Memories from Luther Nossett, Class of 69

Back in the 60’s there was one band that marched and performed concerts. Band of course was a class and you got grades and credits. If you were in the band class, you marched during football season and in parades, then you also learned and performed in two or three concerts per year. I submitted some information for you webpage a couple of years ago that explained that HHS was so small, some of us got moved up from the intermediate school band class to the high school band when we were in 7th grade. That still made the made probably less than 50 members. 

During those years we also had a stage band, or what would likely be comparable to your Jazz Band. That was a competitive selection and had 5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 3/4 trombones, a drummer, a bass player, and we played big band and swing style music.

Back then, Reston was just beginning to be built and Brookfield was only partially developed. The area that Herndon serviced is now supported by 5 high schools, South Lakes, Chantilly, Centreville, Westfields and Herndon. I believe Oakton also has area which used to be Herndon. Given all that geography, there were only 220 of us in my class in 1969. The 1960s was a transition period from dairy farms to suburban developments in the Herndon area, One other interesting fact is that the majorettes got band credits and prior to Mr. Swinney's tenure, they did not play instruments, so they used it like a study hall period. He changed that and they were required to learn instruments. Of course some did not like that, but he held firm.

                We were very rural. We were often referred to as the Herndon Hicks, when we went to regional band or other competitions. Foxes Music used to sponsor a large stage band competition which we participated in, but we were small fish in a very big pond in Fairfax County.