Band Director: Mr. Stephen H. Rice - received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Kentucky in 1988.  While at UK, Mr. Rice was an active participant in the concert and jazz bands and the trombone ensemble.  During his last two years in the nationally recognized Wildcat Marching Band, he served as a marching instructor and the band librarian.  In his senior year, he was appointed student leader of the Wildcat Basketball pep band.  Mr. Rice also participated in the University Choristers, the premier vocal ensemble at UK and served on the staff of the Kentucky University Summer Band Camp.  His studies included composition with Joseph Baber, composer in residence at UK, and instrumental arranging with Dr. Richard Domek, Dean of the College of Fine Arts.Mr. Rice completed his undergraduate education at UK with student teaching at Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky. The Lafayette band is under the direction of J. Steven Moore, nationally known drill writer and developer of Advantage Showare, the leading drill-writing software. After graduating from UK, Mr. Rice began his teaching career in Lee County, Kentucky. The next year, he moved on to direct the Washington County High School Band. While at Washington County, one of his bands placed fifth in its class in the Kentucky State Marching Band Championships, a tremendous achievement. Later, at James Madison University, Mr. Rice served as graduate assistant to Dr. Patrick Rooney and the university band program and as a guest clinician at the JMU Summer Band Camp. He was a drill writer and arranger for the Marching Royal Dukes and studied arranging with composer Robert W. Smith. Mr. Rice received a Master of Music Education from JMU in 1993.  He is the principal bass trombone for the Fairfax Wind Symphony.

Steve Rice has been the band director at West Potomac High School since 1993 and has served as the VMEA District Ten Chairman. Under his direction, the West Potomac Band has received superior ratings at VBODA festivals and has received the Virginia Honor Band Award six times.

The band director provides the students with a full musical education through teaching, testing, rehearsal, and performance. He plans and conducts each rehearsal, as well as hires the auxiliary staff members and supervises their instruction. The director selects and orders all music and plans all musical aspects of the performances. Students are auditioned, graded, and disciplined by the director. In addition, the director provides the schedule of events, oversees the rental of instruments, and prepares budget recommendations for the WPBPO.

Assistant Band Director: Mr. Steven Jacoby - We are pleased to welcome a new addition to West Potomac High School Band – our new assistant band director.  He comes to us from Woodbridge Middle School in Prince William County.  He is a graduate of West Chester University, where he was both drumline captain and then drum  major of the “Incomparable” Golden Rams Marching Band.  After college Mr. Jacoby was the band director at Pope John XXIII Regional High School, where, under his tutelage, the Concert Band received “Superior” ratings at band festivals.  Mr. Jacoby taught and was on the marching band staff for eight years at Vernon Township High School as percussion instructor and arranger, drill tech, and assistant band director.  Mr. Jacoby has played with the Ridgewood Concert Band (soloists included Joe Alessi, Alan Baer, and Phil Smith) and is now a member of the Fairfax Wind Symphony.

Office Assistant: Mrs. Penny Bauer - our office assistant, is responsible for maintaining the music library, rental instrument contracts, and medical form file. In addition, she also handles other administrative duties, such as activity request forms, field trip permission forms, and competition applications. The salary for this assistant is provided by WPBPO funds.