Music
MSO Citi Bank Youth Concerts
Every 4th grade student in Washington County is bused to the Maryland Theater to see the Maryland Symphony perform with pre and post materials.
Ensembles in the Schools
Small Maryland Symphony Orchestra ensembles visiting elementary and middle schools while master classes held for high school programs.
Kinder Konzerts
Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten students are bussed to Hagerstown Community College and other county school sites to take part in a performance by one of the Maryland Symphony Ensembles. The group not only performs for the students, but answers questions, demonstrates different sounds and creates an informance where children can participate. Concerts feature half-hour programs designed to entertain and excite very young listeners with short musical selections and introductions to the instruments.
MSO Secondary Concert
Maryland Symphony Orchestra Secondary Master Works Concert for county 7th and 10th graders.
Showcase of Bands
The showcase was started in 1977 to showcase the area's high school marching bands on the field in a non-competitive environment. The showcase is hosted by a different high school band each year and is typically held on the first Tuesday in October. Each band performs its half time show and all of the bands combine on the field at the end for a mass band experience.
All County Chorus Concert
The All County Chorus program is designed to give county vocalists the opportunity to participate in an advanced large ensemble under the direction of a Guest Conductor. Middle school students are chosen and seated according to the individual school directors. High school students are auditioned for participation and seating. This event is usually scheduled in the fall, normally the third week October. Music is selected by the directors and the Guest Conductors. The Guest Conductor conducts the final rehearsals and concert.
All County Orchestra Concert
The All County Orchestra program is designed to give county instrumentalist the opportunity to participate in an advanced large ensemble under the direction of a Guest Conductor. Middle school students are chosen and seated according to the individual school directors. High school students are auditioned for participation and seating. Music is selected by the directors and the Guest Conductors. The Guest Conductor conducts the final rehearsals and concert.
All County Band/Jazz Band Concert
The All County Band program is designed to give county instrumentalist the opportunity to participate in an advanced large ensemble under the direction of a Guest Conductor. Middle school students are chosen and seated according to the individual school directors. High school students are auditioned for participation and seating. Music is selected by the directors and the Guest Conductors. The Guest Conductor conducts the final rehearsals and concert.
Washington County Large Ensemble Festivals
The Washington County Large Ensemble Festival encourages full band performances. These ensembles can range in size depending on the school. Ensembles prepare two selections for adjudication and one warm up selection. Three adjudicators will judge the concert portion while a fourth adjudicator judges a sight-reading activity. If an ensemble receives a rating of "superior" the group will be invited to participate in the State Large Ensemble Festival. The main focus of this festival is to provide a learning environment for the ensembles and teachers. From this experience each group can learn techniques to improve and enhance their performance. The ensembles will also have a chance to hear other ensembles perform.
- Orchestra Large Ensemble Festival
- Band Large Ensemble Festival
- Choral Large Ensemble Festival
- Middle School Band Festival
- Middle School Orchestra Festival
- Middle School Chorus Festival
Swingin' in the Park Jazz Festival
Swingin' in the Park started in 1998 to showcase the county's middle and high school jazz bands. Swingin' is a non-competitive showcase and is free to the public. It is held outside and concludes with the All County Jazz Band performance. The All County Jazz band is made up of the areas' top high school jazz musicians picked by the teachers.
All State Junior and Senior Band, Chorus, Orchestra, and Jazz Band Instrument Bank
Started with Maryland Symphony Orchestra – accepting donated instruments to put in the hands of students in need.
Washington County Solo and Ensemble Festival
Solo and ensemble festival is an opportunity for individual students (solo) or groups of students (ensembles) to perform a selection of their choice from the approved state lists for adjudication. The county festival includes performers on band or orchestra instruments, voice, or piano. Student performers are evaluated by one judge and rated on an adjudication form in a variety of performance areas including tone, technique and musicality. The highest rating a student can earn in this experience is a rating of I (superior) and those students earning a I (superior) or II (excellent) rating my purchase medals after the performance. This event is held every year in early March in Washington County and those students who earn a superior (I) rating on music of grade level 2 or higher are eligible to participate at the state solo and ensemble festivals (voice or band and orchestra instrument only – there is no piano festival at the state level) which are held in early May each year.
Sounds of the Season
Performing arts exhibition at the Valley Mall. During the month of December groups from around the county schools perform at the local mall.
Blues in the Schools
Available to all high schools. Sponsored by the Washington County Arts Council.