Individuals and walking groups.

9:20-9:30 a.m. - All units are to be in ready formation; parade begins.

Please note that Elden Street from Sterling Road to Monroe Street will close completely to traffic at 9:00 am. Late arrivals may access the middle school staging area via Alabama Drive to Florida Avenue, to Center St, to drop off at Locust Street; or, via the District Floor Depot, 1051 Elden Street.

Parade goes rain or shine! Please plan your costumes, float, and performance accordingly and make sure your group is prepared with appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. The route is approximately ¾ of a mile and takes 1-1.5 hours to complete the full parade. Severe weather may delay the start. Call 703-435-6866 for updated information the morning of the parade.

Look for parade marshals wearing yellowjackets to answer your questions.

· For the enjoyment of all attending the parade please perform throughout the parade route, however please do not stop to perform. A 90-120 second performance at the review stand is strongly encouraged. All other performances must occur at a half step forward movement. Spacing between units will be done at the start of parade, please maintain this spacing throughout the route.

· For everyone’s safety, we discourage the handing, tossing or passing out of any items (candy, literature, etc.) along the Parade route. If you are handing out materials, you must provide at least one person upon completion of the parade to clean up along the parade route and properly discard any items left behind.

· Balloons, in accordance with the requirements of state code, may not be distributed.

· Lastly, we encourage you to have a representative of your organization at the review stand after the parade for the presentation of trophies.

We look forward to a fun and exciting event, and we thank you for your participation.

Go Hornets!

Cindy S. Roeder

Director, Parks and Recreation

703-435-6800 x2123

HPR_ID_newparks&rec copy

www.herndon-va.gov/recreation

Staging instructions
bottom of page