VTHS Band Program:

 Director:     Max Taylor          

 

The Vernon Township High School Bands have been recognized as representing one of the most outstanding band programs in the state of New Jersey.  Two curricular bands meet every day, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble are under the direction of Mr. Max Taylor. 

Mr. Taylor with the help of the marching band staff directs the Vernon Viking Marching Band.  A graduate of West Chester University this is Mr. Taylor's fourteenth year at Vernon Twp. High School and eighth year as director of bands.

Both curricular bands perform three concerts yearly, A Fall Concert (for Wind ensemble), A Holiday Concert (for Concert Band), A Pops Concert and a Spring Concert.  The bands also present many other concerts through the year, and appear in evaluative festivals. 

Extra-Curricular ensembles the band program offers for students to become more involved include Jazz Express (the VTHS Jazz Band),  the Viking Marching Band, Clarinet Choir, Flute Choir, Brass Choir, Saxophone Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble.

Accomplishments and highlights of the VTHS band program:

  • Vernon Viking Marching band participated in Disney's Magic Kingdom Parade three times.  Twice in Orlando, FL and once in Anaheim, CA. 
  • Vernon Viking Marching band has in 2008 and again in 2012 participated in Walt Disney World's Spectro Magic/Electric Light Parade Parade in Orlando, Florida.
  • Vernon Symphonic Band has, in 2008, performed on the Galaxy Theater Stage in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.
  • Vernon Symphonic Band has, in 2012, performed at the Water Side Stage in Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.
  • Jazz Express has performed in many venues including the House of Blues in Los Angeles, CA, and Chicago, Il, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio, twice on the City Walk Stage in Orlando, Fl., and performed concerts at both Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA and Tampa, FL.
  • Vernon bands have performed in Chicago, Il; Sandusky, Ohio; Williamsburg, Virginia; Washington D.C and Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Vernon bands worked with many clinicians over the years, and have participated four times in Disney's "Instrumentally Yours" workshop. 
  • Vernon bands have received "superior" and "outstanding" ratings at many festivals.