Music

Year Course

Fulfills “F” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: None

This course is designed to help the untrained young voice. The course covers basic principles in vocal production, tone, diction, projection of the individual voice, and music reading. A variety of music will be performed, including rock, jazz, folk, and classical. Emphasis will be placed on performance. This class, which is primarily for 9th grade, can be used as a training ground and feeder group for the mixed chorus. Attendance at all performances is required.

Year Course

Fulfills “F” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: Previous singing experience or teacher recommendation required

This course offers students the opportunity to continue to develop the basics of singing, to study all types of music ranging from classical to rock, and to perform frequently. Emphasis will be placed on the study of advanced choral music with regard to the fine art of interpretation and tone production. Attendance at all performances is required. May be Repeated for Credit.

Year Course

Fulfills “F” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: Previous basic instrumental training and teacher recommendation

A class designed for the band student not quite ready for the difficult music literature offered in Symphonic Band. It is also an excellent opportunity for current Symphonic Band members to study a new or secondary instrument. Attendance at all performances is required. May be Repeated for Credit.

Year Course

Fulfills “F” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: Previous advance band experience or teacher recommendation

This is an elective course open to all students. The student’s proficiency on the instrument must be great enough to ensure active band participation. Band activities include football band, concert band, and ensembles. Students are encouraged to participate in as many of these groups as possible. By performing, students gain self-confidence, a sense of teamwork, and responsibility. Attendance at all performances is required. May be Repeated for Credit.

Year Course (ECHS only)

Fulfills “F” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

String Ensemble is a year-long course for students wishing to explore music as a career path. The purpose of the course is to prepare students to become pragmatic and analytical within the domain of music by laying a foundation in the fundamentals of music. Students will learn to play a wide variety of technical exercises and pieces of music from a variety of cultures and genres and develop technique and learn personal discipline and communal responsibility. May be Repeated for Credit.

Year Course

Fulfills “F” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

This is a course offered to a limited number of advanced students interested in ensemble playing and modern music. Rehearsal and training are carried on throughout the year in areas of musicianship, improvisation, sight reading, and the establishment of excellent musical standards. Literature ranges from jazz standards to contemporary jazz ensemble literature. Attendance at all performances is required. May be Repeated for Credit.

Year Course

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

This is a capstone course offered to a limited number of advanced students interested in ensemble playing and modern music. Rehearsal and training are carried on throughout the year in areas of musicianship, improvisation, sight reading, and the establishment of excellent musical standards. Literature ranges from jazz standards to contemporary jazz ensemble. Attendance at all performances is required. May be Repeated for Credit.

Auditions are held in the ECHS band room of the Little Theater. Always show up to auditions early. If possible, show up at least 20 minutes beforehand. Arriving early allows you to warm up and be fully prepared. 

Check in at the band room and sign in. Take your instrument out and begin warming up.

An audition can last 10-15 minutes. When auditions begin, students will perform in the order that they signed in. Auditions for symphonic band will occur individually. Students auditioning for jazz band will accompany a rhythm section. The band director and two or three other assistants will be in the room. Parents are welcome to stay for the audition. 

A list of placements for all students who auditioned will be posted in the band room's glass cabinet at the end of the week.

Symphonic and jazz band are the top bands. Concert band is the apprentice band for symphonic band and is the class where the music fundamentals are established. Lab band (jazz combo) or jazz ensembles meet during 0 period.

New students should sign up for Concert Band. After auditioning, the band director will make the appropriate course changes with the counselors.

Yes. 

Students should enroll in the apprentice ensemble concert band.

Students should obtain a copy of the audition materials and ask their current music teacher(s) to help them practice 
Following are some additional recommendations:

• Scales. Practice slowly and focus on sound quality and intonation. Practice at a faster tempo only after achieving good sound quality and intonation.
• Prepared piece. For jazz band, try for a great jazz feel. For symphonic band, try to emulate a pure tone. Pay attention to dynamics and articulation marks.
• Sight reading. Practice sight reading with sheet music. Play slowly until you can play the rhythms correctly. Use a metronome. Pay close attention to the key signature and read through a tune before starting to play it in order to anticipate difficult spots.
• Jazz solos. Listen to great jazz masters playing solos on the same tune you are learning. Learn their solos in order to learn the jazz vocabulary they are using. Jazz musicians ultimately sound like a mixture of all the musicians they have listened to and studied with a little bit of their own personality mixed in. Use this audition as an opportunity to get started on this great, lifelong project.
• Classical solos. Listen to great musicians and imitate and emulate their tone and phrasing.