Course Descriptions

Course Title:    Concert Band

Grade Level:         9 - 12

Prerequisite: Students need the ability to read music and perform basic performance skills on a particular instrument. Most students enroll after 3 years of participating in middle school music programs. A small number of new students with no music experience are welcomed each year based on first come, first served.   

Course Description:  Concert Band is a co-curricular performance-based class. Band members will perform on traditional band instruments from home via Zoom in a variety of settings including full ensemble, sectionals, small groups, duets, and individually. Students will learn a wide variety of literature encompassing hundreds of years of music history, as well as more contemporary compositions. With the opportunity to distance learn this year, we will be incorporating music labs and experiments from the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) educational approach. This will give students an engaging, hands-on experience from home. All STEAM lab supplies and sheet music will be provided for students for free.

Course Title:    Jazz Band 

Grade Level:         9 - 12

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation: Membership is by audition only, as instrumentation is limited. A high degree of proficiency is expected from each student, as we approach and attain a professional level of performance.    

Course Description: Jazz Band is a co-curricular performance-based class. Band members will perform on traditional jazz band instruments from home via Zoom. Students will learn a wide variety of jazz literature encompassing nearly a century of jazz history, as well as more contemporary compositions. Members are amongst the best musicians in the Lakeport Unified School District. This course is designed as a supplemental ensemble to the Concert Band. This class will serve as an introduction to the rich history of jazz music. Through ensemble rehearsal, individual practice, and a variety of performance opportunities, the student will gain an understanding and appreciation for this great art form. Emphasis will be placed on not just performance technique, but also rudimentary improvisational skills, musicianship, and a sense of personal accountability. This ensemble is a skilled effort in which each student is expected to show technical and musical growth throughout this course. 

Course Title:    Recording Technology 

Grade Level:         9 - 12

Prerequisite:        Teacher Recommendation: Membership is by audition only, as space is limited. A high degree of proficiency is expected musically, as the majority of assignments require students to read music and have a core understanding of intermediate to advanced music theory.

Description: Recording Technology is a co-curricular class that meets on a daily basis. Members are amongst the best musicians in the Lakeport District. Students explore music composition, arranging, recording techniques, light engineering, sound engineering, and stagecraft. Students complete weekly assignments ranging from composition, recording, to sound engineering for actual community performances. Often students are required to practice their skills at performances outside of normal school hours such as the spring musical. Grading is based on class work, homework, and performances for sound/light engineering and stagecraft.

Philosophy on Music

Music provides an aesthetic experience unlike any other. No other subject works both the creative and the analytical sides of the brain so strenuously as music. This strenuous “exercise of the brain”, compliments a student’s endeavors in all other classes as well.  Studies have shown time and time again that students who study music at an early age tend to excel in languages, math, and sciences as well.  On average, they test higher than students who have had no musical study.  It is ironic that students look upon very few subjects as being as much fun as music.  The person who plays in a musical group paves the way for a lifetime of musical enjoyment in listening and possibly in performing.

Participation in a music group provides many non-musical benefits, such as developing a sense of responsibility, learning to work together as a team, and feeling a sense of accomplishment in doing something well.  However, the primary purpose of a musical performing group is to build instrumental technique and musicianship, and to make music together.

Every aspect of music is important and will be emphasized at various stages in a student’s development.  The core of the instrumental program is the concert band.  Music offers a unique opportunity to challenge each student cognitively, emotionally, and physically.  It provides for emotional expression, intrinsic worth, and has a positive impact on individuals, families, communities, and cultures.