Available all day during Showcase of Bands starting at 10AM. Showcase Concessions Available all day during Showcase of Bands starting at 10AM. Hot Food Hamburger 1/4 lb 100% Beef $6 Cheeseburger 1/4 lb 100% Beef w/ Cheese $7 Veggie Burger Gluten Free Bread upon request Regular Bread $6 Gluten Free Bread $6 Vegan Vegetarian Veggie Burger w/ Cheese Gluten Free Bread upon request Regular Bread $7 Gluten Free Bread $7 Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich Original $7 Hot Dog 1/4 lb 100% Beef $5 Deli Italiano Cheese Pizza Slice $4 Deli Italiano Pepperoni Pizza Slice $5 Deli Italiano Veggie Pizza Slice Onions, black olives, peppers, mushrooms $5 Vegetarian Deli Italiano Whole Cheese Pizza Typically has 8 slices $25 Deli Italiano Whole Pepperoni Pizza Typically has 8 slices $30 Deli Italiano Whole Veggie Pizza Typically has 8 slices. Onions, black olives, peppers, mushrooms $30 Vegetarian Cup Of Noodles Chicken flavor $3 Snacks Chips Classic, BBQ, Sour Cream &Onion, Cheddar and Sour cream Ripples, Classic Wavy, Doritos, Pretzels $2 Chips BBQ Cheddar and Sour Cream Classic Show More Candy Sour Patch Kids, Sour Skittles , Regular Skittles, Berry Skittles, Hershey's Chocolate Bar, Kit Kat, Twix, M&Ms, Peanut M&Ms, Cotton Candy $3 Candy Regular Skittles Berry Skittles Sour Skittles Show More Cookies Oreos, Little Bites Muffins, Partake Allergen Friendly, Rice Krispies Bar, Famous Amos Cookies $3 Cookies Oreos Little Bites Muffins Partake Allergen Friendly Show More Popcorn Visit the popcorn and snow cone tent Small $3 Large $5 Snow Cone Visit the popcorn and snow cone tent Small $3 Large $6 Drinks Water Bottles $2 Soda Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, or Fanta Orange $2 Soda Coke Diet Coke Fanta Orange Show More Sports Drinks Powerade Red, Blue, or Purple $3 Sports Drinks Powerade Blue Powerade Purple Powerade Red

Senior Class Representatives Herndon High School Band < Back Previous Next Senior Class Representatives Christine Cuadro, Colleen Foehrkolb seniorrep@herndonband.org I'M INTERESTED Subcommittee Coordinates and executes activities and purchases for band Seniors 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

Aubrey Adams | Herndon High School Band < Back Aubrey Adams Percussion Ensemble Aubrey V. Adams retired with honors in November 2001 as principal percussionist and section leader for the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. after over 21 years of service. Mr. Adams has performed in the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall with the National Symphony Orchestra. He is the timpanist of the Prince William Symphony and has performed as principal percussionist with the Washington Ballet. Mr. Adams also performs frequently with the Washington Bach Consort and numerous symphonies from Annapolis to Richmond. Mr. Adams may be heard on recordings of the U.S.A.F. Band and Orchestra, Capitol Winds, Warner Brothers, Meredith Publications, and Garwood Whaley’s’ Snare Drum Duets. Mr. Adams has performed on many local and national TV and radio broadcasts. He may be heard on recordings of the U.S.A.F. Band and Orchestra, Capitol Winds, Warner Brothers, Meredith Publications, and Garwood Whaley’s’ Recital Duets For Snare Drum. At present, Mr. Adams can also be heard playing all 40 of the Percussive Arts Society International Rudiments on their website. Mr. Adams has served as adjunct faculty for percussion at the University of Maryland and George Mason University. Mr. Adams is also active as a writer. He has contributed articles for the Instrumentalist and Percussive Arts Society; his competition solos for snare drum are published by Pioneer Percussion Company. Mr. Adams has an active percussion rental business and is sponsored by the Vic Firth Company. Previous Next

Thank you for supporting the Herndon High School Band Thank you, Donor Name We are so grateful for your generous donation of $0. Your donation number is #1000. You’ll receive a confirmation email soon.

