Blue award ribbon with the VMEA (Virginia Music Educators Association) logo on a white center circle.The Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) has awarded 10 schools from Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) with the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award. This award is the highest recognition given to school music programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia and recognizes excellence in band, orchestra, and choral performance.

Each year, secondary band, orchestra, and choral ensembles participate in the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association District Concert Assessment and the Virginia Choral Directors Association Stage Assessment. During these assessments, student ensembles perform for a panel of adjudicators who assess students on their performance and provide feedback based on specific categories such as tone, intonation, rhythm, technique/diction, balance/blend, and artistry/musicianship. To qualify for this award, all disciplines in a school must receive a rating of "Superior" at their respective state music performance assessments.

“Earning the Blue Ribbon Award means we are unified as a department in achieving excellence. It also builds camaraderie and teamwork among our students, as we all want to see others succeed. And, perhaps most importantly, it builds a tradition,” explained Dennis Brown, orchestra teacher at C.D. Hylton High School.

Dr. Annamarie Bollino, supervisor of the arts for PWCS, applauded the accomplishment, noting that the award reflects both student achievement and instructional excellence.

“PWCS is proud of our VMEA Blue Ribbon schools. This award reflects the outstanding achievement of our student musicians and educators who consistently demonstrate musical excellence. Earning Blue Ribbon distinction requires superior performance ratings across band, orchestra, and choir. This recognition speaks to the strength, consistency, and support of the comprehensive music program across the entire school community.”

Congratulations to the following schools and music educators that earned the 2026 VMEA Blue Ribbon Award:

Battlefield High School

Music Teachers: Michael Britcher, Brian Kelly, Edward Scully

Top Performing Ensembles:

  • Band: Battlefield Wind Ensemble
  • Choir: Advanced Treble Ensemble
  • Orchestra: Battlefield Philharmonia

Benton Middle School

Music Teachers: Sarah Bryk, Kyle McCoy, Miranda Nash, Scott Oden, Leeanne Stachour

Top Performing Ensembles:

  • Band: 8th Grade Band
  • Choir: 8th Grade Treble Choir
  • Orchestra: Cougar Chamber Orchestra

Bull Run Middle School

Music Teachers: Alicia Brodt, Elisabeth Deavers, Connor Haupt, Christopher Short

Top Performing Ensembles:

  • Band: 8th Grade Band
  • Choir: 8th Grade Mixed Chorus
  • Orchestra: 8th Grade Orchestra
     

C.D. Hylton High School

Music Teachers: Dennis Brown, Dwight Fontenot, Tommy Tutwiler

Top Performing Ensembles:

  • Band: C.D. Hylton Symphonic Band
  • Choir: C.D. Hylton Troubadours
  • Orchestra: C.D. Hylton Sinfonia Orchestra
     

Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School

Music Teachers: Ben Bernstein, Timothy Grant, Keri Staley

Top Performing Ensembles:

  • Band: Colgan Wind Symphony
  • Choir: Colgan Chamber Ensemble
  • Orchestra: Colgan Philharmonic Orchestra

Gainesville Middle School

Music Teachers: Steve Ballas, Alexandra Bertke, Michael Persons, Alton Peters

Top Performing Ensembles:

  • Band: 8th Grade Band
  • Choir: Advanced Mixed Ensemble
  • Orchestra: Gainesville 8th Grade Orchestra

Osbourn Park High School

Music Teachers: Dominick Izzo, Stephen Kelsey, Ashley Radabaugh, Ben Fuller, Don Magee

Top Performing Ensembles:

  • Band: Wind Ensemble
  • Choir: Madrigals
  • Orchestra: Chamber Orchestra

Patriot High School

Music Teachers: Katie Highfill, Liz Selby, Katherine Williams

Top Performing Ensembles:

  • Band: Patriot Symphonic Band
  • Choir: Patriot Singers
  • Orchestra: Patriot Chamber Orchestra

Potomac Shores Middle School

Music Teachers: Ryan Burr, Emily Davies, Myles Matalavage, Amy Ruhlman, Christine Rushmore

Top Performing Ensembles:

  • Band: Symphonic Band
  • Choir: 8th Grade Treble Choir
  • Orchestra: 8th Grade Orchestra

Woodbridge High School

Music Teachers: Caelyn Davis, Emily Matalavage, Jessica Leggett, Taryn Wood

Top Performing Ensembles:

  • Band: Woodbridge High School Wind Symphony
  • Choir: Woodbridge Singers
  • Orchestra: Sinfonietta Orchestra