Marching Band Ensemble in the Herndon High School Band < Back Marching Band The Pride of Herndon Marching Band was founded in 1947 and is the oldest band in Fairfax County. The Pride performs at all home Varsity Football games, hosts a competition each September, performs at the Virginia State Assessment, and competes up and down the East coast throughout the fall. In 2023 the Pride was selected as Virginia's representative to the 2023 Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Parade in Hawaii. In 2019 The Pride was selected to represent the United States at the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. The Pride is the only high school marching band to have ever been invited to perform at the Langley Headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2013 the group was selected by members of the Marine Band and members of the U.S. Congress to perform in Hawaii at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade on December 7. The group has been invited by Disney World to perform in their Main Street Parade in Magic Kingdom in March 2015. The Pride can also be seen performing throughout the community at elementary schools, Dulles Town Center, downtown Herndon, and other local events. Previous Next

Past Directors of the Herndon High School Pride of Herndon Marching Band Past Directors The Pride of Herndon would not be what it is today without the dedication and commitment of its illustrious band directors. This page highlights those who have helped shape the Herndon Band Program over the years. Valdemar Johnson , 1947 – 1958 Fritz Velke , 1958 – 1964 ... He won the 1962 Ostwald Award for "Concertino for Band" WHILE he was the HHS band director!!! James Swiney , 1964 - 1968 Larry Willis , 1968 – 1971 George Duman , 1971 – 1978 Richard Bergman , 1978 - 2008 Kathleen Jacoby , 2008 - 2024 If you have additional information or dates on the above directors, please contact director@herndonband.org and communications@herndonband.org read about our past directors Kathleen Jacoby, Director of Bands at Herndon High School, 2008-2024 Before accepting a position in the FCPS HR Department. Kathleen Jacoby was the Director of Bands at Herndon High School from 2008-2024. She conducted three concert ensembles, the Pride of Herndon Marching Band, and Percussion Ensemble. She taught AP Music Theory and sponsored the department Tri-M chapter. Mrs. Jacoby is the 2022 Fairfax County Public Schools Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the year. She is Conn Selmer VIP and a member of Phi Beta Mu. In 2019 and 2014 she was awarded commendations from the Town of Herndon and Fairfax County School Board. In both 2010 and again in 2017 Mrs. Jacoby was recognized by the School Band and Orchestra Magazine as “50 Music Teachers to Watch.” She has received a Presidential Citation from the Virginia Department of Education twice, and has been recognized by “Who’s Who in America.” Mrs. Jacoby was Courtland (Spotsylvania County, VA) High School’s New Teacher of the Year in 2005. Mrs. Jacoby was on staff with the American Music Abroad for four summer tours, performing concerts across Europe. Under Mrs. Jacoby’s direction, The Pride of Herndon had repeatedly been a Virginia Honor Band, traveled to Pearl Harbor in 2023 by invitation for the December 7th Memorial Parade, represented the United States at the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion in Normandy France, won grand champion at the 2013 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Honolulu while representing Virginia, and been the only band to ever perform at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters. In 2014 the United States House of Representatives issued a commendation to recognize the outstanding work of The Pride. The Pride performed in the NATO Parade in 2018, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade in 2017, the National Cherry Blossom Parade in 2016, Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios in 2016, and the Disney Electric Light Parade in April 2014. Prior to coming to the Pride of Herndon, Mrs. Jacoby spent four years as the Director of Bands at Courtland High School. In addition to teaching ensembles, she conducted school musicals and founded the school’s Tri-M Music Honors Society chapter and Flute Choir. During her tenure, the Symphonic Band received its first Superior Rating for Grade VI literature and became one of the few bands in the Commonwealth achieved 10-Year Honor Band status. Mrs. Jacoby is a native of Arlington, Virginia and graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelors of Music. While at JMU, she was a Drum Major of the Marching Royal Dukes and President of the JMU chapter of the Music Educator’s National Conference. Under her leadership, the JMU chapter broke state membership records. From a pool of nearly two thousand other chapters, JMU CMENC won two out of three National Chapter