Cardinal Forest Elementary

In Fairfax County Public Schools over 40,000 students are enrolled in the music elective programs of band, chorus, general music, orchestra and guitar. Our vocal and instrumental ensembles are seen and heard worldwide as well as throughout the Unites States. Locally our ensembles perform at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, George Mason Center for the Performing Arts, and the White House.
Performing groups have been selected to appear at the American Choral Directors Association Conference, the Mid-west Clinic, the Music Educators National Conference, the National Concert Band Festival, the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, and numerous other events.
FCPS provides general music education for all students Kindergarten through sixth grade, orchestra instruction beginning in fourth grade, and band and chorus instruction beginning in fifth grade in every elementary school. In grades seven through twelve a wide variety of music course offerings is available to meet students' interests and ability levels.

Chorus
Students may join Cardinal Forest chorus in 5th and 6th grade. They perform a Winter Concert and a Spring concert for the classmates during their school day and again for their families in the evening. They learn vocal warm-ups, sight-singing and singing in parts including partner songs and rounds during this class.

In 6th grade, students may audition for the All-County Chorus Festival with 800+ other 6th grade students from schools throughout the county. Stay tuned for air dates of the April 18, 2009 All County Choral Festival on Channel 21.

General Music Class: students explore the rich tradition of music making through singing, dancing, and playing instruments. In addition, students form valuable connections to classroom subjects such as social studies, reading, mathematics, and science. In this way, music is not a break from the classroom, but rather an enrichment of it.

By drawing on both Orff and Kodaly music pedagogy, students at Cardinal Forest receive a diverse musical education that enables them to not only improvise, but to also read music. Curriculum is coordinated to the Fairfax County School's program of studies.

Perhaps most importantly, however, students learn valuable social skills in music class that will accompany them for the rest of their lives. By cooperating in small and large groups, students work towards the common goal of music making. It just so happens that we always have fun in the process!

The strings program at Cardinal Forest Elementary School provides an opportunity for students to learn to play a stringed instrument starting in 4th Grade. The violin, viola, cello , and string bass are taught at the school during the school day. They receive instruction in note-reading, instrument position, instrument care, and music theory and they also have the opportunity to play many different genres of music. The beginning strings classes are divided into homogeneous groups so that progress can be made quickly and effectively. The 5th and 6th grade groups are divided into an Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra. 5th and 6th grade students are encouraged to begin an instrument as well.

The Cardinal Forest Orchestra performs two concerts a year and the 6th grade advanced strings play a Holiday Concert during the month of December. All students are eligible to participate in District XI Solo and Ensemble performances in the spring and 5th and 6th grade orchestra students who have been playing their instrument for at least one year are eligible to participate in the West Springfield Area Orchestra which meets on Monday afternoons from January thru April. This provides enrichment for those students who become proficient on their instrument. We hope you will become part of the growing strings education program at Cardinal Forest Elementary School!

Elementary Band

Elementary Band is offered to all 5th and 6th graders in all Fairfax County Public Schools. Students who enroll in band receive one 45 minute instruction period per week, usually in small groups of similar instruments with Mr. Boltz, the band director. Additionally, students are also expected to practice on a regular basis at home.

The Cardinal Forest Band usually gives two performances per year; a winter concert and a spring concert. In order to participate in the band program, students must secure an instrument to use. If an instrument is not readily available in the family, most students rent or rent-to-own from a local music store.

Students who are on or have applied for free or reduced-price lunches are a eligible to receive an instrument from Fairfax County at a greatly reduced cost. Additionally, the school owns a limited number of certain instruments which are available to rent at the standard school instrument rental fee. The following instruments offered in band classes: flute, oboe, clarinet ,saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion (bells and drum pad/snare drum).