Chorus is offered to FCPS students from 5th to 12th grade. Elementary chorus students learn choral literature and vocal skills and in a large group setting. Middle and high school students have an elective choice of small or large group courses which include concert choir, beginning, intermediate, and advanced level women’s or men’s ensemble, show choir, madrigal ensemble, jazz choir, or barbershop quartet.

Chorus is a progressive skill based program that prepares students to graduate from high school literate in choral music. Students develop knowledge of choral music through the following four strands at the beginning, intermediate, advanced, and artist levels. These strands are outlined in the Music Program of Studies.

• Perform: develop vocal technique and sing graded literature from levels 1-6
  
• Create: through composition and improvisation
  
• Investigate: read and write music notation, and develop sight-reading skills using solfeggio
  
• Connect: develop understanding of the relationship between the fine and performing arts and disciplines outside the arts

In addition to vocal skills, choral students learn to work as a team. Choral directors strive to teach each student to become a knowledgeable consumer of vocal music. Many of our high school graduates continue to sing in university choirs, participate in community ensemble, become music educators, or pursue a professional career in vocal performance. Choral singing adds enrichment to lives and is a vital piece of a liberal arts education.