The School Board recently recognized staff and students for various music awards.
Student awards for Senior Honors Choir and all-state band, chorus, orchestra
The first recognition was for the students who have been named to one of the following groups:
- The Virginia Music Education Association’s:
- All-State Band
- All-State Chorus
- All-State Orchestra
- Senior Honors Choir
- And the American Choral Directors Association’s National Honor Choir
The all-Virginia band and orchestra ensembles and the all-Virginia chorus are composed of students who pass multiple auditions to reach the high level of performance in the Commonwealth. Students must first audition at the district level and earn acceptance in their respective ensembles. They must then audition a second time and be accepted for participation in their respective strand. In addition, Honors Choir students have been selected as deserving choral students by the VMEA Robert Stamback Honors Choir Memorial Award Scholarship Committee.
The Virginia Music Educators Association Senior Honors Choir is a highly selective, elite choral ensemble comprised of 12th grade students from across Virginia. It’s considered one of the most prestigious choir experiences for high school vocalists in the state.
The ACDA National Honor Choir is an audition-only honor choir that takes place every two years as part of the American Choral Directors Association’s national conference. The selection process is highly competitive, with over 5,000 students auditioning for a limited number of spots. To be chosen means that the students have distinguished themselves as top performers and choral musicians.
The students were recognized in groups by the schools they attend, with their music directors and principals to join them.
Cox High School:
Cox’s principal is Dr. Michael Kelly, and the band director is Mike Lane. The students being recognized are:
- Connor Lane, All-Virginia Band
- Tommy Crossley, All-Virginia Band
Kellam High School:
Kellam’s principal is Dr. Ryan C. Schubart and the band director is Cameron Baker. The student being recognized is:
- Bobby McNaughton, All-Virginia Band
Landstown High School:
Landstown’s principal is Dr. Paula Johnson and the choir director is Jeremy Yoder. The student being recognized is:
- Richie Le, All-Virginia Chorus
Ocean Lakes High School:
Ocean Lakes’ principal is Dr. Claire R. LeBlanc. The band director is Katelyn Proffitt, and the chorus director is William Boardman. The students being recognized are:
- Theodore Everett Keith, All-Virginia Orchestra
- Kelsey Lee, All-Virginia Chorus
Princess Anne High School:
Princess Anne’s principal is Mr. Todd Tarkenton. The band director is John Boyd and the orchestra director is Alex Kelly. The students being recognized are:
- Noah Gee, All-Virginia Band
- Lydia Li, All-Virginia Orchestra
- Cameron Spears, All-Virginia Orchestra
Salem High School and the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School:
Salem’s principal is Mr. Carey Manugo, the academy coordinator is Sharon Byrd and the VPAA Choral Director is Corbin Pinto. The students being recognized are:
- Olivia McGee, All-Virginia Chorus, Senior Honors Choir
- Adrianna Crain, Senior Honors Choir
- Niara Ashburn, Senior Honors Choir
- Gabrielle Duesberry, Senior Honors Choir
- MacKenzie Estrada, All-Virginia Chorus, National Honors Choir
- Alice Shoup, All-Virginia Chorus, National Honors Choir
- Nyles Deloatch, All-Virginia Chorus, National Honors Choir
- Alexis Gonzales, National Honors Choir
- Madison Salsbury, All-Virginia Chorus
- Reagan Ramsey, All-Virginia Chorus
- Alyssa Johnson, All-Virginia Chorus
- Emma Howard, All-Virginia Chorus
- Kayla McFee, All-Virginia Chorus
- Evan Wisner, All-Virginia Chorus
- Izaya Choice, All-Virginia Chorus
Tallwood High School:
Tallwood’s principal is Dr. Ryan O’Meara and the band director is Timothy J. Rossettini. The band students being recognized are:
- Dasean McLendon, All-Virginia Concert Band
- Robert Pereras, All-Virginia Concert Band
Program of Honor: Honor Band and Honor Orchestra Awards
To earn this award, ensembles must receive a superior rating at the Virginia Band and Orchestra’s Concert Assessment and demonstrate the strength of their music program through various indicators, including VBODA Jazz Assessment, Student Selection for Regional and District events, and Superior Ratings at VBODA Marching Assessment, to name a few. The Program of Honor bestows the title of Virginia Honor Band or Virginia Honor Orchestra to those who successfully earn this achievement, which is the highest honor awarded in the Commonwealth. This is the inaugural year for this award for String Orchestra programs.
