"I am in band because I love the people and I love the performance. This is my family. Being here is the most important thing I've ever done and when I'm gone, I'll remember the experiences."

• We know that high school band students represent the top of the academic scale in our schools. We know that band students are averaging 62 points higher on SAT tests, which would indicate that they are stronger in verbal and math scores than other members of the student body. We also know band students are students who enjoy a successful high school career, go on to college and become the leaders in our society. There is a definite link between the top achiever academically and the band student. They are on and the same.
• In The Arts: An Essential Ingredient in Education, J. Buchen Milley states that "research shows that when arts are included in the student's curriculum, reading, writing and math scores improve." Like all arts, music has a profound effect on the academic success of the student.
• Band is a group effort. Members are required to shift from an I/Me reasoning to a We/Us concept. This means extending oneself beyond the normal considerations of much of our day-to-day living. Instead of the logic being, what's in it for me, it becomes, what's in it for us. The values of cooperation, communication, concentration, correlation and completion come into play each rehearsal and performance.
• Music is on of the few academic disciplines that requires the student to master skills and apply them in performance. In other words, music involves multiple forms of learning.
• Band builds positive self-worth. Although we share many similarities with our athletic counterparts, band is a place for everyone. Rarely is a person serving as an alternate or substitute. Everyone in the band plays a starting role.

"Band is an escape from the real world. I love displaying emotions through music. It can put you in many different moods and cheer you up at times. Music is always unique; it will never be the same twice."

Studies by the College Entrance Examination Board show that:

• "New research on intelligence and brain function point in exciting future directions that tie directly to music, while the continuing use of music as part of the curriculum is clearly associated with both academic skills and personal characteristics that are highly desirable for school progress and for developing the kind of well-educated young people we need for the nation's well-being."
• Students (1999) with experience in music performance scored measurably higher in both verbal and math sections of the Standardized Achievement Test (22 points above the mean on veral and 18 points above the mean on math).
• There continues to be a significant, and growing, spread between the scores obtained by musicians and those of their non-musical counterparts.
• The correlation between cognitive learning and musical understanding continues to prove they are linked, and improving one will develop the other. In fact, music is suspected to be the key for unlocking the scientific mind.
• The theory of "multiple intelligences" tags music as one of the separate minds, and being exposed to music strengthens all other learning forms.
• Scores rise proportionately higher with the length of time spent studying music in school.

"Band gives me a sense of honest belonging, and it's one of the only places I and many others feel genuinely accepted and loved. Band is warmth. I'm here to be part of the team."

Why should you consider joining the band?...Because high school band is unlike anything you have done before. It can greatly enhance your high school career, and it is, very simply, a great experience...

Freedom High School's band program has become known across Virginia, not only for its high standards of performance, but also for the quality of experience given to its members. 

The pride and sense of camaraderie, that are the cornerstones of our band, will profoundly impact your future. Most students who come to Freedom High School are aware of our reputation, but how we reach such high levels is at least a mystery, and often the source of great fear. Incoming freshmen often assume that the only way to get so good is to do nothing else. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, one of the facets of the band that we are most proud of is that we accomplish these very high goals while maintaining a balance with the total school experience. We have top scholars, athletes, honor society members, student government leader, etc. among our ranks.

"I am in band because I like being part of something great! Many people come together doing something they love to do and working their hardest at something to produce a great product."

Some Additional FAQs:
Will Band fit in an aggressive academic schedule?
Yes! We have students who are planning to enter all fields in college. The class schedule at Freedom High School is made to allow these students to take a full schedule of classes (including A.P.) and play in one of the bands during all four years.

How good do I have to be?
All students are admitted into the band program. Yes, even beginners!

Will band and time commitment adversely affect my grades?
Whether you are involved in other activities, or not, at Freedom High School, good grades are dependent upon being a good worker. If you are conscientious and organized, band, or any other activity, will not adversely affect your grades. If you are not conscientious and organized, grades will be a problem at DHS, even with no additional activities. The bands' schedules have been carefully developed to work with the school's academic demands. In fact, many of the school's top scholars are in band. We average two to three times our statistical allotment of members in the top of their graduation class and National Honor Society.

"Band teaches me a lot about life: the discipline, dedication, how hard work pays off, how to respect and how to enjoy."