The Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) has recognized 10 schools from Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) with the Blue Ribbon Award. This award is the highest award given to schools’ music programs in the Commonwealth and recognizes excellence achieved in band, orchestra, and choral performance.
Each year, secondary band, orchestra, and choral ensembles perform at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association District Concert Assessment, and Virginia Choral Directors Association Stage Assessment. During these assessments, student ensembles perform for a panel of adjudicators who assess students on their performance, and provide feedback based on specific categories such as tone, intonation, rhythm, technique/diction, balance/blend, and artistry/musicianship. To qualify for this award, all disciplines in a school must receive a rating of "Superior" at their respective state music performance assessments.
Dr. Annamarie Bollino, supervisor of the arts for PWCS, commended the musicians, stating, "PWCS would like to congratulate all students and teachers who participated in the state music performance assessments. These are excellent opportunities to fulfill the strategic plan goal to increase student access to performance and production in the fine and performing arts. We would like to extend a special congratulations to our schools who received the VMEA Blue Ribbon Award and have demonstrated musical excellence at the highest level."
Congratulations to the following schools:
- Battlefield High School
- Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School
- Forest Park High School
- Freedom High School
- Gainesville High School
- Osbourn Park High School
- Patriot High School
- Woodbridge High School
- Marsteller Middle School
- Potomac Shores Middle School