Band & Orchestra

Welcome to the Home of the Beltsville Academy Bands and Orchestras (BABO)

Beltsville Academy
4300 Wicomico Ave.
Beltsville, MD 20705

Leslie Lowe, Principal

Here you will find important news, information, permission slips, calendar dates and attachments pertaining to the band and orchestra program.

Musically,
Jennifer Murray - Middle School Band & Orchestra Director jennifer.murray@pgcps.org
Lee Dvorak - Elementary Band & Orchestra Director lee.dvorak@pgcps.org

Beltsville Academy: (301) 572-0630

Prince George's County Public Schools Instrumental Music website: https://www.pgcps.org/music/ 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Middle School Orchestra is on "A" days this year.

Middle School Band is on "B" days this year.

6th graders: Band OR Orchestra is in your schedule this year!!! You will not miss any other classes when you come to Instrumental!!!

Please consider donating any unwanted new or used instruments, music books, music stands or other music instrument supplies to Beltsville Academy Bands and Orchestras instead of throwing them away. We will gladly recycle them into use! Thank you!

NEW FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2021-2022

All wind instrument players will be required to use musician masks and instrument PPE when playing instruments in school. String instrument and percussion instrument players will wear their regular face masks.

Beltsville Academy Band & Orchestra Parents

The Band and Orchestras are always looking for volunteers to help the support the program. If you are willing to help move chairs or stands for concerts, chaperon on field trips, or if you know of any community performance opportunities please feel to contact us and lend your help! If you would like to chaperon on trips please make sure you have followed school system guidelines and have been fingerprinted in advance of any trip.

As Always,
Thanks for you help!!
 
Parents, you can help your child's musical progress by:

1. Providing a quiet, well-lit place with a music stand for your child to practice. It is very important that your child use a music stand, and not lean over the bed or other furniture to practice, as this can cause your child to develop muscle problems and pain. Additionally, those who play wind instruments will not be able to gain enough air support to properly play their instruments.
2. Making sure that your child's instrument is in good working order at all times. Please make sure that you have obtained a good quality instrument for your child. A poor quality instrument can be difficult to play and can frustrate a child. This may cause them to want to quit playing.
3. Making sure that your child has all instrument/music supplies and takes them to school on lesson days or has them at home during distance learning days.
4. Encouraging your child to play for family and friends, but not forcing him or her to play for others when he/she doesn't want to.
5. Not using practice as a punishment.
6. Helping your child establish a practice schedule/routine.
7. Praising your child's efforts.
8. Attending live musical performances by other students as well as by professional musicians.
9. Bringing your child to his/her performances on time and staying with him/her to listen.
10. Reiterating the concepts of self-discipline, responsibility, commitment and teamwork that being in a band or orchestra teaches.

Don't forget to check your child's music class grades regularly on the School Max Family Portal here!