DeMatha’s Music Program began in 1970 with 19 students. The Music Program now has an enrollment of over 400 students (out of 1000 enrolled at DeMatha).
Summer Music Program 2010 information
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The music curriculum includes five concert bands, three choruses, three percussion ensembles, two string orchestras, six levels of music theory, and a History of Rock and Roll class. The program also includes two jazz ensembles, a pep band for basketball games, a gospel choir, as well as numerous small ensembles.
The Music Program has received national and international acclaim. The National Catholic Bandmaster’s Association named DeMatha’s Wind Ensemble the top Catholic High School Band in 18 of 20 years. Each year the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Concert Band II, the Advanced Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble II, DeMatha String Orchestra, Voices of DeMatha, DeMatha Harmonics and the DeMatha Singers perform at local, national and international music festivals. DeMatha performing groups consistently receive Superior ratings at these festivals and have received over 40 Gold Medals at music festivals held in Chicago, Toronto, Orlando, Atlanta, Gatlinburg, Nashville, Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach and Daytona Beach.
Since 1970, over 1,000 student-musicians have been chosen to perform with the Maryland All State Bands, Orchestras and Choruses. An equal number have performed with the Washington Archdiocese Music Teacher Council Honor Bands throughout the years.
John Mitchell, the founder of the music program, received The Washington Post’s Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award for Private Schools in 1996. In 1993, the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) named Mr. Mitchell a “National Educator of Distinction”, one of seven high school educators nationwide selected. Mr. Mitchell, Mr. James Roper, Mr. James Turk, Dr. Michael Gatti and Mr. Matt Bickel ‘95 have a collective 114 years of teaching experience, including 84 years teaching at DeMatha.
Click here to learn more about The Magic of Music, the Instrumental Music Programs Annual Fundraising Gala, and other ways you can support the DeMatha Music Program.
In August 2009, the entire Music Department will relocate to the McCarthy Activity Center. The Department invites you to learn about the Tile Recogition Program for the new center.