Any MoCo schools have great music and performing arts programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The strongest MS and HS orchestras in MCPS are going to be in the wealthier schools where parents are paying for private lessons and a significant number of the kids are in MCYO/PVYO and/or enrolled in school music programs so they can be eligible for All-County and All-State. Frost, Cabin John, Hoover, Pyle, Tilden, etc. And then of course, Wootton, Whitman, Churchill, WJ, and RM (because the orchestra is full of IB kids coming from the aforementioned middle schools). Not to say that other schools don't have good programs, but that is where the highest concentrations are.

This. Those kids are not good because of school but private lessons and programs. Most teachers don’t teach come ms and high school and just conduct.

It also helps to have the extra funding and teachers willing to put in the time.

Also in my experience, a lot of the music directors at MCPS schools are brass/percussion players by trade. So for the string players without private instruction, the knowledge about instrument care and maintenance and what bowings and fingerings to do usually came from the more advanced players, not the teacher. This can be slightly frustrating for the advanced players because you are spending the first 10 minutes of class helping other kids tune violins, changing broken strings, re-seating bridges, etc. because the teacher doesn't know how. Though it does build those skills, and patience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein HS - five curricular instrumental music ensembles, marching band, pep band and a pit orchestra for their musicals. Mr. Casement is a fantastic teacher.

When the theatre program
Moves to Northwood, will there still be a need for a live pit orchestra at Einstein?

MCPS leaders really mucked this up.

Einstein STAGE will stay at Einstein. Northwood theatre program isn’t as strong as Einstein. I would argue that Einstein has the strongest theatre program in the county. Einstein parents are just modest about the gem that’s in their community.

[Anonymous]

ES schools have music as a special and then offer band/orchestra starting at 4th. Clarksburg HS has Concert and Symphonic band, Concert and Symphonic Orchestra, Jazz band, Percussion Ensemble, Competitive Marching Band (outdoor and indoor), and Chorus.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know why chorus in MCPS doesn't start until 4th? I'm used to it starting in K or 1st elsewhere in the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein HS - five curricular instrumental music ensembles, marching band, pep band and a pit orchestra for their musicals. Mr. Casement is a fantastic teacher.

When the theatre program
Moves to Northwood, will there still be a need for a live pit orchestra at Einstein?

MCPS leaders really mucked this up.

Einstein STAGE will stay at Einstein. Northwood theatre program isn’t as strong as Einstein. I would argue that Einstein has the strongest theatre program in the county. Einstein parents are just modest about the gem that’s in their community.

It’s good but it’s overrated. The new teacher is good and trying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know why chorus in MCPS doesn't start until 4th? I'm used to it starting in K or 1st elsewhere in the country.

Strathmore Choir is really good if you want a private one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frost MS and Wootton HS orchestras went to a national orchestra clinic this year. Of course the kids do a lot of prep outside of the school program.

Didn't they let go of the music teacher at Wootton?

The teacher doesn’t matter as much as private lessons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein HS - five curricular instrumental music ensembles, marching band, pep band and a pit orchestra for their musicals. Mr. Casement is a fantastic teacher.

When the theatre program
Moves to Northwood, will there still be a need for a live pit orchestra at Einstein?

MCPS leaders really mucked this up.

Einstein STAGE will stay at Einstein. Northwood theatre program isn’t as strong as Einstein. I would argue that Einstein has the strongest theatre program in the county. Einstein parents are just modest about the gem that’s in their community.

It’s good but it’s overrated. The new teacher is good and trying.

How is it overrated?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The strongest MS and HS orchestras in MCPS are going to be in the wealthier schools where parents are paying for private lessons and a significant number of the kids are in MCYO/PVYO and/or enrolled in school music programs so they can be eligible for All-County and All-State. Frost, Cabin John, Hoover, Pyle, Tilden, etc. And then of course, Wootton, Whitman, Churchill, WJ, and RM (because the orchestra is full of IB kids coming from the aforementioned middle schools). Not to say that other schools don't have good programs, but that is where the highest concentrations are.

This. Those kids are not good because of school but private lessons and programs. Most teachers don’t teach come ms and high school and just conduct.

It also helps to have the extra funding and teachers willing to put in the time.

Also in my experience, a lot of the music directors at MCPS schools are brass/percussion players by trade. So for the string players without private instruction, the knowledge about instrument care and maintenance and what bowings and fingerings to do usually came from the more advanced players, not the teacher. This can be slightly frustrating for the advanced players because you are spending the first 10 minutes of class helping other kids tune violins, changing broken strings, re-seating bridges, etc. because the teacher doesn't know how. Though it does build those skills, and patience.

It depends on the school. There are some strictly strings. The students do end up helping and teaching each other a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein HS - five curricular instrumental music ensembles, marching band, pep band and a pit orchestra for their musicals. Mr. Casement is a fantastic teacher.

When the theatre program
Moves to Northwood, will there still be a need for a live pit orchestra at Einstein?

MCPS leaders really mucked this up.

Einstein STAGE will stay at Einstein. Northwood theatre program isn’t as strong as Einstein. I would argue that Einstein has the strongest theatre program in the county. Einstein parents are just modest about the gem that’s in their community.

It’s good but it’s overrated. The new teacher is good and trying.

How is it overrated?

Compare it to what other schools are doing and have.

[Anonymous]

Our kids went thru Moco ES, MS and HS and they graduated in 2025.

At no point did I find a strong music / performing arts program either within the school system, or outside of it.

The DMV is sorely lacking this kind of culture. If it is something you genuinely need for your child, consider relocating to NYC or LA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein HS - five curricular instrumental music ensembles, marching band, pep band and a pit orchestra for their musicals. Mr. Casement is a fantastic teacher.

When the theatre program
Moves to Northwood, will there still be a need for a live pit orchestra at Einstein?

MCPS leaders really mucked this up.

Einstein STAGE will stay at Einstein. Northwood theatre program isn’t as strong as Einstein. I would argue that Einstein has the strongest theatre program in the county. Einstein parents are just modest about the gem that’s in their community.

The band was way more impressive at the Einstein open house this year than the theatre scene was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS schools have performing arts as a special in elementary school, but unfortunately, MCPS schools do not. All middle schools should be offering theatre and dance, but again, you have to find the schools that do. Einstein HS has an amazing dance program.

Varies by DCPS. Ours most certainly did not.

The point was, DCPS offers it at an elementary level. MCPS does not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frost MS and Wootton HS orchestras went to a national orchestra clinic this year. Of course the kids do a lot of prep outside of the school program.

Didn't they let go of the music teacher at Wootton?

The teacher doesn’t matter as much as private lessons.

so, OP should send their kid to private music lessons. Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kids went thru Moco ES, MS and HS and they graduated in 2025.

At no point did I find a strong music / performing arts program either within the school system, or outside of it.

The DMV is sorely lacking this kind of culture. If it is something you genuinely need for your child, consider relocating to NYC or LA

I get the outside of school comment but I wouldn’t want anyone to start packing for the music programs in California public schools…. And the best ones will require a $5+ million house.