HMS Band has numerous awards that are handed out to it's most committed students. The special honor of the "Eric Hirt 'Spirit of Herndon' Award" and the "Outstanding Musicianship Award" are the top Awards that are presented to musicians at the end of year concert.  

All District Participants 

The District XII All-District Band is a band comprised of the best middle school instrumentalists in our district.  Auditioning students play major scales, the chroma,tic scale, a prepared etude and sight-reading for a panel of judges.  The top scorers earn a seat in the band.  We are proud of the students who represented us in this competition.

Solo & Ensemble

Solo & Ensemble Festival takes place each year at a local middle school. Students learn solos or how to play in small ensembles. 

The Outstanding Musicianship Award

The Outstanding Musicianship Award is earned by eighth grade band members who have, among other things, an “A” in band for all 4 quarters, have auditioned for All-District Band, have earned a Superior or Excellent rating on a Grade 3 or higher solo at Solo & Ensemble Festival, who have also earned membership into the All-District Band AND who demonstrate the highest standards of citizenship on a daily basis in band.

The Master Musicianship Award

The Master Musicianship Award is earned by seventh grade band members who have, among other things, an "A" in band for all 4 quarters, have auditioned for All-District Band, have earned a Superior or Excellent rating on a solo at Solo & Ensemble Festival, and who demonstrate the highest standards of citizenship on a daily basis in band.  

In 2009, the Eric Hirt Spirit of Herndon Award was established, to be given to the band student who best exemplifies the character and dedication of a dear band friend, Mr. Eric Hirt. 

Eric was a band parent who passed away unexpectedly in October, 2008. His daughters, Erica and Melinda, were in band when Ms. Bonneau started teaching here in 2001. Eric was someone the band program and Ms. Bonneau could count on. He encouraged her and helped her with everything from computer issues to running Solo & Ensemble Festival and Middle School Band Festival. Nothing was too big or too small for Eric. He cared so much for the students and recognized the importance of maintaining a strong and viable band program. Even after his daughters left the program, Eric was here year after year doing whatever he could to help, and never wanted any recognition. Eric was the information guy, the go-to guy, and a man of the highest integrity. He is missed, but will never be forgotten.

To honor Eric, we established the Eric Hirt Spirit of Herndon Award to recognize the band student who best displays the qualities that Eric exemplified.