Richard Bergman, a native of New York City, New York, is a graduate of the University of Maryland where he received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 1967 and his Master of Education Degree in 1975.  He began his teaching career in Prince George's County, Maryland where he taught both junior and senior high school. From 1971-1977 he directed the Crossland High School Symphonic Band which he developed into one of the finest ensembles in the Mid-Atlantic States.  He was the band director at Herndon High School from 1978 until his retirement in 2009.  Under his direction the band program at Herndon has received national recognition for its excellence of performance in clinics, concerts, festivals and competitions.

Among its many appearances the band has performed at the Mideast Music Convention, Pittsburgh, Pa. in 1985,  twice at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Convention Chicago, Ill. in 1987 and 1995, and The Music Educator's National Conference 53rd National In-Service Convention, New Orleans,  La. in 1992 and the 63rd convention held in Nashville, Tennessee in 2002. In addition the band has performed for the South Carolina University Music Convention, three times for the the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Convention and in 2003 performed for the prestigious American Bandmasters Convention in College Park, Maryland where they received a three minute standing ovation.

Under Mr. Bergman's direction the HHS band has received over fifty first place and grand champion awards at competitions it has participated in since 1982.  Mr. John Paynter, chairman of the music department at Northwestern University once described the Herndon bands as being among the finest and most musical ensembles in the United States.  In 1991 the Herndon Wind Ensemble was named by the John Philip Sousa Foundation as that year's only recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor. This is the highest national honor any concert band program can receive.

Mr. Bergman is a member of Phi Mu Alpha, The Virginia Band and Orchestra Director's Association, Music Educator's National Conference, National Band Association, Percussive Arts Society, National Association of Jazz Educator's and the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers. He was president of the Maryland Band Directors Association and was also editor of their solo and ensemble and concert list manual.  In 1995 Mr. Bergman was elected into the American Bandmasters Association. He is also a recipient of the Sudler Order of Merit.  Mr. Bergman has received six Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, and has actively served as a mentor for new directors and has lectured at universities and clinics on music education and performance.

On numerous occasions the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia and the Board of Education in Prince George's County, Maryland have cited Mr. Bergman for his outstanding contributions to music education.  Included in these honors are ten "Commendations of Excellence" from the Fairfax County Board of Education. In addition, his bands have been recognized for their excellence by the legislatures of Virginia and Maryland.  He has been honored and three Who's Who of American Educators publications from1994-2005.

Along with his many teaching duties, Mr. Bergman has served as an active adjudicator, clinician, consultant, and guest conductor in Pennsylvania., Florida, Maryland, South Carolina, Texas, Florida, West Virginia and  many other Mid-Atlantic, Southern and Northeastern states.

Rich Bergman

Conductor and Music Director

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Rich Bergman
Music Director