Clyde Hughes:  

As of this date, March 13, 2024, I am still, for months now, going through everything that I possess to sort, organize, throw away, donate, and the like…..a long, time-consuming process . I never knew I had collected so much “stuff” over my lifetime, and, it is already proving to be quite an undertaking. At this time, I am staying very busy with my instrumental music clinic work, judging band & orchestra festivals and assessments (concert & marching bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles, etc.)...averaging hundreds of bands and orchestras a year between all of the different types of festivals, and guest conducting select/auditioned bands. This Spring festival season (2024) started for me on March 1-2 at West Potomac HS, Alexandria, VA, judging the Virginia Band & Orchestra Association District 10 annual assessments for 21 middle & high school concert bands . The next event will be with Festivals of Music out of West Chester, PA. They operate band festivals throughout the US…this one being in VA Beach, VA on March 22nd. I will have 14 festivals with them this season through June 7th. I’m stayin’ busy, huh??? It can be physically tiring, but I am fortunate being 74 years old to still be asked to adjudicate these events. Many times my former Hermitage HS students who are parents of band/orchestra students in their respective school programs will stop by my desk and say…..”remember me??”…..”my son/daughter is performing with this group.” It lets me know how long I have been in this business, but too, it is great that they are seeing to it that their children get the same musical education that they received themselves….encouraging!! I am currently (and have been for 10 yrs.) President of the Alpha Chi Chapter (Virginia) of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. Several nice things have happened to me over past years. In June, 2017, I was the first “PANTHER” inducted into the then newly formed Hermitage HS Bands & “Marching Panthers” Hall of Fame. On April 9, 2016, I was inducted into the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) Hall of Fame during the All-Virginia Band and Orchestra weekend held at George Mason University. This was quite a moment for me....being the first director/conductor inducted from Central Virginia. In my acceptance comments, I told the VBODA membership that I first owed this to every student with whom I have had the pleasure of working over the many years (30) at Hermitage HS, thanks to their tenacity, never give up attitudes, and willingness to always strive for excellence. I also mentioned the “super talented & dedicated staff” of John Krebbs, Richard Whitt, Jeanne Buford, and John Sarvay....most of them for 30 years (John Sarvay “doubled” with me my last 2 years in order to take over the program upon my retirement in June of 2002)...the tremendous supporting parents, the administration, school board, and entire Hermitage community. They all assisted me in many ways during my career. Another great moment for me (Nov. 23, 2013) was when I was presented with the Philip J. Fuller Service Award by the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) for outstanding contributions to instrumental music education...a total shock to me presented at the Virginia Music Educators Conference at The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA. I was also inducted into the Alpha Chi Chapter (VA)/Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity Hall of Fame in 2013. In May of 2009, I was selected to receive the George Mason University College of Visual & Performing Arts Distinguished Alumni Award from the GMU Alumni Association ....that was also a total shock and a well kept secret by the faculty with whom I worked. As many of you know, I had not planned to work at all after I retired from Hermitage HS where I was fortunate to have worked with the absolute finest young people on the face of this Earth, but George Mason University was looking for some "veteran experience" to work with their music education majors, so I was one of two individuals here in VA asked to join the faculty on a "part-time", or "adjunct" basis. I had told them when they called me that I was in no way interested in accepting the position due to the fact that I had “lived” at Hermitage HS for 30 years and wanted to take a long rest and enjoy some of my favorite pastimes. I did agree to go up to the university and listen to them explain what they wanted me to do. After talking with the chairman of the music department, I realized and felt as though I needed to "give back" all that I had learned over the years to those that were entering the field to give them the opportunity to enjoy their positions as much as I did mine. So, there I was at MASON, "workin' hard", so to speak. I commuted from Richmond 2-3 times a week...the university was very kind in arranging my schedule such that I did not have to travel I-95 every day of the week. I worked with some extremely talented faculty and felt very fortunate to be included in that company, all thanks to those great students that I had at Hermitage over 30 years. The university experience ended due to a State of Virginia financial crisis when millions upon millions of dollars were held back from all of the state university budgets for 2009-10...those of us that were adjunct, or extra, could not be retained. It was a phenomenal experience for me for seven years, teaching instrumental methods and conducting my own ensemble, the Symphonic Band...one of which I enjoyed greatly. Since then, I guest conduct, adjudicate, and assist other bands w/clinics more now than ever before. It's very tiring with getting older....now at 74 years young....that’s right...74 (where did all that time. go??), but, I learn from each and every one of them as to where we stand in instrumental music education and where we are headed, more especially after all of the disruption & modifications to instruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still “rearing its head” after every holiday when families travel to visit family & friends, being in close quarters with each other. Everything that I continue to learn as the days, months, and years go by,...Expand for more