Stage Band is designed for the band student who would like to broaden his/her knowledge of the field of jazz. Instruction includes improvisational reading and playing techniques, as well as general music education in the areas of major/minor scales, simple chord construction, sight-reading difficult jazz rhythms, articulation styles of jazz, seventh and ninth chord identifying, and performing ear-training concepts. Music material consists of music charts from the Big-Band era to modern day jazz. Students perform at various school functions, community events, and attend jazz clinics and festivals. Stage Band students belong to a performing organization that provides opportunities and experiences permitting them to participate and progress to their fullest potential. Students are taught to become as proficient on their instrument as time and ability allows.

This year-long course in marching concepts, halftime show and in-door pageantry is offered to letter carriers, majorettes, rifle team members, and tall flag corps. Members participate in all home varsity football games and state-wide band reviews and competitions, parades and theme park concerts.

This course is designed for the non-beginner and non-advanced student who has a few years’ experience, but requires further instruction in order to play advanced band literature. Instruction includes rhythm pattern exercises, major, minor, and chromatic scales, teacher-selected music, basic harmony, theory, ear-training, note/rest value and identification, time and key signature, instrument history, transposition, and general music education in the areas of major/minor scales, chord construction, and sight-reading rhythm patterns. Students are taught to become as proficient on their instrument as time and ability allows. Students in this course are required to practice outside the school day. Periodic individual auditions are scheduled to validate this procedure and rate results for possible placement into the advanced band program. They have the opportunity to listen to audio band music recordings and watch videos of musical groups in marching and concert band performance. Required listening includes classical, contemporary, baroque, and other music styles. Records of student assignments and audition scores are kept by the teacher for quarter and semester grading purposes.

Stage Band is designed for the band student who would like to broaden his/her knowledge of the field of jazz. Instruction includes improvisational reading and playing techniques, as well as general music education in the areas of major/minor scales, simple chord construction, sight-reading difficult jazz rhythms, articulation styles of jazz, seventh and ninth chord identifying, and performing ear-training concepts. Music material consists of music charts from the Big-Band era to modern day jazz. Students perform at various school functions, community events, and attend jazz clinics and festivals. Stage Band students belong to a performing organization that provides opportunities and experiences permitting them to participate and progress to their fullest potential. Students are taught to become as proficient on their instrument as time and ability allows.

Advanced Band is a one-year course divided into two-semester parts: marching band and concert band. The marching session involves learning music for parades, halftime shows, pep rallies, and band reviews. Concert band members play music literature from different eras written for concert, symphonic, and wind ensemble musical groups. Small ensemble groups (woodwind, brass, percussion) are initiated for community events and participation in solo and small ensemble festivals. Advanced Band students belong to a performing organization that provides opportunities and experiences permitting them to participate and progress to their fullest potential. Instruction includes general music education in the areas of major/minor scales, chord construction, and sight-reading difficult rhythm patterns.

This is an introductory course designed to assist students with developing and enhancing musical literacy skills through the study of instrumental and vocal music composed expressly for Mariachi. The ability to learn a traditional mariachi instrument with basic technical proficiency, aesthetic sensitivity and cultural mindfulness will be emphasized in preparation for public performances and a career in mariachi in real world settings. Students will explore a wide range of “Mexico’s traditional music” that will include the following musical forms, but not be limited to, ranchera, bolero, polka, vals, jarabe and son. Public performances will help facilitate a deeper knowledge of performance etiquette and technique that will develop musicianship skills, aesthetic understanding, and cultural awareness. This course will integrate vocal studies and promote biliteracy by analyzing and singing lyrics in Spanish.

Orchestra is designed for the non-beginner student who has experience on a string instrument (violin, viola, cello and upright bass). Students play music literature from different eras written for string ensembles. Small ensemble groups (2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello) are initiated for community events and participation in solo and small ensemble festivals. Orchestra students belong to a performing organization that provides opportunities and experiences permitting them to participate and progress to their fullest potential. Instruction includes general music education in the areas of major/minor scales, chord construction, and sight-reading difficult rhythm patterns. All Orchestra members are required to practice outside the school day. Periodic individual auditions are scheduled to validate this procedure and rate results into a section seating order.

Drumline (Indoor Percussion) is a one-year course divided into two-semester parts: marching band and indoor percussion. The marching session involves learning music for parades, halftime shows, pep rallies, and band reviews. Indoor Percussion members play music literature specific to indoor percussion ensembles. Drumline/Indoor Percussion students belong to a performing organization that provides opportunities and experiences permitting them to participate and progress to their fullest potential. Instruction includes general music education in the areas of major/minor scales, drum rudiments, and sight-reading difficult rhythm patterns.