COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Beginning Band
Beginning band is for 7th or 8th students with very little or no previous experience in instrumental music. Students who take this class are students who did not play a band instrument in elementary school and would like to or a student who was recommended by their elementary music teacher to repeat beginning band in middle school. Students in the class will choose one of the following instruments to study in the class: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, or percussion. Instruments can be provided by the student for the class (owned or rented/purchased from a music store). A small number of instruments are available from the school to borrow for the class. These are assigned to students based on need. All students need to purchase their own method book for the class. Students in this class do one performance a year at the end of the year concert.
Download the Beginning Band Class Syllabus.
Download the Beginning Band Class Supplies List for Borrowed Instruments.
Performing Band
Performing band is for incoming 7th grade students with at least 2 years experience on their instrument and a recommendation from their elementary school music teacher. It is also for 8th grade students who were in performing band the previous year or have completed the beginning band class as a 7th grader. As the title of the class suggests, the performing band does many performances throughout the school year. Performing band members participate in marching band activities the first and second quarter of the school year. These activities include two local parades/band reviews, and the school district band pageant. During the second quarter the performing band becomes the concert band. The activities for the concert band include the Winter Concert in December, the SCSBOA adjudicated concert band festival in March, the PYLUSD area festival in May, the 6th grade orientation assembly in May, a performance assembly for the school and the end of the year concert in June. The performing band will have a performance at either Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm either as the marching band or the concert band sometime during the school year. Due to the number of event entry fees, uniform cleaning, transportation costs, etc. the band boosters collect a ‘fair share’ fee for each participating student that goes with participating in the performing band to help cover many of those costs.
Download the Performing Band Class Syllabus.
Percussions
Percussions class is the performing band class for students that play the drums. Percussions class is for incoming 7th grade students with at least 2 years experience on the drums and a recommendation from their elementary school music teacher. It is also for 8th grade students who were in percussions class the previous year or have completed the beginning band class as a 7th grader on the drums. The percussions class does many performances throughout the school year. Percussions class members participate in marching band activities the first and second quarter of the school year. These activities include two local parades/band reviews, and the school district band pageant. During the second quarter the percussions class students participate in the concert band. The activities for the concert band include the Winter Concert in December, the SCSBOA adjudicated concert band festival in March, the PYLUSD area festival in May, the 6th grade orientation assembly in May, a performance assembly for the school and the end of the year concert in June. The percussions class, as members of the performing band, will have a performance at either Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm either as the marching band or the concert band sometime during the school year. Due to the number of event entry fees, uniform cleaning, transportation costs, etc. the band boosters collect a ‘fair share’ fee for each participating student that goes with participating in the percussions class to help cover many of those costs.
Download the Percussions Class Syllabus.
Jazz Band
Jazz band is a class that students get into by audition only. The class meets “0” period each day. Each member of the jazz band is registered for the jazz band class as well as being registered for the performing band class, percussions class, or an orchestra class. The class consists of 18 -25 members. Students must have a minimum of two years experience in music classes and/or private lessons. The jazz band consists of alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones; trumpets; trombones; electric guitar; electric/acoustic bass; piano; drum set; and auxiliary percussion. The ensemble participates in school performances, the PYLUSD area festival, and a performance at Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm.
Download the Jazz Band Class Syllabus.