Percussionist, educator, and composer, John Herndon (b.1985), is currently in his fifth year serving as the Assistant Director of Bands at Milton High School in Milton, GA.  

At Milton, Mr. Herndon assists with all administrative and instructional aspects of the band program’s concert and marching ensembles, teaches a quirky music appreciation course that covers everything from Princess Enheduanna to Prince, and directs the percussion ensembles and the Milton High School Indoor Drumline. Under his direction the Milton High School Indoor Drumline has been a Winter Guard International Regional finalist every year since 2014 and, in 2016, they were named the Georgia Indoor Percussion Association Percussion Scholastic World Class champion and a WGI World Championship finalist.

Prior to his appointment at Milton Mr. Herndon spent five years as the Assistant Director of Bands at Woodland High School in Stockbridge, GA, a role he entered after graduating from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education.

As a composer, Herndon’s concert percussion works are published by Tapspace Publications and are widely performed at competitions, clinics, and concerts. His piece, Toboggan, has been selected as an Editor's Choice by music distributor J.W. Pepper and was performed in 2016 at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Conference.

John is a recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence for outstanding contributions to bands and band music. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the Percussive Arts Society, and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. He is currently serving as the Georgia Indoor Percussion Association member-at-large and he endorses Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets.

John lives in Alpharetta, GA with his wife, Jessica; their twins, Taylor and Calvin; and their cat, Canon.