Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

• When are the concerts?
• What if my child cannot perform in a concert because of illness?
• Where do I get the required concert attire for my child?
• Is there a program fee?
• What if our family cannot afford some of the expenses?
• Is my student required to take private lessons to be in the school music program?
• Can my child borrow an instrument from the school?
• At Westland, my child had to keep a record of his/her practice time. Is that true at B-CC as well?
• Who plays in the pep band? What dates does the pep band play?
• Are there concerts played away from B-CC HS?
• What are the different music ensembles at B-CC?
• My student wants to play in the jazz band. How can he/she join it?
• My child wants to sing in the Chamber or Women's Choir. How can he/she join it?
• I understand there is a fall musical. How can my student participate?
• Does my child need to take music at B-CC to qualify for County or State honors ensemble auditions?
• Is there a music trip and how is it paid for? Are there any fundraisers for the Music Department?
• What is Cabaret Night?
• What do the Music Boosters do?
• How can parents help the music dept?
• Are there any outside partnerships with B-CC music dept?
• What if I have a question that isn't listed here?

When are the concerts? 
Students receive calendars during the first days of school. Concerts are in fall, winter, and spring. All performances and evening rehearsals are required and considered part of the classroom grade. Check the Music Department Calendars on this website and the syllabus on MyMCPS Classroom for important dates for music students. 

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What if my child cannot perform in a concert because of illness? 
Missed performances require a written note from a parent/guardian. Unexcused absences will result in a one-letter grade reduction. Excused absences will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Make-up work will be assigned at the discretion of the director. See the music handbook for excused absences.

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Is there a program fee?

MCPS does not charge class fees.  However, there are other expenses during the year such as field trips, concert attire, and reeds.  To maintain a high-quality music program without charging class fees, Music Boosters fundraises throughout the year, and your tax-deductible donations and participation in our fundraisers are essential.

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What if our family cannot afford some of the expenses?
Please talk directly to your music instructor.  Students may earn credit toward the Spring Music Festival trip by participating in our fundraisers. Partial Scholarships are also available upon request.

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Is my student required to take private lessons to be in the school music program? 
Private music lessons are not required but are strongly encouraged and will help your student.

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 Can my child borrow an instrument from the school?
Yes. Much of the music department fundraising goes to purchase and maintain instruments for student use. Students should talk to their music teacher about borrowing instruments.

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 In Middle School, my child had to record his/her practice time. Is that true at B-CC as well? 
No, students are on the honor system to practice.

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Are any concerts played away from B-CC HS? 
Yes, student groups compete at festivals throughout the year in the County, State, and on the annual music trip. In addition, the ensembles – Chamber Choir, string quartet, and jazz combo -- play at venues throughout the County and State. They also play for the other schools in our region to introduce the younger students to high school music.  Please refer to the Music Department Performance schedules distributed to students at the beginning of the year (and available on MyMCPS Classroom) for a list of the performance dates.

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 How can my student participate in the Fall musical?
All students are invited to audition for roles and ensemble parts in the fall musical. Please check the Performing Arts Theater page for current season's productions, audition dates, and rehearsal schedules. Auditions are for stage parts only.
Students interested in performing in the pit orchestra are welcome to perform provided there is a specific part to play (it varies with the production). Any student who performs on these instruments is encouraged to participate. NO AUDITION IS REQUIRED for pit orchestra.
A schedule of rehearsal dates and times will be distributed at the first rehearsal. Students must attend all rehearsals October thru the first week of December. The closer to the performance, the later the rehearsals will end.
Opportunities for stagehands, running crew, set designers, and tech crew are also available. For more information, go to the Performing Arts' Theater Program page of the B-CC website.

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Does my child need to take music at B-CC to qualify for County or State honors ensemble auditions?
Yes, Maryland rules are clear and allow no exceptions. A student must be registered for and participate in the school music ensemble that corresponds to the honors ensemble for which they want to audition.

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Are there outside partnerships with B-CC Music Department?
B-CC Jazz Combo plays several times at various events, and a portion of the evening's proceeds go to the B-CC Music Department.

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What if I have a question not listed here?

Please contact the Music Booster Chair or one of the music teachers. We welcome your questions and your involvement in the Music Program at B-CC!