The RBM Band Program has upheld high standards of excellence throughout its existence since the school opened in 2002. The band has most recently earned a Superior rating at the 2025 Concert Assessment, Jazz Assessment, and earned it's inaugural recognition as a 'Virginia Honor Band.' 

Our students regularly place in the All-District Concert Bands and All-District Jazz Band and earn high marks at the Solo & Ensemble Festival. Our students have represented River Bend by travelling and performing at Hershey Park, Busch Gardens, and Kings Dominion over it's long history. The band regularly performs for the community and is a proud representation of Sterling, VA and Loudoun County Public Schools.

We hope your student will take part in a fantastic program that will teach them about music, collaboration, communication, hard work, and so much more! 

Questions for future Ravens and 'Band at the Bend' Members can be answered on our "Future B@TB Member" page! 

Please reach out to either Band Director if you have any questions about Band at the Bend!

Ms. McHugh is beginning her 5th year of teaching and 3rd year at River Bend Middle School. Ms. McHugh began her musical career at River Bend as a student playing trumpet. She continued her music education through RBMS and PFHS, and then went on to receive her Bachelors of Music at James Madison University. While at JMU, Ms. McHugh played with numerous ensembles, including the JMU Wind Symphony, Brass Band, Chamber Orchestra, and the Marching Royal Dukes, where she had the opportunity to march in the 2018 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! 

After teaching General Music at Meadowland Elementary for 2 years, Ms. McHugh decided to return "home" to teach at River Bend. Ms. McHugh will be teaching Band for the 2025-26 school year.

Ms. McHugh also serves as a marching band staff member and Pep Band Director for Potomac Falls High School.

Ms. McHugh is a member of NafME, VMEA, and VBODA

McHugh Schedule:

A1: Plan/Chorus 8 Support

A2: Band 8

A3: Plan/Orchestra 8 Support

A4: Brass 7/Brass 7

B5: Brass 6/Woodwinds 6

B6: Resource 8/United Sound

B7: Woodwinds 6/Percussion 6

B8: Percussion 6/Brass 6

Mr. Durgin is in his 6th year of teaching and his 3rd year at River Bend Middle School. Mr. Durgin grew up in Sterling, attending Potowmack Elementary, River Bend Middle, and graduated from Potomac Falls High School in 2016. (Go Panthers!) After high school, Mr. Durgin attended Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA and graduated in May of 2020 with a Bachelor's in Music Education. His first job was at Battlefield Middle School, in Spotsylvania County, VA. While there, he increased retention rates and created exciting clubs for his students, including a chamber music club, a pep band, a percussion club, and a Jazz band. He also had the opportunity to work with Chancellor High School as a marching band staff member.

Mr. Durgin is excited about coming home to LCPS and the RBM family! Along with being a band director at RBM, he also serves as a marching band staff member for Potomac Falls High School and Tuscarora High School. He enjoys spending free time with his wife (band director at Tuscarora) and daughter (born April 2024) as well as his dog, Branson.

Mr. Durgin is a member of NAfME, VMEA, VBODA, LEA, & RBM PTA.

Durgin Schedule:

A1: Woodwinds 7/Woodwinds 7

A2: Band 8

A3: Percussion 7/Plan

A4: Plan

B5: Resource 6/Woodwinds 6

B6: Resource 8/United Sound

B7: Woodwinds 6/Percussion 6

B8: Percussion 6/Brass 6