of Excellence awards. Mrs. Jacoby was also an officer in the Eta Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. Richard Bergman, Director of Bands at Herndon High School, 1978-2008 Mr. Richard Bergman, a native of New York City, New York, is a graduate of the University of Maryland where he received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 1967 and his Master of Education Degree in 1975. He began his teaching career in Prince George’s County, Maryland where he taught both junior and senior high school. From 1971-1977 he directed the Crossland High School Symphonic Band which he developed into one of the finest ensembles in the Mid-Atlantic States. Mr. Bergman began his career at Herndon High School in 1978, and retired after 30 years in 2008. Under his direction the band program at Herndon received national recognition for its excellence of performance in clinics, concerts, festivals and competitions. Among its many appearances, the band has performed at the Mid-East Music Convention, Pittsburgh, Pa. in 1985; twice at the prestigious Mid-west International Band and Orchestra Convention Chicago, IL in 1987 and 1995; the Music Educator’s National Conference 53rd National In-Service Convention, New Orleans, LA in 1992 and in Tennesse in 2003; tne American Band Masters Convention in Baltimore, MD in 2004 (where the band received a three minute standing ovation); and four times at the Virginia Music Educators Convention. Under Mr. Bergman’s direction, the HHS band has received over thirty first place and grand champion awards at every competition it has participated in since 1982. Mr. John Paynter, chairman of the music department at Northwestern University, has described the Herndon bands as being among the finest and most musical ensembles in the United States. In 1991 the Herndon Wind Ensemble was named by the John Philip Sousa Foundation as that year’s only recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor. This is the highest national honor any concert band program can receive. Mr. Bergman is a member of Phi Mu Alpha, The Virginia Band and Orchestra Director’s Association, Music Educator’s National Conference, National Band Association, Percussive Arts Society, National Association of Jazz Educator’s and the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers. He was president of the Maryland Band Directors Association and was also editor of their solo and ensemble and concert list manual. In 1995 Mr. Bergman was elected into the American Bandmasters Association. On numerous occasions the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia and the Board of Education in Prince George’s County, Maryland have cited Mr. Bergman for his outstanding contributions to music education. Included in these honors are ten “Commendations of Excellence” from the Fairfax County Board of Education. In addition, his bands have been recognized for their excellence by the legislatures of Virginia and Maryland. He has also received nine Commendations of Excellence from the National Band Directors Association, and in 1994 was listed in the Who’s Who of American Educators. In 2008 Mr. Bergman was named teacher of the year by the Herndon-Reston Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bergman has served as an active adjudicator, clinician, consultant, and guest conductor in many of the Mid-Atlantic, Southern and Northeastern states. Presently Mr. Bergman is the conductor of the King’s Park Adult Community Band in Burke, VA. Chuck Hawkins, Assistant Director of Bands at Herndon High School, 1988-2008 Since 1988, Mr. Hawkins has been the Assistant Director at Herndon High School and was responsible for production design, program coordination and all on-field aspects of The Pride of Herndon Marching Band. Chuck (who refuses to be called “sir”) brings a broad experience working with youth, and credits band activities with “making me what I am today.” A veteran of nearly four years with the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps of Washington, D.C. and five years on the band staff of Falls Church High School, Chuck has also served on the staff of the Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps. In his spare time, Chuck is a Battalion Chief in the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department. George Eugene Duman, Jr. (1936-2013) Gene Duman was Herndon High School’s fifth band director, serving from 1971 to 1978. He was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Baltimore, where his outstanding tuba playing won him a full four-year scholarship to The Peabody Conservatory of Music. Upon graduating, he came to Fairfax County and in 1962, opened Edison High School, where his bands were consistently awarded “Superior” ratings at District Festival. Moving to Herndon in 1971, he replicated his success at Edison, starting a host of HHS Band Traditions in the process. 