Music Education

Overview

Around 59% of DCSD students participate in music programs, which means over 61,000 students. The elective programs include band, chorus, orchestra, general music, music appreciation, piano keyboarding, AP music theory, music theory, guitar, and music technology.

DeKalb County School District has been recognized as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” by the National Association of Music Merchants in 2014, 2015, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024. DeKalb County School District provides general music education for all students from kindergarten through fifth grade. Students can begin their instrumental musical journey as early as the fourth grade, with opportunities to participate in elementary school band or orchestra. These young musicians perform concerts throughout the year and can join the elementary Honor Chorus, Honor Band, and Honor Orchestra.

At the middle school level, DeKalb County’s music programs stand as transformative spaces where students not only learn but thrive. These programs rank among the largest in Georgia, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and inclusivity. Middle school students are provided with opportunities to participate in various honor band, orchestra, and choral activities within the DeKalb County community and beyond. Under the guiding framework of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), students are exposed to state and national music festivals, jazz ensembles, solo and ensemble performances, and much more. Through these experiences, students not only refine their technical skills but also develop confidence, discipline, and a deep appreciation for the arts.

In high school, the music programs elevate this transformational journey, empowering students to lead, innovate, and excel on regional, national, and global stages. The band, chorus, and orchestra programs, also governed by GMEA, serve as catalysts for creative expression and community engagement. High school students annually participate in large group performance evaluation (LGPE), community concerts, parades, honor ensembles, jazz festivals, and marching band festivals. Many of these programs have earned national and international acclaim, with featured performances in prestigious events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade, and global trips to Africa, China, and France.

DeKalb students have also made their mark in major productions, including the Twentieth Century Fox hit movies Drumline and Drumline: A New Beat. These remarkable achievements are a testament to the vision, dedication, and artistry that define the Music Department.

The Music Department of DeKalb County School District serves all schools and centers K-12, providing a comprehensive and dynamic music education program that is committed to fostering artistic excellence, creativity, and academic achievement through music.

Vision

To inspire and empower every student through music education, fostering artistic expression, cultural appreciation, and academic success.

Mission

The mission of the Fine Arts Education Department in DeKalb County School District is to enable every student to become artistically literate, creative, and a life-long participant in Fine Arts.

We believe that:

Music Education is an active, life-long process that is sequential and skill-based.
Music Education fosters the development of mental focus and organization.
Music Education provides a framework wherein students can learn intrapersonal and Interpersonal skills.
Music Education involves, enhances, and contributes to the life of the community.

Calendar

Performance Evaluation

Purpose and Process of Large Group Performance Evaluation

The Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) is an annual assessment designed to measure the musical achievements of school ensembles, including band, chorus, and orchestra. Sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), LGPE adheres to established participation rules and performance standards, providing a structured evaluation of student musicianship.

Ensemble directors select repertoire that showcases fundamental performance skills and curriculum concepts. For choral groups, music difficulty is categorized from Class A (most advanced) to Class D. Band and orchestra pieces are graded from Level 1 to Level 6, with Level 6 being the most challenging. Each choral ensemble performs two selections, one of which must be chosen from an approved list corresponding to their difficulty level. Each band or orchestra ensemble performs three selections, two of which must be chosen from an approved list corresponding to their difficulty level.

Nationally recognized adjudicators evaluate ensembles on various performance aspects. This rigorous process is comparable to standardized testing in other academic subjects, assessing students' musical knowledge and skill development through prepared performances and sight-reading exercises.

Three expert adjudicators assess the prepared pieces, while a fourth evaluates the ensemble's sight-reading abilities—performing a new piece at first sight. Additionally, clinicians provide immediate feedback through brief workshops, offering strategies for improvement and highlighting effective performance elements.

Adjudicators use a five-tier rating system to communicate performance standards:

I – Superior: Outstanding performance, worthy of distinction.
II – Excellent: Unusually good performance, but not of the highest standard.
III – Good: A good performance with room for improvement.
IV – Fair: Performance shows obvious weaknesses.
V – Poor: Performance reveals a lack of preparedness and understanding.

Adjudicators also provide commentary on the director's effectiveness in musical communication through gestures. Professional audio recordings of each performance serve as valuable resources for continued study and reflection.

This comprehensive evaluation process ensures that students and educators receive meaningful feedback, fostering continuous improvement and excellence in music education across the DeKalb County School District.

Music Subject Areas

Band

General Music/Choral

Jazz

Orchestra

Other Courses

Fine Arts Pathway & Diploma Seals

Fine Arts Pathways

High school students can earn a Fine Arts Pathway by successfully completing three full credits in one of four Fine Arts disciplines: Dance, Music, Theatre, or Visual Art. Recognized by the Georgia Department of Education, the Fine Arts Pathway also fulfills one of the requirements for earning the Fine Arts Diploma Seal, highlighting a student’s dedication to artistic excellence.

See Fine Arts Pathway Infographic to plan your student’s course sequence in the arts:

The 2024 high school graduation rate for DCSD seniors completing a Fine Arts Pathway is 96.91%.

Fine Arts Diploma Seals

The Fine Arts Diploma Seal is awarded to graduating high school student who complete a Georgia Fine Arts Pathway and engage in creative industry focus courses, extra-curricular activities and experiences that foster Fine Arts mastery. The goal of this seal is to produce students who are prepared for college and careers in these Fine-Arts related career fields.

