Anonymous wrote:How big is each program if FCPS alone sends 200 kids there? Thousands? Google says there're 223 public school systems in VA.

FCPS is THE school system in VA. It probably sends more kids than the rest of VA combined. FCPS plus APS plus LCPS probably send 2/3 of the kids. Two bands. Two choruses. One Orchestra. Say 70-80 kids each, or 350-400 kids total. That number probably includes alternates.

For reference, there are about 390 NMSFs in VA. Last year, Fairfax County has 223 of them. Size, plus affluence, plus highly educated parents = outsized number of qualifiers.

Plus, for all the “There is no point in lessons” talk above, if you do have money and dedication and talent, there are very talented teachers in NOVA. And that does make a huge difference. I know kids who take violin lessons from one of the NSO concert masters.

I don’t have an all anything music kid, BTW. But credit where credit is due. NMSF is still a big deal— even if FCPS has 223 of them and TJ has 150. All state music is still a big deal, even if FCPS sends 200 kids. It takes a lot of time and dedication and talent to make it to that level.

How big is each program if FCPS alone sends 200 kids there? Thousands? Google says there're 223 public school systems in VA.

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem recognizing kids and music programs recognized at the state level. There’s plenty of attention about sports teams winning state championships or which middle schools are sending the most kids to TJ. Let the musicians get some attention as well.

That’s for helping to put a different spin on the idea of it.

I have no problem recognizing kids and music programs recognized at the state level. There’s plenty of attention about sports teams winning state championships or which middle schools are sending the most kids to TJ. Let the musicians get some attention as well.

Anonymous wrote:My kid has been begging for private lessons, because “everyone else does ”. We declined because she is in band and has class and plays/practices everyday, and is first chair in her instrument. My thought was that the private lessons were for those who have music as their #1 activity. And that is not my kid, although she does love it and does well. We told her she can take private when everyday Band and extra playing/practice is not enough to keep up, or if she really wants more out of it.

Interesting enough, of the kids that my kid knows take private lessons only a few made county/state. We are at an avg sized high school with an accomplished band/music program.

I’m 15:48, and I will say I took private lessons for a few years in HS I just wanted to take private lessons, and my parents said sure. I will say that I never had any interest in trying out for higher levels bands, though I agreed to ONCE at the pressing of my private teacher. I think she was a good private teacher but she wasn’t professional anything. IIRC, she was in school to become a band director. She lived in our town and I’m sure the lessons were cheap.

My kid has been begging for private lessons, because “everyone else does ”. We declined because she is in band and has class and plays/practices everyday, and is first chair in her instrument. My thought was that the private lessons were for those who have music as their #1 activity. And that is not my kid, although she does love it and does well. We told her she can take private when everyday Band and extra playing/practice is not enough to keep up, or if she really wants more out of it.

Interesting enough, of the kids that my kid knows take private lessons only a few made county/state. We are at an avg sized high school with an accomplished band/music program.

FCPS put out a press release about it. Sometimes transparency is a good thing.

As a former bando, these posts kind of makes me sad. I feel like these types of rankings / the fact that adults care about whether kids at what schools and who made “states” kind of takes the fun out of everything.

Some people care about which schools have strong music programs. Others care about theatre, sports, or robotics. No one is forced to read this forum, and the topic was clear from the title. Maybe you need to chill.

What is the point of this list? It’s common knowledge that music lessons are expensive and therefore usually only those with money will take private lessons and excel to high levels.
OP- you should find a hobby. Obsessing over high schools as a adult it weird.

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to see TJ is the smallest school (maybe Lee is smaller?) with STEM focused kids, and small programs, and is punching way above its weight in fine arts.

Only Lee is smaller than TJ, but Langley, McLean and TJ are all smaller than the average FCPS high school.

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that the top schools have lots of Asian kids, probably excelling at both academics and music.

For orchestra, but not as many in chorus and very few in band.

Interesting to see TJ is the smallest school (maybe Lee is smaller?) with STEM focused kids, and small programs, and is punching way above its weight in fine arts.

Interesting that the top schools have lots of Asian kids, probably excelling at both academics and music.

201 students in FCPS were selected for all-state band, chorus or orchestra this year.

The breakdown by school:

Langley 20
McLean 17
TJHSST 17
Robinson 14
Woodson 14
Fairfax 13
Lake Braddock 12
Oakton 12
Chantilly 9
South County 8
Herndon 7
Madison 7
Westfield 7
Annandale 6
Edison 6
Marshall 6
Stuart 5
West Potomac 5
West Springfield 5
Mount Vernon 4
South Lakes 4
Centreville 3
Falls Church 3
Hayfield 3
Lee 0