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Music

Philosophy

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.

Music, through its inherent ability to develop intellectual and emotional communication skills, encourages cultural awareness and enriches society. The FCPS music curriculum provides opportunities for students to attain the knowledge and skills necessary to be become musically literate, well-rounded individuals.

The FCPS Music Program of Studies is organized into four strands:

• PERFORM: developing musicianship through singing, playing instruments, and moving to music
• CREATE: using the notational tools of music to express ideas, thoughts, and feelings; includes individual approaches to improvisation
• INVESTIGATE: utilizing the study of music theory for music reading; analyzing the manner through which music is organized; making informed judgments about music and arts
• CONNECT:  awareness of the commonality between music and other disciplines

Music study is essential to the education process because it develops:

• Intellectual skills required to comprehend the language of music
• Interpersonal skills through participation in general music, vocal, and instrumental ensembles
• A broader understanding of history
• An understanding of the role of music in other cultures
• Performance skills commensurate with individual ability and interest

 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.

Course Offerings

• Elementary School Program of Studies
• Middle School Course Descriptions and Program of Studies
• High School Course Descriptions and Program of Studies

Band

Standard Course Offerings

• Beginning Band
• Intermediate Band
• Advanced Band

Optional Course Offerings

• Jazz Ensemble
• Jazz Combo
• Percussion Ensemble
• String Ensemble
• Brass Ensemble
• Woodwind Ensemble

Chorus

Standard Course Offerings

• Mixed Chorus
• Women’s Chorus
• Men’s Chorus
• Advanced Mixed Chorus

Optional Course Offerings

• Vocal Ensemble
• Intermediate Women’s Chorus
• Intermediate Men’s Chorus
• Intermediate Mixed Chorus 
• Advanced Women’s Chorus
• Advanced Men’s Chorus
• Jazz Choir
• Show/Swing Choir

General Music

In 2010-2011, Fairfax County Public Schools will undertake for the first time a program assessment in fine arts at the sixth grade level. The sixth grade is the last time that students are required to have music and art instruction. At the middle school and high school levels, the arts are elective course offerings. These assessments are in response to School Board Strategic Goal 1.3, that all students will explore, understand, and value the fine arts.

What is unique about these art and music assessments at the sixth grade level is that they will engage all sixth grade students in real-life, authentic challenges to which the students will respond with their cumulative knowledge, skills, problem solving ability, and creativity. Results from these student products and performances will be used not to grade students, nor to direct their coursework or career paths, but rather to direct teachers and Instructional Services in new emphases and priorities within the elementary art and music Program of Studies that will aide all students in being successful in alignment with 21st Century Skills and aptitudes. These 21st Century Skills include: creativity and innovation skills; critical thinking and problem solving skills; communication and collaboration skills; and life and career skills such as flexibility and adaptability, initiative and self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, productivity and accountability, and leadership and responsibility. Therefore, these assessments are designed to emphasize and capture deep understanding rather than shallow knowledge, and actively engage students in solving meaningful problems.

In a climate of high stakes student testing, these art and music program assessments provide a purposefully opposite direction and intention. Therefore, the attached Q & A is presented to assist administrators, teachers, parents, and students in understanding what these assessments are, and what they are not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Guitar

Course Offerings*

• Guitar 1
• Guitar 2
• Guitar 3
• Guitar Ensemble 1
• Guitar Ensemble 2

* Guitar is not a standard course offering in all Fairfax County Public Schools. Check with the guidance department at your student's individual school to find out about their particular Music course offerings.

Orchestra

Fairfax County Public Schools has one of the most recognized string orchestra programs in the country. Instruction begins in fourth grade and students are taught by certified string specialists. Over 20,000 students participate in orchestra in grades 4-12.

Standard Course Offerings - Middle and High School

• Beginning Orchestra
• Intermediate Orchestra
• Advanced Orchestra