The Maryland Band Directors Band is one-of-a-kind in that it comprises almost entirely professional music educators. It was created in 2011 by Dr. Vincent Patterson, teachers from the Montgomery County Public Schools, and David Phillips of the Montgomery College Arts Institute, in conjunction with Montgomery County Public Schools music teachers and administrators. The Seneca Valley instrumental music program has been under the direction of Mr. Adam Stephens since 2014, and has grown to become a critical advocate for music in and around the Germantown community. Seneca Valley instrumental ensembles actively perform and host outreach events in local elementary and middle schools, and often perform for local civic events and in nursing homes. Students in the program have performed at Jazz festivals in Washington, DC, Orlando Florida, and Chantilly, Virginia. Sceneca Valley ensembles consistently earn high ratings at festivals, including multiple superior ratings in district adjudications. The instrumental music program promotes music performance in the community by hosting a number of artists from around the world, including Edmar Casteneda, Sybarite5 (both courtesy of BlackRock Center for Arts), the US Marine Band Brass Quintet, the US Navy Band, and the US Navy Sea Chanters. Students regularly receive distinction in local, county and state ensembles, and over $20,000 in music scholarships have been awarded to graduating instrumental music students in the last two years.
Broadcast In: English Duration: 0:52:43