There were three things SBHS band director Mr. Victor Villaorduna never thought would happen: He would work at South Broward, he would be a band director, and he would win an award. Now, this is his fifth year at South Broward, and he’s an award winning band director.
Mr. Villaorduna, who is known as Mr. V, won the Tom Bishop Award in January. The award celebrates a Band Director who made a drastic improvement to their band in the short time they have been director.
“When the time comes, the district itself nominates who they think can win the award, or is deserving of the award,” said Villaorduna.
Villaorduna made the band do a complete 180, which made him eligible for the Tom Bishop Award. However, this wasn’t the first time he had been nominated. Last year, he went to Tampa in the hopes of coming back home with a glimmering award, however he did not win.
“There was a lot of defeat and discouragement in me last year, January, not hearing my name. So it obviously felt pretty good to hear my name this year,” said Villaorduna.
This year he came home with the prestigious award, recognizing the effort he put into the band. Before Villaorduna took over, the band was in disrepair.
“I was their fifth teacher in 4 years,” said Villaorduna. “So that creates a lack of stability, obviously. But a lack of stability then dwindles down to a lot of things. I mean, the kids feel lost.”
South Broward senior Brittany Ramirez has seen the difference from the previous director, and the change that Villaorduna has cultivated.
“I had a good experience [with the previous director], but Mr. V has definitely influenced the band program for the better,” said the senior.
Villaorduna was not the most experienced teacher when he took over South Broward’s band program. Fresh out of Florida Atlantic University, he first worked in Miami-Dade in 2018, at American Heritage High School, after having trouble finding work in Broward County. A year later, he moved swiftly from American Heritage to South Broward, after the position of band director unexpectedly became vacant.
In the beginning, he was not confident in his ability to turn the band around. According to Villaorduna, he suffered from a severe case of imposter syndrome, a psychological inability to feel like one’s success is deserved or legitimately achieved.
“I was not in a good mental state at all for I think a year and a half, it was a very dark time… thank goodness I just changed my mindset, because it was a mindset thing,” said Villaorduna.
The director’s Midas touch completely turned South Broward’s band program around. He learned from his experience in Miami-Dade, and changed his philosophy from focusing on building a good band program to changing behaviors and making better human beings.
“My plan was to just allow the kids to feel like they truly belong here. They deserve to be here, and they’re just– most of the time– happy to be here and enjoying being in the room. Because that’ll change the program in and of itself,” he said.
Villaorduna isn’t the only one that has this sentiment. The students in the band program have also felt the growth and the dedication that has been put into the program. Because of the care and effort, the students have formed great friendships and lifelong experiences, impacting their lives in the best way possible.
“Mr. V has played a big part in our lives and continues to help us grow as musicians and as people, as we do the same to him,” said Ramirez.
Even after winning this prestigious state award, Villaorduna thinks that no award or accolade takes the spot for his proudest accomplishment: His band students.
“It’s when the light bulb goes off in their head, or seeing the kids get awards and feel fulfilled. Seeing growth, I think that’s why I love teaching,” said Villaorduna.
