About Herndon Guitar

Ensembles

Guitar students are required to bring their guitars for each class day; overnight storage is not currently available.

Guitar 1

Students learn the fundamentals of guitar. Guitar instruction emphasizes basic technique, reading, progressions, and music theory. Instructional literature is selected from classical and contemporary repertoire.

Guitar 2

Students continue to develop skills on the guitar. Guitar instruction emphasizes intermediate technique particularly finger picking, reading, progressions, and music theory. Instructional literature is selected from classical and contemporary repertoire.

Guitar Ensemble 1 (Guitar 3)

Students in this course form one of the representative performing guitar ensembles for the school. Emphasis is placed on the sequential development of advanced technical skills and on the study of related literature. Based on successful completion of sequential concepts for each level, students will continue as specified in course level. After-school rehearsals and performances are required of all students as a part of the course.

Guitar Ensemble 2 (Guitar 4)

Students in this course form the representative performing guitar ensemble for the school. Emphasis is placed on the sequential development of advanced technical skills and on the study of related literature. Based on successful completion of sequential concepts for each level, students will continue as specified in course level. After-school rehearsals and performances are required of all students as a part of the course.

Director: Chris Cunningham

Mr. Cunningham began the guitar program in 2002 while serving as Associate Director of Bands (1999–2006). The guitar program has since grown to 140 guitar students and is widely considered one of the finest guitar programs in the county, region, and nation. The Herndon Guitar Ensembles have earned “Superior” ratings exclusively at adjudications and competitions as well as numerous first place trophies.

Mr. Cunningham has also served as band director in many of our pyramid schools, including Herndon Middle School, Clearview Elementary School, and Aldrin Elementary School. Prior to coming to Herndon, Mr. Cunningham taught general music at Centreville Elementary School and Groveton Elementary School, and he was the Director of Bands at Strasburg High School and Signal Knob Middle School.

Mr. Cunningham earned his Bachelor of Music from West Virginia University in 1997.

Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham reside in Bluemont, VA, with their six dogs and baby daughter.

Performances

Two guitar concerts are performed during the school year in the HHS Auditiorium. In addition, guitar students occasionally are called upon to accompany performmers in the HHS music department (choir, etc...).

Festivals & Events

Guitar students will participate in local and regional competitions, as well as perform throughout the community in various events and fund raisers. In addition, advanced ensembles travel out of state to compete in a regional festival.