The Fine Arts Diploma Seal will be awarded to DeKalb County graduating high school seniors who:

Earn three credits in one of the following fine arts courses in dance, music, theatre, or visual art plus at least one additional fine arts credit in dance, music, theatre, or visual art OR credit in a course that provides a creative industry skill focus (see the list below)
Participate in two or more arts related extracurricular activities and experiences that foster fine arts mastery
Submit documentation of the completion of 20 hours of arts-related community service this school year
Complete a capstone project including a written artist statement about their experience

The creative industries in Georgia represent a combined $62.5 billion in total economic impact and $37 billion in revenue for Georgia’s economy. They employ more than 200,000 artists, actors, dancers, musicians, and administrative staff earning $12.1 billion in wages. The creative industries represent 5% of all employment in the state.

Source: Georgia's Creative Industries, 2017

The diploma seal is a signal to employers and higher education institutions that a student is prepared to participate in the creative economy in Georgia and beyond.

Congratulations to Fine Arts Diploma Seal Class of 2024 recipients listed by school below.

Arabia Mountain High School – 7 Graduating Seniors
Cedar Grove High School – 5 Graduating Seniors
Chamblee High School – 15 Graduating Seniors
Clarkston High School – 2 Graduating Seniors
Cross Keys High School – 22 Graduating Seniors
DeKalb Early College Academy – 1 Graduating Senior
DeKalb School of the Arts – 65 Graduating Seniors
Druid Hills High School – 3 Graduating Seniors
Dunwoody High School – 10 Graduating Seniors
Lithonia High School – 19 Graduating Seniors
Southwest DeKalb High School – 14 Graduating Seniors
Stephenson High School – 17 Graduating Seniors

DeKalb County Fine Arts Diploma Seals
Year	Total Earned
2024	185
2023	174
2022	137
2021	132
2020	101

Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP)

The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a residential summer program for skilled, knowledgeable, and talented high school sophomores and juniors. GHP offers instruction that is significantly different from the typical high school classroom and is designed to provide students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.

GHP is held in mid-summer (mid-June to mid-July) as a residential educational experience on a college or university campus. Students attend classes in the mornings and afternoons in specific areas of study, and they participate in a wide variety of social and instructional opportunities every evening. Meals and rooms are provided by the program. The only required and expected costs to the students are: travel expenses to and from the semifinalist event and host campus; a few basic supplies for classes and dorm rooms; and spending money as desired during the program.

More information:

Each year all sophomores and juniors in DSCD high schools may apply through the local selection process.

2025 GHP Music Finalists

High School	Student	Major/Concentration
DeKalb School of the Arts	Finnbar Tierney	Jazz: Guitar

2024 GHP Music Finalists

High School	Student	Major/Concentration
DeKalb School of the Arts	Sterling Mank	Music: Jazz- Acoustic or Electric Bass
DeKalb School of the Arts	Josiah Moore	Music: Jazz- Trumpet
Dunwoody High School	Rafael Bustamante	Music: Brass- Euphonium
Homeschool	Sean Mouzon	Music: Brass- French Horn
DeKalb School of the Arts	Samantha Ralston (alternate)	Music: Voice- Soprano

2023 GHP Music Finalists

High School	Student	Major/Concentration
Dunwoody High School	Lucas Barrett	Music: Brass – Trumpet
Dunwoody High School	Rafael Bustamante	Music: Brass – Euphonium
Dunwoody High School	Annie Peng	Music - Piano

Professional Organizations

Teachers are strongly encouraged to join and actively participate in professional organizations that offer valuable support and resources. These organizations provide access to workshops, conventions, journals, and newsletters, fostering professional growth and collaboration. They also organize national, regional, and statewide events that benefit students. Below is a list of recommended organizations for educators.

ACDA – American Choral Directors Association: www.acda.org
AOSA – American Orff-Schulwerk Association: www.aosa.org
ASTA – American String Teachers Association: www.astaweb.com
ECMMA – Early Childhood Music & Movement Association: www.ecmma.org
GIML – The Gordon Institute for Music Learning: www.giml.org
GMEA – Georgia Music Educators Association: www.gmea.org
NAfME – National Association for Music Educators: www.nafme.org
NBA – National Band Association: www.nationalbandassociation.org
OAKE – Organization of American Kodaly Educators: www.oake.org
TI-ME – Technology Institute for Music Educators: www.ti-me.org

Booster Organizations

Booster organizations play a vital role in supporting school programs by collaborating with groups such as the P.T.A., fostering a strong foundation of encouragement and advocacy for comprehensive education. These clubs allow parents and community members to actively support students in music programs, creating a nurturing and inspiring environment. While booster clubs provide valuable assistance, the professional guidance of a music director remains essential. Meetings should focus on collaboration, with committees handling minor issues and musical performances incorporated to maintain engagement. Fundraising efforts support trips, equipment, and awards, but all activities must align with Georgia law and DeKalb County School District guidelines, with principal approval required for fundraising projects. Please refer to Board Policy: LEC

By working together with enthusiasm, accountability, and purpose, booster clubs strengthen the music program, enriching the educational experience for students and fostering a lifelong appreciation for music.

Contact

Monica L. Fogg is an accomplished music educator and leader with over two decades of experience in K-12 music instruction and curriculum development. She currently serves as the K-12 Music Coordinator for DeKalb County School District, where she oversees curriculum implementation, professional development, and District-wide music initiatives. A passionate advocate for music education, she has directed award-winning ensembles and spearheaded major projects, including SPLOST-funded instrument acquisitions.

Monica holds an Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Argosy University, an M.M. in Music Education from the University of Florida, and a B.A. in Music Education from Bethune-Cookman College. Through her leadership, she continues to shape the next generation of musicians and educators.

Ms. Monica Fogg | Coordinator | PreK-12 Music | 678.676.0209
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard | Stone Mountain, GA 30083

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