Brian Bersh - Awards

Teaching Accolades

2021 – National Board Certified Teacher: Music–Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood–Band
2021 – DeLucia Award, The Mockingbird Foundation. Top prize, in recognition of demonstrated passion for music education; teaching in an exceptional, innovative manner; impacting community in a substantial way.
2018 – Named to Conn-Selmer VIP Program.
2018 – APS Career Advancement Program: Distinguished Achievement, quality professional practice/leadership.
2017 – Arlington Magazine Spotlight: 6 Great Teachers.
2016 – Yorktown High School Teacher of the Year.
2016 – Elizabeth Campbell Award for Notable Achievement in the Arts – The American Association of University Women – Arlington. In recognition of significant advocates for the arts in Arlington.
2015 – Quarterfinalist, GRAMMY Foundation Music Educator Award: Selection from 4,500+ nominations.
2014 – Virginia Commonwealth University Student Impact Award.
2014 – Citation of Excellence, The National Band Association: outstanding contribution to bands & band music.
2013 – Recipient, Wolf Trap Grant for High School Performing Arts Teachers. Grant money used to support a commission, Voyage, by Bryce Owen for the Yorktown Symphonic Band.
2013 – Kennedy Center’s “Music in Our Schools Month” music director winner.

Selected Ensemble and Program Recognitions

Yorktown High School was recognized four times as an Honor Band, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon bands by the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association.
2017-2021 – Assisted with application process as APS was honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
2019 – Virginia Music Educators Association and the Conference Small Ensemble Selection Committee selected YHS Jazz Combo to perform for Colonnade Performance at the VMEA Professional Development Conference.
2015, 2019 – Symphonic Band & Percussion Ensemble performances at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival & Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Ensemble Festival, Indianapolis, IN.
2016 – The Foundation for Music Education National Jazz & Wind Band Honors: Winner for VA State.
2015 – Yorktown High School received the Support Music Merit Award from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education, chosen as one of 120 schools out of 2,000 applications.
2014 – Marching Band, 1st Place, US Bands Marine Corps Invitational, Annapolis, MD. Recipients of the Esprit de Corps Award - given to the band best exemplifying pride, professionalism and patriotism.
2014 – Gold Rating, Adjudicators Award, & Festival Sweepstakes Award for Overall Program (included Combined Bands, Percussion Ensemble, and Jazz Band) at the Nashville Heritage Music Festival.
2013 – YHS named GRAMMY Signature Schools semi-finalist for outstanding commitment to music education.
2013 – YHS Music Department received the Blue Ribbon School Award, awarded by Virginia Music Educators Association for Superior performance from its top ensembles.
2013 – Yorktown Big Band selected to perform at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage & Awarded Best Overall Band at the New York City Heritage Festival.
Organized performance tours and overnight travel for 1,000+ students to Indianapolis, IN; Philadelphia, PA; Mercersburg, PA; Boston, MA; New York, NY; Orlando, FL; Myrtle Beach, SC; Nashville, TN; Richmond, VA.

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