The Robinson Band program serves more than 400 students. The bands have won virtually every honor and award available to middle and high school bands in it's 50 year history. We aim to guide students and instill in them life skills, respect, fun, responsibility, leadership, excellence, and a life-long love of music. Contributions from our community, extended families, neighbors and friends are vital to our mission of inclusivity and achievement.

Our Story

Since James W. Robinson Secondary opened it’s doors in 1973, the band has earned every award and accolade available to American school bands. The middle and high school bands have marched in inaugural parades, performed many times at Virginia Music Educators Association conferences, commissioned new works from young composers, been an Invited Band at the Music For All National Concert Band Festival four times, earned the Sudler Flag (HS) twice, the Sudler Silver Cup (MS), earned the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association Honor Band distinction 34 times, and has been honored as a VBODA Hall of Fame school. Robinson has been invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic International Band & Orchestra Conference three times, the middle school in 1989 and 1993 and the high school in 1994. We are honored and delighted for the high school band to have been invited to perform on the featured stage at Midwest once again in December 2024. This is the most prestigious invitation in the world of school bands & orchestras, at an event that draws more than 18,000 attendees from all over the world.

Beyond their musical accomplishments, however, the Robinson Band program aims to guide students and instill in them life skills, respect for one another, responsibility, leadership, excellence, and a life-long love of music while also having fun. We believe every student has a place here. There is no “bench” in band - everyone is a starter, and everyone is crucial to the success of the entire group. We also believe that all students, regardless of financial status, should be afforded an equitable experience in our music program. Contributions from our community, extended families, neighbors and friends are vital to our mission of inclusivity and achievement.

We provide all Robinson Band students with excellent instruments, uniforms, costumes, equipment, and supplies and we offer our student opportunities to work with world-class music teachers, composers, arrangers, drill writers, and choreographers. This means that the operating expenses of the bands are always high. Student fees, car washes, selling pies, citrus, and White House Ornaments, and our annual Tag Day are our traditional sources of income. However, with our invitation to The Midwest Clinic, commissioning new works, and replacing old instruments, we are incurring costs of more than $70,000 on top of our usual expenses. We need your help to reach our goals and give our students the best possible experiences. Thank you for your support.