Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band is an intermediate/advanced ensemble open to students with an instrumental background who wish to be a part of a quality performing group. There will be a strong emphasis on instrumental techniques and music fundamentals taught through performance. This course is open to grade 9 students only. As a result of participation in this class, the student will be ready to audition for more advanced ensembles.

 

The Symphonic Band is an ensemble committed to a high level of study and performance of standard and contemporary large band repertoire. This ensemble provides the students with the opportunity to study and perform outstanding band literature from the Renaissance to the present.

 

Attendance at all performances is mandatory. Performance opportunities include fall, winter and spring concerts, CMEA Band Festival, solo/ensembles, and feeder school concerts. There are also opportunities for individuals to audition for other ensembles: Honors Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Bands, All-State Honor Band, and the Santa Clara County Honor Band.

 

• Prior Recommended Course(s): At least one year of instruction on a band instrument, and at least two years’ experience in your middle school band program. If you do not meet this requirement, you must audition for the directors. If you were not part of your 8th grade band you must audition. Please contact Mr. Nakamoto to set up an audition.

• Homework Expectation: 90-120 minutes per week outside of class practice. Both performance and written assessments will be included in the curriculum

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Crescent Ensemble

Crescent Ensemble is an advanced ensemble open to students with a strong instrumental background who wish to be part of a quality performing group. There will be a strong emphasis on performance techniques and developing a repertoire of the finest literature for performances. This course is open to grades 10, 11, 12. As a result of this experience, the student will be able to better express themselves creatively, and they will have a knowledge and appreciation of music history. Both performance and written assessments will be included in the curriculum. Crescent Ensemble is an ensemble committed to a high level of study and performances of standard and contemporary large band/chamber repertoire. This ensemble provides the students with the opportunity to study and perform outstanding band literature from the renaissance to the present.

 

Attendance at all performances is mandatory. Performance opportunities include fall, winter and spring concerts, CMEA Band Festival, solo/ensemble, feeder school concerts, and graduation. There are also opportunities for individuals to audition for other ensembles: Jazz Band, Honors Symphony Orchestra, All-State Honor Band, and the Santa Clara County Honor Band. 

 

• Prior Recommended Course(s): At least two years of instruction on a band instrument and at least one year in Concert Band at Los Gatos High School. If you are entering Los Gatos from outside LGSUHSD schools you must audition for the directors. Please contact one of our band directors to set up an audition. 

• Homework Expectation: 90-120 minutes per week outside of class practice. Both performance and written assessments will be included in the curriculum.

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Wind Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble is a highly advanced and audition-only ensemble open to students with an extensive background in instrumental music performance. This ensemble will focus on the performance techniques and knowledge of repertoire associated with the finest in band and wind literature. All of the selected works, concepts learned, and techniques developed, will adequately prepare students to participate in collegiate-level musical ensembles. This course is open to grades 9-12.

 

There is an opportunity for all students in this ensemble to participate in small chamber music ensembles. Performance assessment, written assessment and self-assessment will be integral parts of the curriculum. Attendance at all performances is mandatory. Performance opportunities include Fall, Winter, and Spring concerts, California Music Educators Association Festivals, Solo-Ensemble festivals, feeder school concerts, regional and national tours, community events, and graduation. There are also opportunities for students to audition to participate in select

ensembles such as the Jazz Band, Honors Symphony Orchestra, the Santa Clara County Honor Band, the California Band Directors Association All-State Honor Band, and the California Music Educators Association All-State Honor Band.

 

• Prior Recommended Course(s): Teacher approval and/or audition required. Auditions for Wind Ensemble are held in the spring each year for the following year. At least three years of instruction on a band instrument is required. Incoming 9th-Graders are welcome to audition into the ensemble or enroll in Symphonic Band. If you are entering from outside LGSUHSD, you must have performed in your school band for one year.

• An Honors offering is available for 11-12th grade students

• Homework Expectation: 2 hours per week

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Jazz Band

The Jazz Band will focus on the performance techniques and knowledge of repertoire associated with the finest in jazz band literature. The jazz band is one of two audition-only ensembles in our band program at Los Gatos, open to grades 9-12. Emphasis placed on the preparation for the performances and evaluation at concerts and various jazz festivals throughout the year. Students will perform music from the international jazz heritage, drawing from, but not limited to, the following styles: blues, swing, be-bop, ballads, bossa nova, samba, funk and jazz rock. 

 

Performance assessment, written assessment and self-assessment will be integral parts of the curriculum. Students will also study and practice jazz improvisation, using music theory and guided listening as tools to an exploration and development of improvising skills. Attendance at all performances is mandatory. Performance opportunities include Winter and Spring Concerts, guest artist concerts (featuring jazz professionals as guest soloist), various Jazz Festivals and various local concerts in other schools or the community.

 

• Prior Recommended Course(s): Student must be a concurrent member of the Band or Orchestra at LGHS. Teacher approval and/or audition required.

• An Honors offering is available for 11-12th grade students

• Homework Expectation: 2 hours per week
 

 

NOTE REGARDING MARCHING BAND

Please note that enrollment in our concert program(s) (district-wide) includes marching band. Students who complete three seasons of marching band will waive three semesters (15 units) of Physical Education, beyond Health and Fitness in the 9th grade. For more information on Marching Band please visit the FAQs.