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The JMU School of Music Music Education Area is proud to announce the 2024 JMU Virginia Music Educators Association Awards! We present this award to a JMU undergraduate or graduate music education alumnus or alumna who has taught for at least ten years and who exemplifies JMU's commitment to musicianship and pedagogy. The recipient demonstrates: Excellence in music teaching, including the development of comprehensive, innovative programs and curricula Service to and sustained leadership in the profession of music education Continuing relationship with and support of the music education program at JMU Kathleen Jacoby has taught high school band since graduating JMU in 2004, most recently at Herndon High School for the past 17 years. Kathleen was a 2023 Washington Post "Teacher of the Year" finalist and the 2022 Fairfax County Public Schools Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year. She has served as an elected member of the VBODA Executive Board since 2020. She is a Conn Selmer VIP and a member of Phi Beta Mu. In 2021, she was awarded the WBDI "Scroll of Excellence," and in 2019 the Stars Over Dulles "Leadership in Arts" Dulles Chamber of Commerce designation. In 2014, she received 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." Under Kathleen's direction, Herndon represented the United States at the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France, has twice represented Virginia at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Parade in Honolulu, Hawai'i, and is the only band to ever perform at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters. In 2014 and again in 2019, 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 106, and the Disney Electric Light Parade in April 2014. Mrs. Jacoby coordinates an extensive community network to secure funding for ALL students to participate in these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Credit: JMU Website

The band marched proudly down Elden and Lynn streets in downtown Herndon during Saturday's Homecoming Parade. The weather was brisk and the mood was electric for this year's theme "Out of this World". The Herndon community has long been a loyal supporter of the band through individual donations, business sponsorships, and food donations. The Tag Day Concert and the Homecoming Parade are two prime examples of how the band gives back to the community through music and creative performances by the most historic marching band in Fairfax County. Following the parade, the band switched gears to perform at halftime for the Hornet's Homecoming football game. Students, families, and 2 Alumni classes were treated to a 42- 14 victory and a final on field exhibition of "Where the Wild Things Are". Videos of the Homecoming Parade and the halftime show can be found on the Pride Cam page here .

-by Susan Worrell The Herndon High School Band is excited to invite the community to a special free concert as a gesture of gratitude for their recent Tag Day Fundraiser. This event will take place on October 30th at 7:00 PM in the Herndon High School Auditorium, located at 700 Bennett Street in Herndon. The concert is a heartfelt thank you to the community for its support. "We sincerely appreciate the public's donations," said band director Mrs.Jacoby. "Tag Day contributions are vital for funding our programs, music, uniforms, instrument maintenance, performances, and hiring instructors." The award-winning Herndon High School Band offers a comprehensive music program that includes Marching and Jazz Bands, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Indoor Drumline, and Indoor Guard. Maintaining such an extensive program can be costly, but the band aims to make participation accessible to every student. The upcoming Tag Day Concert promises something for everyone in the audience. The Wind Ensemble will perform crowd pleasing selections, while the Marching Band will showcase a unique medley of nature-inspired songs, enhanced by percussion and electronic synthesizer sounds that evoke the outdoors. The color guard will portray woodland sprites, symbolically connecting with nature through their choreography. “Please join us for Tag Day Concert”, drum major Pedro Vidal Vasquez, said. One of the highlights is that the entire marching band lines up along the side and middle of the auditorium and plays from there! It's actually a very immersive experience - it’s like surround sound!” Mark your calendars and bring your friends and family for an evening of wonderful music and celebration of community spirit. See below for the program: Established in 1947, award-winning Herndon High School Band is rightly known as “The Pride of Herndon” and celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2023. It has grown from an original 40 musicians and 6 majorettes to 200 students strong. The band program includes Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, Indoor Drumline and Indoor Guard. The band has not only achieved myriad awards and honors and represented internationally - but instilled a love of music in countless students. Further information can be found at www.herndonband.org

< Back Previous Next Guard Chair Marcy Brizzolara guard@herndonband.org Board The Guard Chair provides general Assistance and Coordination for Guard Activities. They are a Communication Resource between the HHSBPA, the Color Guard, and Color Guard parents. They act as an Advocate for the Color Guard within the school and community, and assists with the purchase of materials and supplies (silks, costumes, accessories, weapons, etc) when needed in coordination with the vendors, Guard Coach(es) and Band Director. The Guard Chair maintains existing and future uniform inventory, including cleaning, fitting, etc. These tasks also apply to the Guard Chair during the Winter Guard/Indoor Guard season. Attends all monthly Board meetings. For the Winter guard season, the Guard chair may also attend all competitions, coordinate transportation to same, and attend Championships as needed or possible. Previous Next

< Back Previous Next Chaperone Chair Shadow Needed Wendy Cummins chaperone@herndonband.org Board Coordinates chaperone volunteers for all marching band trips and spring trip. Works with Band Director to choose trip activities and deal with special student circumstances. Works closely with Transportation Coordinator to ensure that buses and trucks are available for each trip. Workload shared with Transportation Coordinator. Attends all trips, unless their own child is not performing. Attends all HHSBPA Board Meetings (usually held 1st Monday of each month) Must be comfortable with spreadsheet, powerpoint and word applications. Full documentation of all trips from previous 10 years is available for reference. Previous Next

Ensembles Select Ensemble 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. READ MORE Color Guard The HHS Color Guard is part of the HHS Marching Band. Color guards or flag corps are teams of performers who perform choreographed dances and routines with various equipment to enhance and interpret the music of a marching band or drum and bugle corps show. READ MORE Indoor Drumline The Herndon Indoor Drumline is our indoor competitive percussion unit. We practice twice weekly throughout the winter and early spring and we will perform at four weekend contests in February and March. READ MORE Jazz Band The Jazz Band is a small ensemble designed to promote the study of jazz literature, emphasizing improvisation and styles of the jazz idiom. Students meet after school once marching season has ended and receive a half credit for course participation. READ MORE Percussion Ensemble Percussion Ensemble meets every other day to rehearse as both an independent small ensemble and as a supplement to the Symphonic Band percussion section. READ MORE Symphonic Band The Herndon High School Symphonic Band generally performs between Grade III-V literature READ MORE Symphonic Winds The Herndon High School Symphonic Winds is our newest ensemble, open by audition only and performing VBODA Grade IV-VI literature. READ MORE 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. READ MORE