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Wind Ensemble

 

The Herndon High School Wind Ensemble is composed of the most advanced student-musicians and is open by audition only.  It includes members from all four classes at Herndon High, meeting for one period daily and usually one evening per week during the concert season.

 

The Wind Ensemble’s achievements over the past several decades have been most noteworthy Beginning in 1978 with a Grand Championship in Florida, the band has continued to excel on the competitive stage, have won over 38 First Place or Grand Championship awards.  Among its highlights are twice retiring the Governor’s Cup at the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (a six year participation involving more than 200 concert bands from every state in the nation), many Gold Medal awards, and outstanding memories of superb music performances.

 

In 1991, the Herndon Wind Ensemble was the only band selected for the Sudler Flag of Honor.  This award, endowed by Louis and Virginia Sudler and sponsored by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, was established as a means of honoring the nation’s finest high school concert band programs.  Through a rigorous selection process involving a seven year commitment, only 36 high school bands have been selected since its inception.

 

The Wind Ensemble consistently achieves “Virginia Honor Band” recognition and receives superior ratings at all-district band festivals.  They have been officially recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Fairfax County, and the Town of Herndon for their music excellence.

 

Wind Ensemble Awards by year
 

2021-2022 School Year

  • District Assessment, South Lakes HS, Excellent rating

​

2018-2019 School Year

  • District Assessment, Wakefield HS, Superior rating

** Earned 2019 Virginia Honor Band Designation

​

2017-2018 School Year

  • ​District Assessment, Wakefield HS, Superior rating

** Earned 2018 Virginia Honor Band Designation

 

2016-2017 School Year

  • ​District Assessment, Washington-Lee HS, Excellent rating

 

2015-2016 School Year

  • District Assessment, South Lakes HS, Excellent rating

​

2014-2015 School Year

  • District Assessment, Washington & Lee HS, Superior rating

** Earned 2015 Virginia Honor Band Designation 

 

2013-2014 School Year

  • District Assessment, Wakefield HS, Superior rating

** Earned 2014 Virginia Honor Band Designation 

 

2012-2013 School Year

  • District Assessment, South Lakes High School, Superior rating

  • OrlandoFest, Universal StudiosWind Ensemble – 1st place, Superior rating

** Earned 2013 Virginia Honor Band Designation

 

2011-2012 School Year

  • District Assessment, Madison High School, Good rating

  • Spring trip to Chicago, IL

 

2010-2011 School Year

  • District Assessment, Washington-Lee High School, Good rating

  • Festival DisneyWind Ensemble – Superior rating (95.3), third place

 

2009-2010 School Year

  • District FestivalWind Ensemble – Superior rating (second part of the Virginia Honor Band)

  • Trump Towers in New York City

** Earned 2010 Virginia Honor Band Designation

 

2008-2009 School Year 

  • District FestivalWind Ensemble – Superior rating (second part of the Virginia Honor Band)

  • Myrtle BeachWind Ensemble – Superior rating, 2nd place in class and three outstanding soloist awards

 ** Earned 2009 Virginia Honor Band Designation

 

2007-2008 School Year

  •  Virginia Music Educators Annual Conference

  • District FestivalWind Ensemble – Superior rating, with many superb accolades regarding their performance

  • OrlandoWind Ensemble – Superior rating, 2nd place (and an outstanding soloist award)

 

2006-2007 School Year

  •  District Band FestivalWind Ensemble – Superior rating

  • Williamsburg, Fiesta-ValWind Ensemble – Superior rating and overall Best in Class, Herndon received 4 outstanding soloists awards! Overall Grand Champions.

 

2005-2006 School Year 

  • District Band FestivalWind Ensemble – Superior Ratings

  • NYC Trip (Heritage Festivals)Wind Ensemble – Score: 98,99,99; Superior Rating, Overall Grand Champions

 

2004-2005 School Year

  • District Band FestivalWind Ensemble– superior ratings

  • Festival Disney, Orlando FloridaWind Ensemble – Superior rating and Best in Class.

 

2003-2004 School Year 

  • Virginia Music Educators State Conference

  • District XI Band FestivalWind Ensemble – superior ratings

  • Heritage Music Festival in Atlanta, GAWind Ensemble – 1st place and Grand Champion (Gold Medal), Adjudicator’s Award, Herndon High School also received the Grand Sweepstakes Award

 

2002-2003 School Year

  • Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center for the 2003 American Bandmaster’s Association National Convention in Baltimore, MD.

  • All American Band Festival, Hard Rock Cafe, Orlando, FloridaWind Ensemble –  Superior rating, 1st in its class, and overall festival Grand Champion!!!

 

2001-2002 School Year 

  • National Music Educator’s Conference in Nashville, TN

  • Festivals of Music in Nashville, TN

 

2000-2001 School Year 

  • Orlando All-Star Music FestivalThe Wind Ensemble – Superior Rating, Best in Class, Grand Champions

  • District Band FestivalWind Ensemble – Superior Rating in Grade VI

 

1999-2000 School Year 

  • District Band FestivalWind Ensemble – Superior Rating in Grade VI

  • University of Maryland, College Park, MD

  • Bands of America Festival in Indianapolis, IN

 

1998-1999 School Year 

  • District IX Band FestivalWind Ensemble – Superior RatingWinner of the WGMS Young Artists in the Community (2nd year)

  • Concert at Landmark Mall, Montreal, CanadaWind Ensemble – First place and gold medal

  • National Association of Secondary School Principals

  • Toast of the Town

 

1996-1997 School Year 

  • District XII FestivalWind Ensemble – Superior Rating

  • 2nd annual Atlanta International Band & Orchestra Conference, Atlanta, GA

  • National Invitational Band Festival

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