Congratulations to these two Gladiators on advancing to All-VA Band Auditions! This is an incredible achievement, and they will be auditioning at JMU on Saturday, February 28. Best of luck to our two selected students!
Ryleigh Clark (11) | Eb Clarinet
Sean Mahon (10) | Trombone
Congratulations to Sean Mahon (trombone) on being accepted into the District V Jazz Honor Band! This event will take place on Monday, March 16 at Bridgewater College. Sean will be the FIRST Riverheads HS student to represent the school at this event EVER!
About the RHS Bands
Established in 1962 with the school's founding, the Riverheads High School Band Program is an open and inclusive community where members strive to uphold and maintain traditions of excellence while furthering their individual musicianship abilities and gaining team-building experience. Located just north of Greenville and directly off I-81 & Rt. 11, the RHS Band Program represents one of the five high school bands in Augusta County, Virginia. The band represents RHS at their home football and basketball games and parades throughout the Shenandoah Valley, as well as in various local/district honor bands as a member of the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA)'s 5th District. The band regularly performs concerts in the Layman Auditorium of Riverheads HS.
The RHS Concert Band consists of about 25 instrumentalists and is open to students who began playing prior to their time at RHS. Consisting of woodwinds, brass, string basses, and percussion, the ensemble peforms 2-3 concerts per semester in the Layman Auditorium. The band annually travels to District V Concert Assessment to receive a rating from an esteemed panel of adjudicators. Members also have the opportunity to audition for and represent RHS in various honor bands.Â
The RHS Marching Band is an outdoor competitive performing ensemble made up of 8th-12th graders. Most members have been playing their instrument/spinning for at least two years prior to joining. The group consists of winds, percussion (drumline & front ensemble), and colorguard members. The Marching Gladiators regularly meet from July through November, building up a full field show, performing at football games and competitions, and frequently representing Riverheads HS.
The RHS Jazz Band will begin rehearsing in February 2026, meeting on Thursday afternoons to prepare for a few concerts throughout the middle of the calendar year. The ensemble aims to perform at the RHS Spring Concert, District V Jazz Assessment, and the Fall Gladiator Gala. Students may also choose to audition for the District V Jazz Honor Band in January 2026. More info about this ensemble will be coming soon; stay tuned!