We look forward to hearing from you and thank you for supporting the band contact us send mail to: Herndon High School Band Parents Association (HHSBPA) P.O.Box 1293 Herndon, VA 20172-1293 email Us communications@herndonband.org chat Use the chat icon at the bottom of this page Visit us Herndon High School 700 Bennett Street Herndon, VA 20170 Terms and Conditions Accessibility Statement Privacy Policy

Communications Chair Herndon High School Band < Back Previous Next Communications Chair Shadow Needed Saima Hedrick communications@herndonband.org I'M INTERESTED Board Oversee all band communications & social media activities with the following supporting team. (Webmaster, Graphic Designer, Writer/Promotions) Website - update regularly (with Webmaster) PR - Write and submit articles to local newspapers. (with Writer & Promotions) Community calendar updates - Update Facebook, Patch, Connection, and Times on upcoming events. Reach out to advertise events in the HHS weekly ‘News You Choose’ emails Programs - Create & update/produce programs for 5 concerts with the help of Graphic Designer Showcase programs - * Develop program for Showcase Competition - includes schedule, ads (provided by community as well as design basic ads from parents) and other information related to the event * Invite dignitaries, reach out to the community. *Email VIP passes * Advertise and place signs around the neighborhood and local schools. * Contact schools in the pyramid to spread the word. * Print and design Signs (parking, schedules, directions) Contact person for the Professional Photographer for Marching Band photos since Communications uses the photos the most in marketing materials. Works closely with Band Director and other communications members, etc.. This is an all year round volunteer position Previous Next

Watch past performances of the Prode of Herndon High School Band Performance recordings See all our recent performance videos on the Herndon High School Band YouTube channel YouTube Under the direction of the Herndon High School Band Directors, the Pride of Herndon has performed all over the world. See links to some of those performances For videos of recent years (2018 -now) subscribe 2016-17 Band Videos: Winter Concert: HHS Symphonic Band - Great Dakota Prairies https://youtu.be/YhXsaj9H-ag HHS Symphonic Band - A Night in Budapest https://youtu.be/F9otN9FD4j0 HHS Flute Choir - conducted by Sarah Moran https://youtu.be/H9A4c5e3h7o HHS Flute Choir - Carol of the Bells https://youtu.be/ClxDSCx3ma4 HHS Flute Choir - An Amazing Silent Night https://youtu.be/LpXozYhpwdo HHS Wind Ensemble - Eine Kleine Yiddishe Ragmusik https://youtu.be/ITBoGt-EstE HHS Wind Ensemble - Do Not Go Gentle Into That Goodnight https://youtu.be/1YGS8IDS5_k HHS Wind Ensemble - Goodbye World, Goodbye https://youtu.be/1x46H_UqorA HHS Wind Ensemble & Alumni - A Christmas Festival https://youtu.be/S-_auYbitvk HHS Wind Ensemble & Alumni - Sleigh Ride https://youtu.be/ZHFC3-yBZfE Tag Day Concert Ride: https://youtu.be/c49vpzIgzIU Inglesina: https://youtu.be/4xe26KJMrA0 Folk Song Suite: https://youtu.be/JoxwZtqO2Ys March to the Scaffold: https://youtu.be/q4TDwk8L1oc 2015-16 Marching Band Videos Homecoming parade and show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3wC2gZYiRc Homecoming halftime show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHJofr6JN5w&feature=youtu.be September 9th Game https://youtu.be/l1im9L2ueGM 2016 Senior Slide Show 2016 Cherry Blossom Parade ** New** - Video courtesy Robin Handy - Video courtesy Robert Brown Video clips from last four years - From Tag Day Concert 11/11/15 Herndon Homecoming Game - 10/24/15 Courtesy Liza Albright Herndon Homecoming Parade - 10/24/15 Courtesy Liza Albright Towson Performances - 10/17/15 Courtesy LIza Albright Loudoun Valley Performance - 10/3/15 Courtesy Liza Albright Showcase Performance - 9/25/15 HHS Marching Band Dedication to Holly, Kyle & Dale "You'll Never Walk Alone" - 9/18/15 Courtesy Robert Brown First game/performance of the season - 9/18/15 Courtesy Liza Albright Previous Years 2014 Marching Band - VBODA assessment, Patriot HS 10/25/14. – courtesy Jacob Reeves 2014 Marching Band - 9/19/14 Game Courtesy Liza Albright 2013 Marching Band – 9/27/13 Game – courtesy Jacob Reeves 2012 Marching Band – JMU Performance 10/20/2012 – courtesy Adrian Morgan 2010 Marching Band - Homecoming Parade/Game 1984 Marching Band - at VBODA assessment, 10/27/1984 Indoor Drumline 2015 Indoor Drumline - AIA Finals at Robinson Secondary School 3/28/15 - courtesy Patricia Adams 2014 Indoor Drumline - 3/29/14 - courtesy Andrea Eliason MORE

