ABOUT US

 

The bands

Located in Fairfax County, Virginia, J.E.B. Stuart High School is proud to have a thriving band program. The Stuart Bands are committed to excellence at all levels, and are grounded in a belief that high-quality musical performances are a product of a much more important process. Making music can be a uniquely powerful experience, one that provides students with as a variety of skills and experiences that will serve them for the rest of their lives. The program consists of two concert bands, a jazz band, a percussion ensemble, and the Marching Raiders.

 

The Stuart Bands are flourishing, being named a “Virginia Honor Band” four out of the last five years (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008). The marching band has nearly doubled in size in four years, while still earning consistent “Superior” ratings from judges and winning their class at recognized competitions, including the prestigious JMU Parade of Champions. Both the Concert Band and the Wind Ensemble have received overall ratings of "Superior" at the District X Band Festival for the last three years. The Stuart bands have a pending commission with celebrated composer John Mackey for a world premiere performance scheduled for spring 2009.

 

The director

Doug Martin is in his fifth year as Director of Bands at J.E.B. Stuart High School. In this position, he teaches the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band and Percussion Ensemble, as well as the International Baccalaureate (“IB”) Music class. He also serves as chair of the Performing Arts Department, overseeing a department offering choir, orchestra, guitar and theatre courses. Prior to his appointment at Stuart, he held similar positions at Mount Vernon and Annandale High Schools.

 

He has served as the representative for District X to the Virginia Band & Orchestra Director’s Association as well as the chair for District X to the Virginia Music Educator’s Association. He was part of the writing team for the revision of the FCPS Music Program of Studies, and he has served on the FCPS Music Curriculum Advisory Committee for many years. He has served as an adjudicator at a variety of events, including marching, concert and jazz band festivals.

 

He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education magna cum laude from Florida State University, and his Master’s in Music Education with a focus in Instrumental Conducting from George Mason University, where he graduated with the Distinguished Graduate Student award from the Department of Music. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife Jackie, a licensed Kindermusik Educator and yoga instructor, and their two pugs, Coffee and George.