The elementary instrumental music program is offered to students in grades four through six on strings (violin, viola, cello, bass), woodwinds (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto saxophone), and brasses (trumpet/cornet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba). Beginning students are grouped in like-instrument classes. Intermediate and advanced students are provided group instruction as well as various types of ensemble experiences.

Classroom instruction is free of charge, and classes meet twice weekly for 30 minute periods during the regular school day. Students are released from classroom activities to participate in the instrumental music classes. Instruments and textbooks are furnished by the parent, though some schools have instruments available to be loaned to students.

Classroom instruction during the first half of the school year will serve as a trial period for beginning students. Parents will be notified twice of their child's progress during this time.

An instrumental rental/purchase plan is recommended by the school system. All rental/purchase plans should be handled through a music store, and the outright purchase of an instrument is not recommended during the trial period. A folding music stand is also a necessary part of the student's equipment and should be included with the rental of an instrument.

Those students successfully meeting the requirements through the trial period are expected to continue with the program. Students are expected to practice at least five days a week in order to progress satisfactorily.

Classroom instruction will include the development of:

		Music reading skills
		Individual playing skills on an instrument
		Ensemble performance skills

In addition to classroom instruction, the following enrichment programs are available to elementary instrumental music students:

		Elementary Honor Band/String Orchestra
		The Elementary Honor Band/String Orchestra is an enrichment program of the Instrumental Music Department and performs in November at the Bowie Arts Center. It is a band/orchestra that performs advanced elementary literature and is open to advanced elementary school students who are enrolled in their elementary school's band/string program. The Elementary Honor Band/String Orchestra has evening rehearsals starting in late September prior to the concert.
		Elementary Solo & Ensemble Festival
		The Elementary Solo and Ensemble Festival is designed to provide an opportunity for advanced elementary instrumental music students to perform solos and/or small ensembles for adjudication. Students must be enrolled in the instrumental music program in their school in order to participate. Music must be selected from the Prince George's County Elementary Solo and Ensemble list, the Maryland Orchestra Directors' Association (MODA) Solo and Ensemble list, or the Maryland Band Directors' Association (MBDA) Solo and Ensemble list.

Students auditioning for all enrichment orchestras and bands must be enrolled in the instrumental music class at their school and must have the approval of their instrumental music teacher. They must pass the playing audition and be able to commit to attending all rehearsals and performances. High expectations are set for student performance and behavior.

The secondary instrumental music program provides large group experiences such as concert band, orchestra, and marching band (high school only) for all interested and qualified instrumental music students. In addition, small ensemble experience is available in the form of jazz band, string quartets, and small wind ensembles.

In addition to classroom instruction, the following enrichment programs are available to secondary instrumental music students:

		Middle School Honor Band/String Orchestra
		The Middle School Honor Band/String Orchestra is an enrichment program of the Instrumental Music Department and performs in November at the Bowie Arts Center. It is a band/string orchestra that performs advanced literature and is open to advanced middle school students who are enrolled in their middle school's band/orchestra program. The Middle School Honor Band/String Orchestra has evening rehearsals starting in late September prior to the concert.
		All County Senior Youth Orchestra
		The Senior Youth Orchestra is an enrichment program of the Instrumental Music Department and performs at the annual Edward F. Felegy Concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. It is a string orchestra performing advanced literature and is open to advanced high school students. The Senior Youth Orchestra has evening rehearsals the month prior to the concert.
		All County Senior Honor Band
		The High School Honor Band is an enrichment program of the Instrumental Music Department and performs at the annual Edward F. Felegy Concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. It performs advanced literature and is open to advanced high school students. The High School Honor Band has evening rehearsals the month prior to the concert.
		Band and Orchestra Assessment Festivals
		The Band and Orchestra Assessment Festivals provide ensembles the opportunity to perform in a non-competitive setting. Groups are scored against a set performance standard rather than against other schools. Three performance adjudicators provide both written and taped comments about the performance, and a fourth adjudicator scores the sight-reading component, where groups play a piece that they have not rehearsed. Bands and orchestras are required to perform a warm-up selection and two additional pieces selected from the Maryland Orchestra Directors' Association (MODA) Festival list or the Maryland Band Directors' Association (MBDA) Festival list. These Assessment Festivals are run in compliance with Maryland Music Educators' Association (MMEA) standards and procedures. Bands and orchestras receiving a I (Superior) rating qualify to perform at the Maryland State Band or Orchestra Festival
		Secondary Solo & Ensemble Festival
		The Secondary Solo and Ensemble Festival is open to middle and high school students currently enrolled in the instrumental music program in their school. It is run in compliance with standards set by the Maryland Music Educators' Association (MMEA). Students have the opportunity to prepare and perform a solo or in an ensemble for adjudication. Students receiving a I (Superior) rating on their performance qualify to participate in the State Solo and Ensemble Festival. Music must be selected from the Maryland Orchestra Directors' Association (MODA) Solo and Ensemble list or the Maryland Band Directors' Association (MBDA) Solo and Ensemble list.
		Marching Band Showcase
		The Marching Band Showcase provides high school marching bands the opportunity to perform for each other and the community in a non-competitive setting. The Showcase is held in the fall (marching season) and is open to the public. Prince George's County high school marching bands which participated in the Band Assessment Festival the previous spring are eligible to participate.

Students auditioning for all enrichment orchestras and bands must be enrolled in the instrumental music class at their school and must have the approval of their instrumental music teacher. They must pass the playing audition and be able to commit to attending all rehearsals and performances. High expectations are set for student performance and behavior.

The specific goals of the secondary instrumental music program are to ensure that each student completing the program can:

		read music
		organize musical sounds
		perceive the elements of music
		demonstrate knowledge about the history, styles and multicultural aspects of music
		perform musically as a member of an ensemble