music at DCPS (Brent in particular)

[Anonymous]

We are inbounds for Brent Elementary on Capitol Hill. We've heard great things from our neighbors who have children there and generally feel excited about the prospect of sending our son there. That being said, one concern we have is the lack of music education. This is very important to us. We have family members who are professional musicians and believe strongly that music is an important part of a well-rounded education. My understanding is that Brent does not offer any general music education or have a band, orchestra, choir program for the older students (4-6 grade). I also understand that this is pretty typical of DC public schools.

We've considered many times whether we need to move to FFX county for the schools. This is the main reason currently that we're still considering it. I don't see how we can replace music with outside of school activities, especially band/orchestra in the later years. A Kindermusik class outside of school is not a proper substitute in my mind. I know about Levine School of Music, but don't think we can afford it. How have you handled this? Is it a concern for you?

Thanks for any insight.

[Anonymous]

One thought is to investigate schools with a relationship to Fillmore.

[Anonymous]

Does FFX offer instrumental music in the elementary years?

[Anonymous]

If you're looking for music programs, consider staying on Capitol Hill and participating in the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program, which operates out of Eastern. The program has a great reputation, has sliding scale fees, and starts much younger than 4th grade, depending on the instrument. No need to move to Fairfax County or otherwise go crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does FFX offer instrumental music in the elementary years?

Yes, they have general music all through elementary school and start band and strings in 4th or 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're looking for music programs, consider staying on Capitol Hill and participating in the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program, which operates out of Eastern. The program has a great reputation, has sliding scale fees, and starts much younger than 4th grade, depending on the instrument. No need to move to Fairfax County or otherwise go crazy.

Thank you, I will research that option.

[Anonymous]

Second the PP's recommendation for looking into DCPS schools that use Fillmore. We are pleased so far.

[Anonymous]

So instrumental music starts closer to middle school in FFX?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're looking for music programs, consider staying on Capitol Hill and participating in the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program, which operates out of Eastern. The program has a great reputation, has sliding scale fees, and starts much younger than 4th grade, depending on the instrument. No need to move to Fairfax County or otherwise go crazy.

We live on the Hill, and although my 1st grader attends a school that does offer music instruction (orchestra) for his grade level, I plan to sign him up at DCYOP next semester.

[Anonymous]

I would also inquire with the principal and have a serious dialogue with Ben Hall, Music Content Specialist for DCPS. DCYOP is an option but it shouldn't be the only choice. What about the child who wants to be exposed to music other than orchestra? The DC Youth Chorale is operating out of Eastern too.

[Anonymous]

I'd call the school and ask. I think they do have a music program this year. they didn't last year, but in years past they did. Let the school know how you feel-- your voice could make a difference!

[Anonymous]

Our DCPS has music once a week for all grades. In fact my 4th grader is going on a music field trip tomorrow. I know our previous charter offered music also. I don't know if our experience is typical but we have always been in DCPS schools with music.

[Anonymous]

I second DCYOP. My elementary kid started last year and loves it.

[Anonymous]

In DCPS, music education (unlike say a second language) is required for elementary school children. I don't see how a school could get out of that requirement. Given its size of around 300 students, Brent ES, just as any other ES would have to have at least a part-time and probably a full time music teacher catering to either PS3 through 5th grade or possibly to K through 5th grade (don't know the exact requirements). A school can request a waiver from DCPS to not have a music teacher on the budget, say because they have a partnership that exposes children to music in other ways. But they can't waive out of offering music to their children. So please check your facts again.
If you still find - which I seriously doubt - that Brent does not offer music to its students in any of these formats, that would make me wonder why that was never brought to DCPS' attention or why parents didn't object to that.
The same holds true for PE/health, art, and library. For these positions, too, and many others, a school can request a waiver to offer it in some other format. But a DC public school cannot waive out of offering these things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I second DCYOP. My elementary kid started last year and loves it.

Another supporter of DCYOP here! It's a great complement to the required music offerings in public elementary schools. But it's a complement, it's not a substitute. Many instruments start at about age 7 or 8 only. While DCYOP does a fabulous job teaching its students to read music, it shouldn't be their job to do that. DC elementary schools requires that these basics be taught in elementary school while instilling fun in music education from a young age. Could there be a problem of enforcement here?
Link to DCYOP: http://www.dcyop.org/