Several parents and community members recently enjoyed a free concert of DeKalb County School System’s best jazz, classical and choral music thanks to the artistic talents of kindergarteners through twelfth grade students across the district. Last week, the school system’s Department of Instruction hosted the 2008 Fine Arts Showcase at Miller Grove High School in Lithonia.

This year’s program, themed Celebrate America, included performances from the elementary, middle and high school all-county choruses, the elementary honor band, Redan High School’s Jazz Band, and the DeKalb Youth Symphony Orchestra. No Man Is An Island, Four Brothers, and Dancin’ On The Bayou were a few of the selections showcased.

During her greetings, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Gloria Talley shared with the audience a conversation she had with DeKalb’s Choral Music Coordinator Dr. Michael Meeks, “‘Oh my goodness, what a talented group of young people we have,’ I told him, to which he responded ‘Ms. Talley this only scratches the surface.’” Artwork from elementary, middle and high school visual arts students were also on display for attendees to view.

Don P. Roberts is DeKalb’s Instrumental Music Coordinator and Dr. Meeks is DeKalb’s Choral Music Coordinator. Students can learn to play an instrument in the elementary school band or orchestra beginning as early as fourth grade. Instrumental music students perform concerts throughout the year and also have the opportunity to participate in the DeKalb Schools Elementary Honor Band and Honor Orchestra. The students perform under the governing body of the Georgia Music Educators Association and through this organization students are exposed to state and national music festivals, jazz ensembles, solo and ensemble performances, community concerts, and parades.

Chorus students are taught artistic music skills and knowledge such as creating, performing and producing, as well as rhythm, melody, expressive qualities and other elements of music. In addition, chorus instructors teach music appreciation classes and keyboard classes.

Chorus music students in middle and high schools participate in the DeKalb Choral Festivals and are also encouraged to participate in the Georgia Music Education Association Solo/Ensemble Festival, Georgia All-State Chorus auditions, and the GMEA District IV Honor Chorus Festival. Because of programs like the Fine Arts Showcase that encourage music education, DeKalb County students receive more music scholarship award offers than students in other school districts in the metropolitan area.

Related Links

www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/instruction/k12/instrumental/index.html

www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/instruction/choralmusic/index.html

www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/~choralmusic/

www.gmea.org