1971 saw the first-ever Tag Day Concert. In 1972, he founded the Wind Ensemble as the school’s premiere concert band, and designated the Symphonic Band as the program’s core marching unit, giving the latter group a mission all its own and a newfound pride to go with it. He conducted the first HHS musical with a full pit orchestra – “The Music Man” – in 1974, and made Jazz Band and Music Theory classes for credit. And in 1972, he had the marching band play “You’ve Said It All” which, to the surprise of pretty much everyone – including Mr. Duman – promptly became The Unofficial HHS Fight Song. He departed Herndon in style in 1978, with the Wind Ensemble winning a major, three-day-long national band competition in Florida. In the words of a former student, “With Mr. Duman, band was always exciting, educational, challenging, musically rewarding – and more fun than anyone should be allowed to have in a school building.” Gene Duman’s seven years at HHS had – and continue to have – a tremendously positive impact both on the those he taught, and on the structure and success of the Herndon band program. It is that life and musical legacy which we celebrate at the HHS Band 2013 Winter Concert. Mitchell Samuel Bender (1934-2013) - Band Director at Herndon Intermediate School from 1966 to 1984 Mitch Bender was the band director at Herndon Intermediate School from 1966 to 1984. Born and raised in Aurora, Illinois, he took up trumpet at an early age and attended Chicago’s VanderCook College of Music, from which he earned a B.A. in Music Education in 1958. Mr. Bender began his teaching career in his native Illinois, moving to Fairfax County and Herndon Intermediate in 1966, where his bands routinely earned “Excellent” or “Superior” ratings. Mr. Bender’s fine work at Herndon Intermediate ensured that a steady stream of outstanding freshman musicians was funneled into the HHS band program for almost 20 years, directly contributing to the latter program’s golden reputation and success. Mr. Bender’s musical achievements were to continue in a similar vein when he became the founding band director at Reston’s Langston Hughes Middle School in 1984. After retiring in 1994, Mr. Bender remained an active presence in the local school band community, often serving as an announcer at VBODA District Festivals. In retirement, he also founded MSB Publishing, Inc., which boasted over 200 titles in its catalogue by highly-regarded composers such as Elliot Del Borgo, Joseph Compiello, and Dr. Robert Cameron. A gifted composer and arranger in his own right, Mr. Bender wrote fluently and well for band, orchestra, chorus, solo voice, and virtually every instrument imaginable. But most especially, Mitch Bender drew on his decades of classroom experience to craft dozens of attractive, high-quality selections that could be played and enjoyed by the sort of aspiring young musicians that he taught, knew, and loved so well. Update on Fritz Velke, James Marvin Swiney and Larry Willis - On June 7th, 2019 we received this interesting and informative email from Alumni Luther H. Nossett (Class of '69) where he talks us about three of the band directors listed above !!! Here goes - Good Morning: I was in the HHS band from 1963 to 1969 and knew the all three of the directors for which your site requested information. We are celebrating our 50th Anniversary of graduation this weekend and coupled with the band's trip to Normandy, one of our class members was viewing your site and found the request for more information on these men. I will share what I know personally, and refer you to other resources I have found. Fritz Velke was the band director at Herndon in 1963, our year in 7th grade. You may not be able to imagine how small Herndon was at that time, but the intermediate school was co-located with the high school at that time on Locust Street. Two or three weeks into the school year during middle school band class, Mr. Velke instructed about 6 of us to go into the uniform room and try to find a uniform that fit (or almost). We thought it was really cool that he allowed us to try on the high school uniforms, never expecting what happened next. As we assembled for his inspection, he said " ok, be here at 6:00 pm, you are now in the high school band and are going to Winchester tonight for the football game". We were all shocked, but our addition to the band brought the total members up to about 45. Mr. Velke left Herndon in June of 1964 but remained in the Fairfax County school system. I don't remember where he went, but in 1966 or 67, I was in the all-regional band and Mr. Velke appeared as a guest conductor to direct one of his compositions, "Plaything for a Bunch of All Stars". That is the last I ever saw Mr. Velke, but I did learn he had passed a number of years ago. See https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Velke and https://www.lib.umd.edu/ostwald/winners/1956-1970/fritz-velke. The picture in the second article