Performance Ensembles
Mantua and Fairfax County provide numerous vocal and instrumental opportunities for students outside of the regular school day.
Band
BUDDIES TUTORING PROGRAM - Woodson High School students provide free tutoring as “band buddies” once per week at Mantua. This popular program fosters a very desirable working relationship between young musicians.
FROST AREA BAND - A group comprised of advanced band members from all of the Frost Middle School elementary feeders. This ensemble meets from November through April. Rehearsals take place on Monday afternoons from 2:45-4:00 in the band room at Frost Middle School, with two public concerts – one in February and one in April. Carpools are always offered for students needing transportation assistance.
Prerequisite: students must be in sixth grade, and have performed for at least one full year.
SOLO AND ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL - This Festival occurs each year in April. Participating students are given the opportunity to prepare a solo or small group selection and perform for a professional judge who will offers comments, suggestions and feedback for each participant.
Chorus
MANTUA SINGERS - A select 12-15 voice ensemble, made up of students in 4th through 6th grades. This ensemble will focus on advanced choral music in 2-4 parts as a means of further developing the vocal technique learned in Mantua’s daytime choruses. The group meets once a week outside of school. Performances for this ensemble will be at the choir concerts, in addition to other concerts at the director’s discretion.
ALL-COUNTY CHORUS (HONOR’S CHORUS) - A group, sponsored by Fairfax County, comprised of approx. 800-1000 6th grade students from all Fairfax County Public Schools. This ensemble meets from December through May. Rehearsals take place once a week at Mantua for Mantua participants and once a month at Glasgow Middle School for all students in our section of the county. In May, all participating students from across the county will gather together for two days of rehearsals directed by a guest conductor and conclude with a public concert. Carpools are always offered for students needing transportation assistance. Based on Mantua’s 6th grade class size, each year, we are permitted to send 8-12 students. In late November, all interested 6th grade students may audition for this chorus. To participate in All-County Chorus, selected students must also be a member of Mantua’s 6th grade chorus.
Prerequisite: students must be in sixth grade and be a member of Mantua’s 6th Grade Chorus. Participation is based on audition and classroom teacher evaluation.
Orchestral
FAIRFAX AREA ORCHESTRA - A FCPS youth orchestra comprised of student musicians from surrounding elementary schools.
SOLO AND ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL - This Festival occurs each year in April. Participating students are given the opportunity to prepare a solo or small group selection and perform for a professional judge who will offers comments, suggestions and feedback for each participant.
ORFF
MANTUA RECORDER ENSEMBLE - Recorder groups were a popular music group in the Renaissance and Baroque times. This group allows students to expand and enrich their recorder experience. In this ensemble, students will work on technique and knowledge of recorders. They will play their soprano recorders they use in general music, and music will be provided. The school’s alto recorders may be used, in addition to other instruments. This ensemble meets once a week at Mantua. Performances for this ensemble will be at the choir concerts, in addition to other concerts at the director’s discretion.
Prerequisite: students must be in fifth or sixth grade.