Virginia Honor Orchestra directors:
- From Kempsville High School, Dr. Natalia Goodloe
- From Princess Anne High School, Alex Kelly
- From Salem Middle School, Laura Parker
Virginia Honor Band directors:
- Cox High School, Mike Lane
- Kellam High School, Cameron Baker
- Kempsville High School, Brian Webb
- Landstown Middle School, Justin Thornton
- Ocean Lakes High School, Katelyn Proffitt
- Old Donation School, James Reid
- Princess Anne High School, John Boyd
- Salem High School, Andrew Smith
- Tallwood High School, Timothy Rossettini
Blue Ribbon Schools
The Virginia Music Educators Association’s Blue Ribbon Award is a prestigious recognition awarded to select schools that demonstrate exceptional commitment and achievement in music education. Schools earning this award received superior ratings for band, chorus and orchestra at district assessments. The award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of music educators and their students and serves as a symbol of excellence in music education.
Brandon Middle School:
- Band director Amy Pallett, chorus director Shelby Worst and orchestra director Lindsey Crook.
Corporate Landing Middle School:
- Band director Amy Shaffer, chorus director Victor Hugo and orchestra director Lee Anne Blaisdell.
From Cox High School:
- Band director Mike Lane, chorus director Andrea Manaskie and orchestra director Kevin Fields.
Great Neck Middle School:
- Band director Heather Smith, chorus director Lou Ann Meade and orchestra director Erin Sanford.
Green Run High School:
- Orchestra director Josh Poe, band director David Hopson and chorus director Ryan Duncan.
Kempsville High School:
- Band director Brian Webb, chorus director Karen Nemeth and orchestra director Natalia Goodloe.
Landstown Middle School:
- Band director Justin Thornton, chorus director Amanda Ellis and orchestra director Jeff Bailey
Ocean Lakes High School:
- Band director Katelyn Proffitt, chorus director William Boardman and orchestra director Angela Henry
Old Donation School:
- Band director James Reid, chorus director Ashley Landon and orchestra director Paul Baird
Plaza Middle School:
- Band director Manuel Hernandez II, chorus director Erin DuBose and orchestra director Sarah McGhee
Princess Anne High School:
- Please welcome band director John Boyd, chorus director Katie Davis and orchestra director Alex Kelly
Princess Anne Middle School:
- Band director Theodore Young, chorus director Anita Lynn and orchestra director Danielle Fagan
Salem High School:
- Band director Andrew Smith, chorus director Lynne German and orchestra director David Boone
From Salem Middle School:
- Band director James Barnard, chorus director Maya Williams and orchestra director Laura Parker
Percussion Ensemble – 2024 VMEA Conference Performance
The Tallwood High School Percussion Ensemble was honored for participating in the 2024 VMEA Conference Performance.
Being invited to perform at a state music conference is a significant achievement, representing recognition as one of the premier performing ensembles in the Commonwealth. This distinction is not given to all groups — ensembles must undergo a competitive application process, highlighting the exclusivity and prestige of selection. Performing before a large and influential audience at such an event is a powerful acknowledgment of a group’s exceptional musical excellence and high standing. It is truly one of the highest honors an ensemble can receive.
Tallwood’s director of bands is Timothy J. Rossettini. Participating student musicians include Isaiah Brown, Mathias Colson, Brandon O’Rourke, RJ Pereras, Lucas Repinski and several more musicians.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade and Ceremony
Salem High School VPAA’s vocal and instrumental programs were selected to participate in the National Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade commemorating the 80th Anniversary of World War II. This opportunity is unlike any other, as they joined with bands and choirs from across America, led by the Marine Forces Pacific Band, in saluting our veterans, active-duty military members, and their families as a part of the Grand Finale event, the 80th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Commemoration.
The instrumental director at Salem is David Boone, and the vocal director is Corbin Pinto.
PAHS – Virginia Marching Band Cooperative Champions
Princess Anne High School High School Fabulous Marching Cavaliers won the Class 2A Virginia Marching Band Cooperative State Championship.
Alex Viado is the drum major; Lauren Clark is the field captain; and John Boyd is the band director. This is the fifth state championship the band has won in the past six years.
2025 Best Communities for Music Education, VBCPS
Virginia Beach City Public Schools has once again been named a “Best Community for Music Education – 2025” by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.
This is the 16th year VBCPS has been awarded this designation.
The award program celebrates outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment to and access to music education.
VBCPS is one of only 7% of school districts across the nation to receive this prestigious award. In Virginia, we are one of 23 school divisions to receive this recognition, representing 17% of all school districts in the state.
Along with all our music students and staff, recognized are:
- Crystal Lewis-Wilkerson, director of K-12 and Gifted Education
- John Brewington, coordinator of fine arts
- Meredith Brookman, instructional specialist
