East Band Leader Named Director of the Year

The following is a press release from the West Chester Area School District.

Lorraine E. Huddy, Director of Bands at West Chester East High School, has been named as this year’s “Cavalcade of Bands Marching Band Director of the Year.” She was nominated and voted on by the 120 member directors of the Cavalcade of Bands.

Scott Litzenberg, who heads up the organization, offered, “As President of the Cavalcade of Bands, I will be presenting Lorraine with this award at a future concert at West Chester East High School.”

The Principal at East, Dr. Richard Dunlap, offered his insights saying, “We are so proud of Lorraine and her efforts with the East Marching Band. She is clearly very deserving of this award. Her peers see the work she does with our students, and the students’ performances that her peers evaluate say everything about Lorraine.”

Information provided for Lorraine’s nomination included these insights: Lorraine Huddy’s dedication and commitment to the WC East Marching Band was quite evident this season. Under her direction the band not only excelled in competition, but showed tremendous growth throughout the year. Most importantly, Lorraine reminds us that a high quality and meaningful marching band program focuses on the development of students - on a personal level and as performers - teaching life skills that will help enable them to attain excellence in all aspects of their lives.

In learning of the award, Lorraine said, “I am so proud of the East High School marching band students and staff for the success they experienced this past season; it is without a doubt that this recognition would not be possible without their determination and hard work! I am extremely blessed to have such a great job and doing what I love!”

While she has been a Cavalcade Director for five years now, East has been competing in Cavalcade competitions for more than ten years. The organization has grown in membership to represent 120 schools from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. East annually hosts a Cavalcade of Bands competition at the end of September.

Lorraine went on to say, “Along with our district's mission to inspire students to achieve their personal best, I believe that marching band provides an extracurricular outlet for students to gain not only musicianship and leadership skills, but also to aid in cultivating lasting friendships, fostering the importance of teamwork and individual responsibility, and taking pride in developing a quality production over a long span of the school year.”

Please join the East High School Band community, as well as the entire West Chester Area School District, in congratulating Lorraine for earning this prestigious designation among her peer Directors.