The Herndon High School Band has been a part of Northern Virginia since 1947. The oldest established high school band in Fairfax County had its genesis when dedicated parents and citizens convinced Vladamir Johnson, a Russian interpreter and part-time music teacher from Washington, D.C., to rehearse a group of fledgling musicians in the rural town of Herndon.

The same program served as an inspiration and model for the instrumental music groups later formed in Fairfax County schools. Today, these program expose thousands of young people to the unique enjoyment of making music together and participating in concerts, festivals and competitions of various categories at the county, state and national level.