music at DCPS (Brent in particular)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I should add that there is one DCPS that has a strings program on the ES level. Can anyone recall the name?

Shepherd Elementary in NW Ward 4. Ken Giles the music teacher also is a DCYO instructor and enourages students to take lessons at DCYO. Attendance is probably down from Shepherd kids with the move to Eastern. Coolidge is ~2 miles from Shepherd.

[Anonymous]

Many DCPS ES do not offer instrumental music (aside from some recorder instruction). The system requirement is for general music only. This is unlike many of the suburban schools that start instrumental music instruction in grade 4, often as a required part of the music curriculum. The lack of widespread instrumental music instruction in DCPS ES means the MS and HS instrumental music programs are not as strong as they could be (and students who already play instruments because of DCYOP or private instruction are sometimes not that interested in participating with the beginner students in MS/HS).

The DCPS schools that do offer instrumental music instruction often offer it during lunch/recess or before or after school.

Shepherd ES has an active strings program for students in grades 1-5 during lunch (taught by the general music teacher who is also a DCYOP instructor). Lafayette ES has lunchtime band, percussion and, more recently, a string ensemble for grades 4-5. I think Janney ES also has instrumental music before school and I'm sure there are others.

That being said, DCYOP does offer a strong program and includes students from both DCPS schools and many of the area's private and suburban schools that also offer instruction at school.

[Anonymous]

Maury on the Hill also has an instrumental music program for 4th and 5th grades, plus chorus for all students in grades K-5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm intrigued, where is it in the country that there are string programs for ES-aged children?

It sounds like they start around MS age in FFX.

There are a thousand reasons not to choose DCPS, but that they don't offer strings to 3 year olds strikes me as silly.

OP, it's my understanding that most private schools in the area don't offer strings at the early ES level during the school day. You can do it in after school for additional money though.

OP, I don't think you're being realistic.

Really? I am the OP and have a degree in music education. The norm in the state I'm from and in every FFX county elementary school that I've researched while looking at houses (virtually every ES in Burke/springfield - about 10) is to start both strings and band in either 4th or 5th grade. This is the best time to start students on an instrument because they are physically large enough, they are excited about trying new things, and their minds are still like little sponges. Plus you get them interested before they start getting self-conscious and "clique-y" in middle school. It is totally normal to start band and orchestra in the last years of elementary school and I do think it's a big disadvantage to a school to not have the programs. Luckily, there are programs to supplement this that many in this thread have suggested. Because of that, I think it would be workable for my family to attend a school without a good music program since there are other programs available. But to suggest that no one offers elementary school instrumental programs is simply not true.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, 4th and 5th grade is not "early elementary." You know Brent starts at age 3, right?

[Anonymous]

As said previously in this thread many dcps lose students in 4th and 5th because of strategic moves for middle school. For a serious minded musical (or her parent apparently) you'll likely need to Focus on afterschool programs like the youth orchestra. OP I'm kind of getting the impression that you should listen to the little voice inside your head and look towards Fairfax county. One other thought...check out two Rivera two Rivers charter to see what they offer...I thought I remembered them having a robust music program.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP! What a timely question! Brent parents just got a letter in the Tuesday News from the new music teacher!

It is packed with information, but I'll just give a quick synopsis:

PS3-K, learning solfege and body positions for Mi-Sol-La patterns,

1st and 2nd: steady beat patterns and quarter-note variation patterns using steady beat pats and Rhythm Sticks,

3rd, sing in harmony,

4th, Orff Instruments now, recorders and hand chimes later,

5th, full scale (Do-Do) patterns now, and guitar playing later.

I hope you will give the school a call and ask for more information. Please share your opinion about what you learn. You know far more about these things than most parents!

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP! What a timely question! Brent parents just got a letter in the Tuesday News from the new music teacher!

It is packed with information, but I'll just give a quick synopsis:

PS3-K, learning solfege and body positions for Mi-Sol-La patterns,

1st and 2nd: steady beat patterns and quarter-note variation patterns using steady beat pats and Rhythm Sticks,

3rd, sing in harmony,

4th, Orff Instruments now, recorders and hand chimes later,

5th, full scale (Do-Do) patterns now, and guitar playing later.

I hope you will give the school a call and ask for more information. Please share your opinion about what you learn. You know far more about these things than most parents!

Good luck!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! That's great info. Just so you know, it's really great to have the Orff instruments. And adding recorders, hand chimes, and guitar would be great as well. That's a nice break down of a general music program. Now to get a band and orchestra option going for the older elementary kids! Thanks for sharing. We'll look into more before making any major decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since DYOP moved from Coolidge to Eastern it has lost its stamina. I don't find it as intriquing as it has been. I thought the kinks of moving to a new site would have all been erased. NOT. IMO they should move the entire program to Eliot-Hines or better yet put the program into a school with the name deserving of music. John Phillip Sousa Middle School is absolutely the right fit for this entire program. What is more appropriate than to have DCYOP at Sousa, considering you have the performing arts high school in a builidng named after Duke Ellington.

Hmm. "lost its stamina", not as "intriguing"? Any concrete concerns, or is it all as ephemeral as this? Sounds like a particularly sniffy wine review.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. DCYOP's quality should be the same, regardless of location. Eastern High is very nice facility - my daughter has been taking lessons there for the last few weeks and I am happy with both DCYOP and the venue, Eastern High.

[Anonymous]

DCYOP are not good house guests at Eastern.

[Anonymous]

OP, what makes you say that. I think it is important that opinions be backed up with examples, evidence. Granted, I will admit that I don't know much about the situation but I have gone there for classes a few times and things seemed fine.

[Anonymous]

Just going on dialogue being shared with the Eastern supporters. As you stated you visited and everything seemingly was fine. Isn't that the case for all situations? I believe the DCYOP and Eastern issues will all be resolved; it wouldn't be prudent otherwise. I can be more specific, it is not the participants but the personnel of DCYOP that has become the annoying gnat in the ointment.

Therefore, don't let our in-house issue ruin your participation with DCYOP. Again, the partcipants have been marvelous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just going on dialogue being shared with the Eastern supporters. As you stated you visited and everything seemingly was fine. Isn't that the case for all situations? I believe the DCYOP and Eastern issues will all be resolved; it wouldn't be prudent otherwise. I can be more specific, it is not the participants but the personnel of DCYOP that has become the annoying gnat in the ointment.

Therefore, don't let our in-house issue ruin your participation with DCYOP. Again, the partcipants have been marvelous.

Yet more ephemeral stammering. If you've got something to say, spit it out. Otherwise, keep your baseless gossiping to yourself.

[Anonymous]

As expected the desperate housewive's attitude wants to be in the know. Take this as fact, DCYOP has only one more time to be a nuisance. As for gossip, do you know the tune to "give something to talk about."