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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It’s a bad issue right now due to staffing cuts. MCPS gave secondary principals staffing allotments based on how many kids were attending in person last February. Fast forward to September and lots of new kids move to the area, many kids leaving private or virtual academy to return to their home school but staffing allotments haven’t changed. At my school, this meant 6th grade band was cut and folded in with 7th and 8th graders. Doesn’t matter because there are also 7th and 8th graders trying an instrument for the first time because of the pandemic.

Orchestras in MCPS really get the short end of the stick but enrollment is just so much lower, so many schools can’t offer leveled orchestra classes. Also, MCPS has the same person teaching band and orchestra in most schools. This is very different than Virginia where a teacher specializes in just band or just orchestra. They have teachers specialize in one area and split between a MS and HS if needed. This is fantastic for recruiting and retaining students. It’s also frees up time for the teacher to get PD in either band or orchestra. MCPS has been behind the times for about 30 years in this area. Howard County is where you will find superior music programs. [/quote]

Just no.

Please remember that band and orchestra separations at school are completely artificial, as classic orchestras, from which all other western musical groups developed, is composed of strings, winds, brass and percussion. So a conductor can of course teach band AND orchestra.

Most students only have a few years' experience, and practically any teacher can teach them at that very basic level.

There are no appreciable differences between counties when it comes to music quality in public schools. The words "superior" and "schools" just don't go together, my dear PP, whether it's public or private schools. I've personally listened to many :-)  If you want a "superior" group music experience, you've got to look to private studios putting chamber music groups together, or certain youth orchestras like MCYO and AYPO. DCYO is friendly but not on the same level.

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I did not realize how different and better these groups were till we did one.  Worth the price.  [/quote]

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