OCOEE, Fla. — Summer break is just about over, but some Central Florida students have been marching to the beat of a different drum while out on break, thanks to Ocoee High Director of Bands Bernie Hendricks, Jr., this week’s A+ Teacher. 

What You Need To Know

  • Bernie Hendricks, Jr. is the director of bands at Ocoee High School

  • His students excel in band and in the classroom

  • Hendricks says he loves the energy the students bring

  • Click here to nominate an A+ Teacher

They’ve been hard at work, taking part in a marching band camp before the school year ahead even starts.

“I am responsible and in charge of making sure that our band program runs smoothly, our kids are educated and ready to perform and learn music and musical concepts,” Hendricks says. “It’s not just a marching band. It is a concert band, a jazz band. We have beginning band. We teach eurythmics class.”

During the summer break, though, it was all about learning the fundamentals for one special night Hendricks says everyone looks forward to during the school year, and that’s Friday night football.

“We bring the energy. We bring the life,” he says. “We have fun, and I think that fun exudes to our football team when we’re playing and they’re out there dancing around.”

Hendricks says the students keep him young.

“I’ve been at this for 27 years, and somebody told me last night. ‘When did you start teaching? When you were like 7?’ ”

His students are learning a lot more than just music and marching, Hendricks says.

“It’s not just about playing music,” he says. “These are lifelong lessons that these kids learn about how to work well with a team, how to work well with each other.”

His band students excel in the classroom too, Hendricks adds.

“We’ve had six or seven — I think it’s seven — valedictorians that were full-time band kids,” he says. “When I say full time, I mean they were a concert band, jazz band, marching band. I guarantee you that’s not an Ocoee thing. That’s a band thing around Orange County and around the state of Florida.”

Hendricks is astounded by his students.

“Their energy. The passion. Not for music. Their passion for life is just amazing,” he says. “But that is the No.1 thing that makes me come to work with a smile on my face every day. Because I get to work with awesome young people.”