Seniors Receive Top Band Awards

At last week’s band concert, seniors Ben Schirmeier and Maya Davis were recognized with national awards.

Ben received the John Philip Sousa Band Award, the highest nationally-recognized award for high school band students. It honors superior musicianship and outstanding dedication to the band program. In addition to participating in every ensemble the Potomac band program has to offer, Ben has been a dedicated percussionist in the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and Percussion Ensembles, is a member of our VPAC music program, has placed in VBODA All-District Band and Wind Ensemble the last two years, was the first-ever Potomac student to represent our school in the All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble, and just last week placed in the Virginia All-State Concert Band. Ben has made an incredible impact during his high school band career.

Maya was recognized with the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, given in recognition of outstanding musical achievement by a high school student in the field of jazz, as demonstrated through superior musicianship, character, individual creativity, and dedication to the program. Maya has played trumpet in our band program since the fifth grade. In addition to being a reliable soloist and leader in the ensembles, she has performed with our jazz combo at admission events and all over campus.

Congratulations, Ben and Maya!