is exactly as I remember him. I have attached a picture from the 1964 Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, where we wore the old style uniforms. In the fall of 1964 James Marvin Swiney assumed leadership of the Herndon Hornet band. Mr. Swiney had recently been as assistant director at Florida State University and provided more direction in marching band, producing more complex halftime shows than previously performed. Mr, Swiney was a very religious man and cared about the student's character development as well as musical development. Many class periods were spent in lectures on values and morals and not on musical issues. In 1966 and 1967 Mr. Swiney took the Stage Band to Grundy, Virginia to play a benefit concert for the Mountain Mission School,an orphanage serving the Appalachian regions of Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Those trips were very enlightening for us to see the poverty of the area, to increase our gratitude for what we had and increase our awareness and appreciation for those less fortunate than we. In 1967 we participated in the Southeastern Band Festival in Bristol, Virginia, a big trip for us a we spent two nights in a hotel. The festival included a parade and a halftime show. There were about 75 bands in the event and we got a good rating, although I don't remember the specifics. I do remember watching 74 other halftime shows, it was a very long day! In early 1968, the band collectively decided that we wanted to win the National Cherry Blossom Festival and we practiced for 3 months or more for that goal. There were three parts of the competition, a symphonic portion, a halftime show and the feature parade on Saturday. We played the symphonic portion on Thursday, April 4, 1968 and had our picture taken on the Ellipse, in front of the White House. Unbeknownst to us at the same time we were competing, Martin Luther King was being assassinated in Memphis. Riots followed and the remainder of the festival was cancelled. We were told that although we appeared to be the best band in the competition, they awarded the trophy to the band that travelled the greatest distance, only to have their time in D.C. cut short. I have attached a copy of that picture with Mr. Swiney at the right. I have previously sent this copy to the school. In June of 1968 Mr. Swiney resigned from HHS to take a senior position at the Mountain Mission School in Grundy, eventually becoming President of the school. His wife's grandfather had started the school and the Swineys felt called to serve God by helping others through that organization. He is now retired and at 84 is living in Abington, Virginia. I was in the band under Mr. Willis for one year, but I do not know any information about him or where he went after he left Herndon. I do believe he had worked at the University of Alabama for sometime before his tenure at HHS. Victor Bernhards who was a band director in the Fairfax County School system was our classmate and he may have more information on Mr. Willis. Please let me know if I can help you in any manner and thank you for your support of the D Day observance. Luther H. Nossett Class of 1969

Donate to support the Pride of Herndon, Herndon Hgih School Marching Band DONATE DONATE The Herndon High School Band Parents Association (HHSBPA) is dedicated to building and sustaining an excellent band program. Our students are provided with enriching educational opportunities and an active calendar of performances that showcases their talents. We strive to make sure our program remains of the highest quality and are always looking for ways to improve. Your donations help us to cover the costs of uniforms, music, instrument maintenance, concert programs, invitational performances, and master instructors. We are incredibly grateful for your support and thank you for being a part of the HHSBPA family 501(c)(3) tax information: Herndon High School Band Parents Association, Herndon, VA Tax-exempt since Sept. 1993 EIN: 54-1629832 ways to support the band: PAYPAL Giving Fund Donate MAIL Make out your checks to HHSBPA PO Box 1293 Herndon, VA 20172-1293 email president@herndonband.org

Writer/ Marketing/ Promotions Herndon High School Band < Back Previous Next Writer/ Marketing/ Promotions Jen Falcone graphicdesign@herndonband.org I'M INTERESTED Subcommittee PR - Write and submit articles to local newspapers. Website, etc. Contacts and requests publications to cover events and send them articles/posts to be published. Previous Next

Financial Review Committee Herndon High School Band < Back Previous Next Financial Review Committee Saima Hedrick, Mark Hoffman treasurer@herndonband.org I'M INTERESTED Subcommittee The financial books and records shall be submitted for review on an annual basis after the year-end financial statements have been prepared. This review shall be conducted by the Finance Review Committee, appointed by the HHSBPA Board, and shall be comprised of three (3) individuals who are not authorized to sign checks for the HHSBPA during the period being reviewed. At least one of the members shall be a voting member of the HHSBPA. The review shall be completed within ninety (90) days of the end of the fiscal year. Previous Next