Volunteer llist for Herndon High School Showcase of Bands with over 30 local high school marching bands Chat to Volunteer SHOWCASE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS 37 MORE DAYS UNTIL SHOWCASE! Showcase of Bands includes over 30 marching bands from all over Virginia in a 1 day event from 9:00am to 10:00pm. That means 5500+ people coming and going at Herndon High School throughout the day. Showcase operates 100% on volunteer effort. Below you'll find a list with descriptions for positions critical to the success of Showcase. More questions about volunteering? Contact: volunteer@herndonband.org Student volunteers accepted Adult volunteers required Airgrams Responsible for selling Airgrams, which visitors can purchase to give a 'shout-out' to a group or a student. Band Marshal Accompany assigned band throughout the day and provide directions / timing. Building Monitor Visiting bands will leave their belongings in the cafeteria while on campus. Monitor that only students, staff, or chaperones are accessing the area allocated to their band. Bus and Spectator Parking Direct buses to bus parking area, and patrol the parking lots to help visitors find a parking place. Concessions Assist concessions cashier, stock supplies, and coordinate with Grill and Satellite Stations. Concessions Cashier Handle cash/make change or use HHSBPA provided device or for credit card transactions. Concessions Griller Grill hamburgers, veggie burgers, and hotdogs, help wrap food items, or take them to concessions. Have a supply ready during busy purchase times. Crowd Control Prevent patrons exiting and entering bleachers during a band performance. Entrance/Exit Monitors Responsible for the entry and exit of spectators into the stadium. Will review prepaid (electronic) tickets, and receive physical tickets from paying spectators. Facilities Clean-up Help guide students to finish tidying up the stadium and school grounds, collect cones, signs, etc. Facilities Set-up/Tear-down Help the Facilities crew set up/tear down the facility, including setting up tables, moving and opening/closing canopies, signs, cones, etc. First Aid Assist the HHSBPA First Aid Chair. Hospitality Provide refreshments for volunteers, dignitaries, and judges. Hospitality Liaison Team Assist hospitality by making food/provision runs though out the day. Need to use personal vehicle. Pit Parking Direct parking of trucks. Popcorn/Snow Cones Make popcorn or snow cones, and keep supplies stocked. Popcorn/Snow Cones Cashier Handle cash/make change or use HHSBPA provided device or for credit card transactions. Assist in filling orders and maintaining supply. Registration Assistant Help register the bands as they arrive at HHS for the event. Stadium Marshal Helps the bands get on/off the field by the band gate and the stadium gate to ensure smooth transitions of the performers. Ticket Sales Responsible for selling entry tickets to the event. HHSBPA will provide credit card devices. Volunteer Check-in Assistant Help with volunteer check-in.

