Herndon High School hosted the Herndon Showcase of Bands 2022 on September 24. It is the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative's (VMBC) NOVA Regional all-day Marching Band competition. Twenty-seven bands joined The Pride of Herndon and performed at the 25th Annual Showcase kicking off the Marching Band competition season. The ticketed event took place at the Herndon High School Stadium. 

"I love getting to meet people from other bands and watch their performances," said Call Inman, senior. There are always so many unique concepts." 

According to Herndon High School Band Director Kathleen Jacoby, the event is titled "Showcase of Bands" because it showcases the incredible work that students from across Virginia have put into their performances this season. 

Tasneem Abdul-Rashid, junior, must have agreed. Tasneem said, "I can't wait to see what other bands put their sweat and tears into. Marching band is an activity that takes a lot out of you, so to see what others have created is a really fun experience." 

Jacoby said that she believes bands keep returning because The Pride of Herndon makes their experience a priority. Freshman CJ Doan agreed, saying, "I have been volunteering since elementary school, and I look forward to it every year." 

Gustavo Bonilla added, "Showcase is such a fun experience and great way for us as band members to bond and connect and make new friendships while working together."

"Showcase isn't just about receiving adjudicator feedback or rankings, but about performing for a hometown crowd made of supportive families and community members," Jacoby said. "We are the largest competition in Northern Virginia and tied for the second largest competition in all of Virginia," she said.

 Many students expressed similar comments that it is more than winning. "As the drumline captain, I'm looking forward to hearing all of the drum lines and seeing what I can add to make us better," said Michael Fullerton, junior.

"I can't wait for Showcase because it allows bands to learn from one another while connecting to members of other bands. Showcase is a part of the process that reminds bands around our area that we are all here to support one another." Jason Coleman, junior.

1st Place winners in the six groups competing from smallest to largest bands are as follows: Group 1- Broadway HS, Broadway, VA; Group 2 - Park View HS, Sterling, VA; Group 3 - South County HS, Lorton, VA; Group 4 - Dominion HS, Sterling, VA; Group 5 - James Madison HS, Vienna, VA; and Group 6 - Lightridge HS, Aldie, VA.

The HHS band was established in 1947, making it the oldest high school band in Fairfax County. Its growth has paralleled that of the town, which is now a thriving community with a station on the Silver Line of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The band expanded from its original fifteen musicians to more than one hundred fifty instrumentalists. Under the direction of Jacoby, it consists of the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Indoor Drumline.

Scheduled Bands at Herndon Showcase of Bands 2022

Group 1
Brooke Point HS - Stafford, Va
Kettle Run HS - Nokesville, VA
Falls Church HS - Falls Church, VA
Broadway HS - Broadway, VA
Tuscarora HS - Leesburg, VA
Annandale HS - Annandale, VA
Loudoun Valley HS - Purcellville, VA
Strasburg HS - Strasburg, VA
Group 2
James Wood HS - Winchester, VA
Park View HS - Sterling, VA
Group 3
Alexandria City HS - Alexandria, VA
Colonial Forge HS - Stafford, VA
South County HS - Lorton, VA
Riverside HS - Leesburg, VA
Stone Bridge HS - Ashburn, VA
Group 4
West Potomac HS - Alexandria, VA
Centreville HS - Clifton, VA
South Lakes HS - Reston, VA
Wakefield HS - Arlington, VA
Dominion HS - Sterling, VA
Group 5
John Champe HS - Aldie, VA
James Madison HS - Vienna, VA
Westfield HS - Chantilly, VA
WT Woodson HS - Fairfax, VA
Group 6
Langley HS - Mclean, VA
Freedom HS - South Riding, VA
Lightridge HS - Aldie, VA
Exhibition
Herndon HS - Herndon, VA