John Herndon

Percussionist, educator, and composer, John Herndon (b.1985), is the newly appointed Associate Director of Bands at West Forsyth High School in Cumming, GA.

At West Forsyth Mr. Herndon will assist with all administrative and instructional aspects of the band program’s concert and marching ensembles, teach music technology, and direct the percussion ensembles.

Prior to his appointment at West Forsyth Mr. Herndon received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia, taught for five years at Woodland High School in Stockbridge, GA, and for six years at Milton High School in Milton, GA. While at Milton the marching band was a consistent Bands of America Regional Finalist, the indoor drumline was a two-time GIPA Champion and WGI World Championship Finalist, and the percussion ensemble hosted Jim Casella as an artist in residence as well as performed at the GMEA In-Service Conference as a featured ensemble.

As a composer, Herndon has several concert percussion works available through Tapspace Publications which are widely performed at competitions, clinics, and concerts. His pieces Toboggan and Great and Small have been selected as Editor’s Choice by music distributor J.W. Pepper. Toboggan and Begin Transmission have both been performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.

John is a three-time recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence for outstanding contributions to bands and band music. He serves on the Georgia Indoor Percussion Association executive board and he is an educational artist with Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets.

John lives in Alpharetta, GA with his wife, Jessica; their twins, Taylor and Calvin; their cat, Canon; and dog, Hiccup.