Each year at the Virginia Music Educators Association’s Annual Professional Development Conference, one well-deserving music educator is presented with the VMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award. The recipient must be nominated by a group of their peers, before being rigorously reviewed by the selection committee.
This is the most prestigious award bestowed on any music educator in the state of Virginia. Nominated by three past-presidents of the Virginia Music Educators Association, the 2015 recipient of the VMEA Outstanding Music Educator is Mr. Uley Daniels, Director of Bands at Holston High School in Damascus, VA.
Mr. Daniels has served as Director of Bands at Holston High School for 30 years. He is an avid performer, clinician, and adjudicator at both the local and state level. Under his direction, the Holston High School Band consistently receives superior ratings at marching and concert assessments. The band has been named a twelve-time Virginia Band and Orchestra Director’s Association Honor Band, signifying consistent superior performance ratings at all state assessments.
Designation as an Honor Band is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a band program by the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director’s Association. The Holston High School Band has performed at parades and other special events in the Tri-Cities, Chicago, New York, Walt Disney World, and various other locations around the country under the direction of Mr. Daniels.