St. Thomas More Beginner and Advanced Band

Learn more about the positive impact music can have on your child, then fill out a short interest form to get more information about our music program.
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The impact of music education on children is profound.

Music does more than just make sounds, it changes the way we think and act. The skills your child will learn in music will help them be successful on the stage, in the classroom, and for the rest of their lives.

Music
%
of admissions officers of the nation's major universities say high school credit and achievement in the arts are significant considerations for admission.
points scored higher on the SAT for students involved in public school music programs according to the College Entrance Examination Board.
%
Lewis Thomas, physician and biologist, found that music majors comprise the highest percentage of accepted medical students.
%
of respondents (Gallup Poll), believe music is part of a well-rounded education and should be offered as part of the regular curriculum in schools.
 

What is Band?

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Message from the director:

Instrumental music instruction is available to your son or daughter at St. Thomas School. The child who learns to play an instrument learns discipline, cooperation with others, and a new way to a fuller, richer life. Playing an instrument automatically places him or her in worthwhile school activities; it gives him something interesting, pleasurable, and worthwhile to do. The Garwood Whaley Music Program is a local organization which offers contract music instruction in your school and our program was selected as the official program for instrumental music instruction for the Diocese of Arlington in 1979. The area program is supervised by Mr. Barry Ward and, uniquely, he is the band director at St. Thomas More. Mr. Ward has been teaching at your school for 45 years.

Students who participate in music have the lowest levels of current and lifelong use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs among any group in our society.

H. Con. Res 266 United States Senate, June 2000

Students taking courses in music performance and music appreciation scored higher in the SAT than students with no arts participation.

College Entrance Examination Board College-Bound Seniors National Report

Schools that have music programs have significantly higher graduation rates than those without music programs (90.2 percent compared to 72.9 percent).

U.S. Department of Education NELLS88 Database

Instrument Demonstrations

Parent Interviews

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Student Interviews

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Instrument Matching Tool

Part of enjoying the band is being successful on your instrument. This isn't a test, and you can't fail. The Instrument Matching Tool will help match you with the right instrument! EVERYONE can be in music. At the end, you will be asked to list your instrument preferences in priority order. Click on the button to begin.

Find Your Match

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Be Part of the Music

Music & Arts works closely with the local music directors to offer their preferred instruments and classroom materials. They are trusted by thousands of schools and parents nationwide. They make renting an instrument easy!

More Info

Is your child interested in joining band?

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Contact Information

St. Thomas More Beginner and Advanced Band
Director: Mr. Barry Ward
Phone: 703 963-8429
Email: the3wardsdad@aol.com
Website: http://stm@stmschool.org