Sherando High School Band marches in 2024 Newtown Heritage Festival

Congratulations to the Sherando High Scool band department members for achieving the award of 2023-2024 Virginia Honor Band. This marks the sixth consecutive eligible year in which our students have achieved the award for Sherando High School.

The Sherando High School Band Department is one of the largest (145 members) and most successful organizations at Sherando High School, and has been so throughout the school’s history since 1993. It consists of the Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Indoor Percussion, Indoor Color Guard, and opportunities for small chamber ensembles. All ensembles consistently earn Superior and Excellent ratings at regional festivals and competitions.

Parents are ecstatic about Band Director Joel Cosner. Many believe he has created an atmosphere where students are motivated to achieve. His music program provides students several avenues to participate and find themselves. Cosner understands how to prepare for competitive events to include time commitment, required equipment, and the logistics of the performances. Cosner's enthusiasm is infectious and it keeps students engaged. Students come to school an hour early each day to participate in their music group. He also spends countless hours after school and on most weekends with the students. This leadership and determination is appreciated by parents who recognize teenage students require discipline to succeed in challenging activities during their high school years.

Students are also connected with instructors and local professionals to further the education and musical excellence of each individual student. In addition, all of the students, parents, and staff members work collaboratively in an incredibly effective community approach that not only enriches the musical experiences of the students, but also enriches their entire high school experience.

Nothing is better than being a Sherando Warrior, and being a member of the historic and award-winning Sherando Band!

Sherando is now a 22-time Virginia Band and Orchestra Director's Association (VBODA) Honor Band. The Virginia Honor Band recognition and award was the result of a project and survey assigned to Vincent Tornello in the spring of 1979 by incoming VBODA President Daniel Schoemmell. The survey was in conjunction with the establishment of a state marching band festival. As part of the end result of such a festival, the recognition of bands displaying a comprehensive program was the intent of the Virginia Honor Band Award. Bands achieving superior ratings at the state marching festival and district concert festival were to be recognized with the highest honor that can be bestowed upon bands by the VBODA.

The Sherando High School Band Boosters is an organization with the sole purpose of supporting the Sherando Band. The booster support begins where the school support ends. The boosters provide assistance for the band director, music and show support, uniforms, equipment, guard director, percussion director, transport equipment to events, scholarships, and band trips.