The Mount Saint Charles Music Community

Music has been a part of Mount St. Charles Academy since its founding in 1924.  In the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s it was one of the very few schools in the country with a school band or orchestra.  By the 1950’s and 1960’s it was one of the finest school bands around.  Since that time it has continued to grow in scope and quality.  It now includes two high school bands and a junior high band.  A junior high and senior high chorus.  A junior high and senior high jazz band as well as many instrumental and vocal ensembles.  Mount St. Charles also has a handbell program that was presented with the National Exemplary School Handbell Program Award.

• Mount has one of the largest and most comprehensive commissioning projects in the country with over thirty works commissioned and premiered during the past 25 years.  Composers from all over the country come to Mount and work with the students in preparation for the World Premiere performances.
  
  
• The music department has won top awards at State, National and International festivals.  These festivals include places such as Washington, Virginia, New Orleans, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec.  The music department also has a long-standing exchange program and concert tours in Ireland.  Highlights include a “Peace and Friendship” concert with students from Ireland and Northern Ireland, and most recently a concert at
  “The National Concert Hall” in Dublin.
  
  
• Mount music students consistently place a large number of students in All State ensembles and receive many top awards at solo and ensemble festivals.
  
  
• The fine arts outreach program regularly brings top quality music to local schools and civic organizations.  One of the yearly highlights for the community is the annual “Lessons & Carols” Advent celebration at a local church.
  
  
• The music department regularly brings in nationally know performers to work with and perform with the Mount students.