Fine Arts

Music

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Bishop Ireton High School has long been known for its outstanding music program and state-of-the-art performance and rehearsal facilities. Music class options are available for students at all levels of ability and experience, from beginner to advanced. All students have the opportunity to access a supplemental staff of professional musicians who provide sectionals, masterclasses and private lessons.

Bishop Ireton has six performing ensembles who provide music for concerts, recitals, mass, receptions, special events, tours stateside and to Europe.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Concert Band
Choir
String Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble
Guitar Ensemble

Our students regularly receive Superior ratings throughout Diocese competitions and in spring of 2023 were awarded a Superior rating at the District 10 Band Assessment at Bishop Ireton’s first ever appearance. Several of our students participate in All-District Band, Solo and Ensemble and some are eligible for All-State Band.

The Bishop Ireton Symphonic Wind Ensemble (BISWE) is well known throughout the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia for annual concert tours to Europe which are often exchange programs with schools or community bands. The Wind Ensemble has had the privilege of performing in Germany, France, Spain and Italy. Trips within the United States are available for all students in the music department.

Students also share their musical talents throughout the community, such as the Jazz Ensemble’s performances at a local assisted living facility. In addition, a newly started PEP band helps to cheer the Bishop Ireton Cardinals on the field!

Faculty

List of 2 members.

Daniel Kosko

Music Teacher

703-212-5182

Bio
Daniel L. Kosko, currently in his 5th year as a full-time music teacher at Bishop Ireton High School, he teaches band, orchestra, choir, guitar and AP music theory. Prior to joining the staff at Ireton, he was with Fairfax County Public Schools, having served 32 years as a band director at all levels of K-12 education. His last 24 years with FCPS were spent as band director at Robert Frost Middle School were the program grew from 79 students to a high of 270 members enrolled in four levels of band and two percussion classes.

The Frost Symphonic Band continually earned superior ratings at state sponsored assessments and numerous grand champion awards at Musicale competitions in the Mid-Atlantic region. The band performed at the Virginia Music Educators Association state conference and had the privilege of performing at the 53rd Annual Midwest Clinic held in Chicago, IL. Mr. Kosko and the Frost Symphonic Band received the Sudler Silver Cup for 2002 awarded by the John Philip Sousa Foundation to middle school band programs demonstrating consistently high standards over many years. He was the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Frost-Robinson Summer Band Camp for 22 years, a camp which served the music needs of over 150 instrumental students in a three-week camp session, employing a staff of 21 professional teachers and musicians.

Mr. Kosko received his Bachelor of Music in Composition from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 1980. He completed graduate studies a year later, receiving his Master of Music in Education and Instrumental Conducting from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Mr. Kosko is active as a guest conductor and adjudicator for many district and state honor bands and festivals in the Mid-Atlantic region and serves as a member of the Executive Board for the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director’s Association. He also serves as an adjunct professor of music for Northern Virginia Community College.
Stephen Rice

Band Director