Colonial Forge High School is one of five secondary schools (grade 9-12) in Stafford County and part of a school system serving over 24,000 students. With a student population of 1900, over 200 Colonial Forge students are enrolled in one or more music classes. Instrumental music instruction begins in the sixth grade for band at the 6 feeder middle schools in the Stafford County school system.

The music curriculum at Colonial Forge includes concert band, jazz ensemble, marching band, and numerous small ensembles. Two faculty members instruct these classes.  In total, CFHS maintains three full concert bands, percussion ensemble and jazz ensemble.

Colonial Forge bands consistently receive superior ratings in grade V & VI literature at district festivals and are a seven-year recipient of the Virginia Honor Band award.

For the sixth straight year, Colonial Forge has been designated a Blue Ribbon School by the Virginia Music Educators Association. This distinction is awarded to schools in which all top performing ensembles receive a superior rating at district festival. At Colonial Forge, the band, choir, and orchestra achieved superior ratings each year since 2002.