Instructional Program Overview

ELEMENTARY

The elementary instrumental music program is an academic class offered to students in grades four through six on strings (violin, viola, cello, bass), woodwinds (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, alto saxophone), and brasses (trumpet/cornet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba). Beginning students are grouped in like-instrument classes. Intermediate and advanced students are provided group instruction as well as various types of ensemble experiences.

Classroom instruction is free of charge, and classes meet twice weekly for 30 minute periods during the regular school day. Students are released from classroom activities to participate in the instrumental music classes. Instruments and textbooks are furnished by the parent, though some schools have instruments available to be loaned to students.

Students are expected to participate for the entire school year and will receive graded classroom instruction. Progress reports and report cards will reflect student progress which can be accessed at any time via the School Max Family Portal.

An instrumental rental/purchase plan is recommended by the school system. All rental/purchase plans should be handled through a music store, and the outright purchase of an instrument is not recommended during the trial period. A folding music stand is also a necessary part of the student's equipment and should be included with the rental of an instrument.

Those students successfully meeting the requirements through the trial period are expected to continue with the program. Students are expected to practice at least five days a week in order to progress satisfactorily.

Classroom instruction will include the development of:

Music reading skills
Individual playing skills on an instrument
Ensemble performance skills

In addition to classroom instruction, the following enrichment programs are available to elementary instrumental music students:

Elementary Solo & Ensemble Festival
The Elementary Solo & Ensemble Festival is designed to provide an opportunity for advanced elementary instrumental music students to perform solos and/or small ensembles for adjudication. Students must be enrolled in the instrumental music program in their school in order to participate. Music must be selected from the Prince George's County Elementary Solo & Ensemble list, the Maryland Orchestra Directors' Association (MODA) Solo & Ensemble list, or the Maryland Band Directors' Association (MBDA) Solo & Ensemble list.
Summer Instrumental Music Experience (SIME)
The Summer Instrumental Music Experience is an extension of the instrumental music program beginning with students entering 5th grade up to 12th grade of the next school year (students must have 1 year of experience). Students are provided small group lessons on their particular instrument with an instrumental music teacher as well as given a large ensemble experience (Full Band or String Orchestra). The experience includes many fun activities as well as a culminating concert at the conclusion of the experience.

Students auditioning for all enrichment orchestras and bands must be enrolled in the instrumental music class at their school and must have the approval of their instrumental music teacher. They must pass the playing audition and be able to commit to attending all rehearsals and performances. High expectations are set for student performance and behavior.

Introduction to the Band and Orchestra Instruments - SchoolTube (1).mp4

SECONDARY

The secondary instrumental academic music program provides large group experiences such as concert band and orchestra. In addition, small ensemble experience is available in the form of jazz band, string quartets, small wind ensembles and marching band (high school only) for all interested and qualified instrumental music students.

In addition to classroom instruction, the following enrichment programs and assessments are available to secondary instrumental music students:

Middle School Honor Band and Orchestra
The Middle School Honor Band and Orchestra are enrichment programs of the Instrumental Music Department and perform in the fall at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts. The groups perform advanced literature and are open to advanced middle school students who are enrolled in their middle school's band or orchestra program. The Middle School Honor Band and Orchestra have several evening rehearsals prior to the concert.
All County High School Honor Band and Orchestra
The High School Honor Band and Orchestra are enrichment programs of the Instrumental Music Department and perform at the annual Edward M. Felegy Concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The groups perform advanced literature and are open to advanced high school students. The High School Honor Band and Orchestra have evening rehearsals prior to the concert.
Band and Orchestra Assessment Festivals
The Band and Orchestra Assessment Festivals provide ensembles the opportunity to perform in a non-competitive setting. Groups are scored against a set performance standard rather than against other schools. Three performance adjudicators provide both written and taped comments about the performance, and a fourth adjudicator scores the sight-reading component, where groups play a piece that they have not rehearsed. Bands and orchestras are required to perform a warm-up selection and two additional pieces selected from the Maryland Orchestra Directors' Association (MODA) Festival list or the Maryland Band Directors' Association (MBDA) Festival list. These Assessment Festivals are run in compliance with Maryland Music Educators' Association (MMEA) standards and procedures. Bands and orchestras receiving a I (Superior) rating qualify to perform at the Maryland State Band or Orchestra Festival.
Secondary Solo & Ensemble Festival
The Secondary Solo & Ensemble Festival is open to middle and high school students currently enrolled in the instrumental music program in their school. It is run in compliance with standards set by the Maryland Music Educators' Association (MMEA). Students have the opportunity to prepare and perform a solo or in an ensemble for adjudication. Students receiving a I (Superior) rating on their performance qualify to participate in the State Solo & Ensemble Festival. Music must be selected from the Maryland Orchestra Directors' Association (MODA) Solo & Ensemble list or the Maryland Band Directors' Association (MBDA) Solo & Ensemble list.
Marching Band Showcase
The Marching Band Showcase provides high school marching bands the opportunity to perform for each other and the community in a non-competitive setting. The Showcase is held in the fall (marching season) and is open to the public. Prince George's County high school marching bands which participated in the Band Assessment Festival the previous spring are eligible to participate.
Jazz Ensemble Showcase
The Jazz Ensemble Showcase provides middle and high school jazz ensembles the opportunity to perform for each other and the community in a non-competitive setting. The Showcase is typically held in April (Jazz Appreciation Month) and is open to the public. Groups perform 2-4 selections for approximately 15 minutes each.

Summer Instrumental Music Experience (SIME)
The Summer Instrumental Music Experience is an extension of the instrumental music program beginning with students entering 5th grade up to 12th grade of the next school year (students must have 1 year of experience). Students are provided small group lessons on their particular instrument with an instrumental music teacher as well as given a large ensemble experience (Full Band or String Orchestra). The experience includes many fun activities as well as a culminating concert at the conclusion of the experience.

The specific goals of the secondary instrumental music program are to ensure that each student completing the program can:

read music
organize musical sounds
perceive the elements of music
demonstrate knowledge about the history, styles and multicultural aspects of music
perform musically as a member of an ensemble