Under the direction of David Webb
From Forest, Virginia


Jefferson Forest High School takes its name from Thomas Jefferson’s study retreat, Poplar Forest, and stands on land once owned by Mr. Jefferson.  JFHS is one of 3 high schools in the Bedford County Public School system.  The school is located in the town of Forest in the north western part of Bedford County, approximately 5 miles from the City of Lynchburg.  The Forest community is among the fastest growing in central and southwest Virginia in terms of population, industry, and commerce.  The 1360 students currently enrolled at JFHS are offered a comprehensive curriculum designed to academic achievement in multiple areas.  Students have the opportunity to enrol in a wide variety of honors and Advanced Placement classes, or to participate in dual enrolment between JFHS and the Central Virginia Governor’s School for Science and Technology or Bedford Science & Technology Center, and are encouraged to explore and study fine and performing arts, languages, and technology.  The mission of JFHS is to provide the best possible opportunities to meet the educational needs of each student in a safe, well-equipped, well-maintained, and supportive environment where students, staff, parents, and community members are involved in all aspects of school life.  High expectations regarding academic achievement, critical and creative thinking skills, integrity, fairness, and equality are emphasized in order to maximize educational opportunities for each student.  Jefferson Forest High School has been recognized as one of America’s 1000 Best High Schools by Newsweek magazine and The Washington Post.

The Jefferson Forest High School Band program is comprised of three concert bands, marching band, and indoor winter percussion and visual ensembles.  Students also have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement Music Theory.  There are currently 197 students enrolled in band classes.  As the program has grown over the past few years, the JF Bands have been recognized for outstanding performance in all areas, including consistent “Superior” ratings earned by the concert and marching bands, and recognition as a Virginia Honor Band.  The Cavalier Marching Band has performed in the Lord Mayor of Westminster’s New Year’s Day Parade, London, twice—January 1, 2002 and January 1, 2006—and has been invited to make a third appearance in the London Parade on January, 1, 2012.  The Jefferson Forest High School Wind Symphony (the band program’s premier concert ensemble performed at the 2005 and 2010 Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, and were selected as one of fourteen high school bands from across the United States to perform in the prestigious 2012 Music For All National Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana in March 2012. 


David Webb is currently in his fourteenth year as Director of Bands at Jefferson Forest High School.  Prior to taking his current position at JF, Mr. Webb served as band director at Linkhorne Middle School in Lynchburg, VA from 1992-98, and Marion County High School in Jasper, TN from 1990-92.  During his tenure at Jefferson Forest, the program has grown from 115 students to the current enrolment of 197.  His duties include conducting 3 concert bands, arranging for the marching band, coordinating and directing the marching band, and teaching AP Music Theory.  He teaches private euphonium lessons & has served as Adjunct Faculty at Lynchburg College.  Mr. Webb has served as a clinician and adjudicator in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.  Mr. Webb graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Education with certification in Instrumental Music.  Mr. Webb and his wife Karen live in Lynchburg.