A special award of
The John Philip Sousa
Foundation
Todd Summers is the Director of Bands at Henry Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California where he has been for the last 16 years of his 26-year career. His previous experience was in Ohio at Miller HS, Tri-Valley HS and Franklin Heights HS. He also spent a year as a graduate assistant at Ohio University.
Summers earned his BA in Music Ed. from Capital University, his MA in Conducting from Ohio University and his MA in Educational Admin. from Santa Clara University.
In 2010 Summers was named Henry Gunn HS Teacher of the Year. In 2011he was named the CMEA Bay Section Instrumental Teacher of the Year. In 2013 He took the Henry Gunn HS Orchestra to the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
The Bandworld Legion of Honor was established in 1989 to honor, over the course of a year, eight of the finest band directors in our business.
Recipients have taught for at least fifteen years, have maintained a very high-quality concert band program, and have contributed significantly to the profession through dedication to bands and band music.
Each is honored at the annual Sousa Foundation awards ceremony during the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.
Chairman of the Legion of Honor Committee is Terry Austin, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Summers has served the profession as Vice-President of the Santa Clara County BDA as well as President of the CMEA Bay Section.
Under his leadership, Henry Gunn HS ensembles have established themselves as a perennial Superior Rating machine since 1999.
Summers attributes much of his success to” being a lifelong learner: Working with mentors, being a mentor, continual professional development through conferences, coursework and working with colleagues at my school.”
When he is asked about his philosophy Summer says,”Teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. I hope that I can instill a lifelong love of learning and appreciation for music in my students. I try to share my passion for learning every day with my students and colleagues.”
HIs colleagues hold him in high regard as someone who has moved the case for music far beyond the walls of Henry Gunn HS into the greater California area.