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James Covington | Herndon High School Band < Back James Covington Marching Band Assistant Mr. Covington has been working with the Pride of Herndon Marching Band since the fall of 2016. He grew up in the marching arts, performing with groups in Drum Corps International and Drum Corps Associates from 1997 until 2009. After completing a degree in Music Education at Ithaca College (NY) in 2009, he earned a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance at the University of Maryland - College Park in 2012. He has performed with groups such as the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Manassas Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta La Leyenda, the Eric Felten Jazz Orchestra, and at Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, VA. Mr. Covington teaches general music at Greenbriar East Elementary School, and previously taught music at Herndon Elementary School as well as instrumental music in Prince George’s County Public Schools. Additionally, he is the trumpet player and music director for The DC Transit Band, a 9-piece wedding band based in Northern Virginia. Previous Next

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President Herndon High School Band < Back Previous Next President Shadow Needed Kathy Blouch president@herndonband.org I'M INTERESTED Board The President will be the principal executive officer of the HHSBPA with primary authority in all areas and, subject to the Board of Directors, shall: Supervise the management of the HHSBPA in accordance with these bylaws; Preside over all Board of Directors and Association meetings; Provide an agenda for each Board of Directors and Association meeting at least two (2) days in advance of such meeting; Serve as a liaison to the Director of Bands; Serve as the official HHSBPA spokesperson; Monitor all financial accounts and supervise the preparation of the annual budget. Previous Next

History of the Pride of Herndon Marching Band in Herndon, VA HISTORY & AWARDS The Herndon High School Band program has been a part of Northern Virginia since 1947, making it the the oldest established high school band in Fairfax County. The program began when dedicated parents and citizens convinced Vladamir Johnson, a Russian interpreter and part-time music teacher from Washington, D.C., to rehearse a group of fledgling musicians in the rural town of Herndon. The program that started in Herndon, Virginia served as an inspiration and model for the instrumental music groups later formed in Fairfax County schools. Today, these programs expose thousands of young people to the unique enjoyment of making music together and participating in concerts, festivals and competitions of various categories at the county, state and national level. Today, the band program at Herndon High School has mirrored the growth of Herndon, increasing from that original group of fifteen musicians to more than 150 instrumentalists comprising the following ensembles: Marching Band, Guard, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Indoor Drumline, under the direction of Mr. Brian Fisher. Honor Band Designation A band receives the Honor Band designation when they receive a superior rating at VBODA Marching Band Assessment and the Wind Ensemble Band Assessment. Herndon received the Honor Band Designation for the following years: - 2025, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2009, 1987,1985 Recognition The Herndon High School Bands have won the following awards: Parades Herndon has performed in the following parades: Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Oahu, HI, 2023 Reston Holiday Parade, Reston, VA 2023 75th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, 2019 NATO International Military Tattoo Parade, Norfolk, 2018, Thanksgiving Day Parade, Philadelphia, 2017 Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios, Orlando, 2016 National Cherry Blossom Parade, Washington DC, 2016 Disney Main Street Electrical Parade, Orlando, 2015 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, selected to represent Virginia & won Grand Champion, 2013 Reston Holiday Parade, 2013 (Percussion and Guard 2011-2015) – ranked #2 favorite in nation behind Macy’s by USA Today readers In the past Herndon has performed at the following: VMEA in 2014, 2007, 2003, 1995, 1987, 1983 Sudler Flag of Honor in 1991 Music Educators National Convention in 2002 and 1991 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 1987 and 1995 American Band Masters Convention in 2003 Music Educators National Convention in 2002, 1991 Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic in 1995, 1987 American Band Masters Convention in 2003 Meet Our Band DirectoR Mr. Fisher is the Director of the Band Program at HHS. He was the band director at Herndon Middle School from 2018 - 2024. Before that he was at Wakefield HS in Arlington. He has also taught band at Kenmore MS, Wilson HS (Washington D.C.), and West Milford HS and Macopin MS (New Jersey) ALL DIRECTORS Brian Fisher Director of HHS Band Program past DirectoRs Past Directors The Pride of Herndon would not be what it is today without the dedication and commitment of its illustrious band directors. This page highlights those who have helped shape the Herndon Band Program over the years. Valdemar Johnson, 1947 – 1958 Fritz Velke, 1958 – 1964 ... He won the 1962 Ostwald Award for "Concertino for Band" WHILE he was the HHS band director!!! James Swiney, 1964 - 1968 Larry Willis, 1968 – 1971 George Duman, 1971 – 1978 Richard Bergman, 1978 - 2008 Kathleen Jacoby, 2008-2024 If you have additional information or dates on the above directors, please contact director@herndonband.org and communications@herndonband.org READ MORE

CutTime and TalkingPoints information for Herndon High School Band students and families CUTTIME & TALKINGPOINTS We use TalkingPoints to send text reminders to families that automatically translate to a preferred language. Please make sure you are signed up for FCPS TalkingPoints to receive messages. More information can be found here Download Parents TalkingPoints for iOS and Android: All student data is managed through CutTime – email communication, instrument inventory, uniforms, and more. Every cell phone number that is registered here will receive a text inviting families to login and update their personal information Hello Herndon Band Families! / ¡Hola familias de Herndon Band! This year we are using a new system called CutTime to track fees for instrument rentals, trips, and winter programs. At this time, please select “Back to dashboard” above to view your student’s dashboard and confirm that there are no charges due. Note that some unpaid fees from last year were carried over. Fees can be paid through MySchoolBucks or by sending a check (to HHS) or cash to Mrs. Bradley in the front office. If you have any questions, please contact me at finance@herndonband.org . From now on, an automated statement will be sent at the start of each month to families with a balance due. If you need help navigating CutTime, they offer a series of help videos here : . Este año estamos utilizando un nuevo sistema llamado CutTime para rastrear las tarifas de alquiler de instrumentos, viajes y programas de invierno. En este momento, seleccione “Back to dashboard” arriba para ver el panel de sus estudiantes y confirmar que no hay cargos adeudados. Tenga en cuenta que algunas tarifas no pagadas del año pasado se prorrogaron. Las tarifas se pueden pagar a través de MySchoolBucks o enviando un cheque (al HHS) o efectivo a la señora Bradley en la oficina principal. Si tiene alguna pregunta, contácteme en finance@herndonband.org . A partir de ahora, se enviará una declaración automatizada al comienzo de cada mes a las familias con un saldo adeudado. Si necesita ayuda para navegar por CutTime, ofrecen una serie de videos de ayuda aquí: Magic Links and "Log Ins" No More Need for a Username and Password A username and password are authentication conventions that have existed since the 1980s. We use a newer, more seamless way to authenticate a user in software called "magic links," which have been around for about a dozen years—no more usernames and passwords for guardians and students/members. What Are Magic Links? Instead of members and guardians going to a login page to see their program's details in CutTime, they will open their cell phone messaging app or email and find a text or email message from CutTime. Inside of this notification will be their personalized and secure magic link - meaning that this is unique to that individual's cell phone number or email address, and acts as their "login". Much like a username and password, an individual's magic link should not be shared by members and guardians with anyone else. SMS as the Primary Communication Method The CutTime next gen system uses SMS as its primary means of notification to members and guardians. This means that CutTime will first send communications to the cell phone # on file for a member or guardian. Should the message bounce, the individual opt out, or there is no number/email on file, the system will then send out an email instead. Opting Out of SMS Messaging Members and guardians do have the option to choose email as their primary form of communication. They can reply "STOP" to the CutTime number in response to the message to opt out of text messaging. As long as they have an email listed in their profile, the system will then resort to using email to send them messages from CutTime.