Celebrating Arts in our Schools
March is National Arts in Our Schools Month, highlighting the importance of arts education in fostering student creativity, confidence, and critical thinking. This wouldn’t be possible without talented educators like Andrew Sharrock, band teacher at Glasgow Middle School, who was named Outstanding Secondary School Teacher at last year’s Honors celebration.
Andrew was nominated for this honor by one of his students’ parents. They noted that he is the “number one cheerleader for his students. He takes pride in his work and routinely lets the students know how proud he is of them for putting in the time and effort to learn and improve.”
In his seven years at Glasgow, Andrew has expanded the band program from 160 students to more than 300 students, six concert ensembles, and a jazz band. “Students want to be in his classroom, a part of his program,” a colleague shared. He is dedicated to fostering daily success while providing world-class performance opportunities.
His ensembles consistently earn superior ratings at district assessments, and in 2024, the Glasgow Middle School Wind Ensemble became the first Title I school in FCPS history to perform a featured concert at the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference. His students consistently achieve high levels of success, with many students selected for the All-District Band each year.
Andrew is also well respected by his peers. They shared that “he is a natural leader and mentor who fosters collaboration and inspires both students and colleagues.”
Principal Lisa Barrow shared that “Mr. Sharrock's unwavering dedication to his students, his commitment to excellence, and his exceptional achievements in music education make him an outstanding candidate for the FCPS Teacher of the Year award.”
Band Director Among Wolf Trap Grant Winners for Performing Arts
Andrew Sharrock is among 13 public middle and high school teachers to receive grants from the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. Wolf Trap’s Grants for Performing Arts Teachers fund music, dance, and theater projects in public school classrooms in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
The grants are part of an annual program to support area public school teachers who are working to bring innovative performing arts experiences to their communities.
Glasgow Middle School will commission Texas-based composer Jorge Vargas to create an original band composition for their June concert. Vargas will work directly with students, guiding them through the new piece before conducting the world premiere performance that evening. Students will develop technical and expressive performance skills, broaden their cultural perspectives by engaging thoughtfully with contemporary music by the Mexican American composer, and experience the excitement and responsibility of performing a world premiere.
All grantees and their students are invited to participate in a celebratory day of learning at Wolf Trap featuring teaching artist workshops, peer shares, tours of Wolf Trap’s performance venues, and an enrichment project exploring arts career paths; participating high school students are invited to perform at The Barns at Wolf Trap on Monday, April 20.