Pictures and Recordings for the Herndon High School Band PICTURES & recordings Pictures - Check out our Photo Gallery on Flickr !! All of the pictures are reduced in size to save on storage space and to make them load quickly on your computer. Their reduced size won’t be noticeable on your monitor; but, if you want to print them, they may not turn out so well. Not to worry, though. Just send an email to photography@herndonband.org with the name of the album and we’ll pass the note to the right photographer who will give you the original high-resolution file. Marching Band Videos – Click here - Password Required Video Password is the same password to access Forms Page. If you do not have a PW please contact Communications@herndonband.org to request password (please provide relationship to band) Concert Recordings Page - Click Here - Password Required Use the PW to enter this page The downloads are free, but we ask that you consider a PayPal donation of $10 All Downloads are legal and free for personal use only. Collect them all!! Archives Pictures : If you receive an error message use Google Chrome as your Internet browser 2021 - 2022 Gallery 2020 - 2021 Gallery 2019 - 2020 Gallery 2018 - 2019 Gallery 2017 - 2018 Gallery 2016 - 2017 Gallery 2015 - 2016 Gallery 2014 – 2015 Gallery 2013 – 2014 Gallery 2012 – 2013 Gallery 2011 – 2012 Gallery 2010 - 2011 Gallery 2009 - 2010 Gallery 2008 - 2009 Gallery 2007 - 2008 Gallery 2006 - 2007 Gallery 1968 - 2006 Gallery Videos : 2016 Cherry Blossom Parade - Video courtesy Robin Handy - Video courtesy Mina Phillips - Video courtesy Robert Brown - Video courtesy of Mar y Wilkerson - Video courtesy of Tim Barton - Video courtesy WJLA 2015 Electrical Parade at Disney World - Video courtesy Tim Barton - Video courtesy Laura Pels - Video courtesy Robert Brown - Video courtesy Donna Perlish 2015 Color Guard at Disney World - Courtesy Ashley Gaffey 2015 Indoor Drumline - AIA Finals at Robinson HS- Courtesy Patricia Adams 2015 Jazz Band - at Chantilly HS – Courtesy Tim Barton 2014 Drumline – HHS Pep Rally – Courtesy Jacob Reeves 2014 Indoor Drumline - AIA Finals at Freedom HS - Courtesy Andrea Eliason 2013 Indoor Drumline – Courtesy Jacob Reeves 2013 Pearl Harbor Parade – Courtesy Jacob Reeves 2013 USS Missouri, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii – Courtesy Jacob Reeves Marching Band Video's prior to 2012 2012 Marching Band – JMU Performance 10/20/2012 – courtesy Adrian Morgan 2010 Marching Band - Homecoming Parade/Game 1984 Marching Band - at VBODA assessment, 10/27/1984 If parents want to order the DVDs of the AIA Prelims 2015 , click on this link Drumline order package 3 (PSRA division), Guard order package 5 (CGSRA2 division). Interested in submitting pictures or videos? Let us know by sending an email to Communications@herndonband.org . In 1966, 67, and 68 the band recorded three albums involving the concert band and the stage band under the direction of Mr. James Swinney. They can be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NmgGxg_rF-Il-iFor6eKaS4vcpbDYFiN?usp=sharing Recollections of recording the album by Luther Nossett, Class of 69: The band was a much more modest operation in the 1960s, but we did OK for a group of country kids. The sound quality of the recordings is not the best, but these were recorded in the auditorium, not in a sound studio. A few of the members have made careers in the music industry as band directors, performers, and one sound engineer in Nashville. There are stage band recordings with should bring some smiles, since some of the songs are reflective of the popular tunes of the day.

Tag Day Concert Program 2024 Program. The concert is free for the community to thank them for supporting the band. < HOME DOWNLOAD > Application is no longer available.

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