Estancia High Instrumental Music

Course Syllabus

Pep Band

Jazz Studio

A vision for our future:

Since around 1999, the Estancia High School Music Program has slowly declined to near extinction. Today, we have an opportunity to rebuild the program.

This rebuild must take place in the following areas to ensure musical excellence for your young musician:

Digital Classroom Repaired & New instruments More & better fit course offerings Community engagement

Grades

Academic grades are based on the following:

Attendance and Daily Participation 25% Performances 45% Individual Preparation 20% Written Assignments/Tests 10%

**Jobs are NEVER considered an excused absence. Any conflict needs to be cleared by the Director of the Ensemble with at least two weeks notice before the performance. Make up project/assessment will be given to all students that miss a performance.

Expectations

Performances are required for all groups. A few after or before school rehearsals and sectionals may also be required. Individual practice for all groups is mandatory and private lessons are highly recommended and in some ensembles, mandatory.

Performances should not be missed for any reason. Unexcused performances may mean removal from the class by the director and/or a failing academic grade.

Individual Preparation outside of the class time

is essential and required by the University of California

and California State University schools for the “f” requirement to ensure the students success throughout

the musical process.

Journals or practice logs will be required at various times of the year to validate each student’s progress and to assign an academic grade. Various assessments will be made to determine outside preparation grade, including but not limited to practice records, journals, tests and other documentation.

Punctuality and Preparedness are vital to success in both performance ensembles and in life. These traits are key to creating dependability and personal responsibility. This is true of performances and rehearsals, for every rehearsal is a performance leading up to the culminating experience of the concert.

“Great artists are great artists because they enjoy practice as much as performance. That is because their practices (or repetitions) are always performances. Repetition in rehearsal is both repetition and deepening. One must experience focused repetition in order to discover the mysteries of the art. One must experience repetition in order to explore the beauties of the piece. One must repeat in rehearsal in order to learn a fundamental human condition: commitment.”

-Dr. James Jordan

Conductor of the Williamson Voices

Eligibility In order to retain placement in what are considered premier ensembles or to be authorized for membership in extra-curricular community ensembles, students MUST MAINTAIN an “A” grade of at least 95% and exemplary attendance habits. Per agreement with extra-curricular community ensembles of the immediate area, attendance at all NHS Performing Arts events are mandatory and take priority over engagements of the community ensemble.

Behavior Students are expected to adhere to the Estancia Student Rules & Regulations as outlined online at estancia.nmusd.us, in relation to both behavior and academic honesty. Furthermore, students will follow the classroom rules to maintain a positive classroom environment.

Classroom Rules

1) Be Respectful to Yourself, others, equipment and facilities.

2) Be ON TIME

3) Always Come Prepared

4) No Eating or Drinking in the Instrumental Music Room or Performing Arts Center, except for bottled water

Consequences are at the discretion

of the director.

Required Supplies

Books and sheet music will be supplied to the student. Students should bring their instrument, music, a pencil, and a notebook (for class notes and handouts) to class each day. A metronome (digital or quartz) and a tuner are necessary for home practice. Each student must maintain a music folder. Mark your parts only in pencil. Please put your name on every page. A charge will occur for missing or damaged music.

Instruments and Equipment

The school owns some instruments. They are available for checkout and use in school events only. Please insure the instrument under your homeowners’ policy or purchase a separate insurance policy for it (information available at Informance).

Repairs and general maintenance is the responsibility of the student. Please refer to your Instrument Check-out agreement for more information. Excessive wear and tear or negligence will be the responsibility of the student.

Lockers

Lockers are available for all students but most will have to share. Please purchase a lock for $5.00 from the music office and use assigned lockers only. You may only use a school provided lock. All other locks will be removed at no liability to the Instrumental Program.

**You must request a locker during the first class meeting. Please anticipate your needs for the entire academic year.

Concert Dress/Uniforms All instrumental music students are required to wear appropriate concert attire.

LADIES participating in Instrumental Music performances are required to wear completely black, floor-length, one piece, dresses with black dress shoes.

Spaghetti straps, halter necks, or side or back slits are not allowed.

An approved concert dress is available for purchase from the Instrumental Boosters (TIMB) for $72. An optional black shrug (jacket) may be purchased for an additional $30. Fitting sessions will be announced in instrumental music classes and at the Informance. Dresses must be ordered and paid for at this fitting. Checks should be made payable to TIMB. Girls are encouraged to bring their mothers or a responsible adult to the fitting to confirm size choices. If you or your mother is available to help with the fitting sessions, please contact Jeanne Stone at (714) 573-3978 or email: For more information, please refer to the TIMB website

BOYS participating in the Instrumental Music performances wear black tuxedoes or black suits with white, long-sleeved, dress shirts, black bowties, and black shoes and socks.

If you have a Northwood High Trader Card, you can purchase a wool tuxedo, shirt and bowtie for $99 from Suits 4U. Taxes and hemming are extra. Suits 4U (949-830-7848) is located at 23815 El Toro Road at Rockfield in Lake Forest near the 99-Cent Store. Trader cards can be purchased from Instrumental Boosters (TIMB).

**Note: Please refer to the Marching Band Uniform Agreement for specifics in that ensemble. A separate uniform will be assembled, at a modest fee, for those enrolled in any Jazz Ensemble.

School Loop & Music Website

At times, class material will be posted online for students to access at home. Students can find this material on the Estancia Music website that will go live in October.

Performance CalendarN.B. The calendar is a work in progress. Dates and times subject to change.

Mighty Marching Eagles Football Games: Sept 12, 19, 26, Oct 17, 30;

The Eagle Experience Friday, October 17 – Homecoming!

Fall/Winter Concert Series December

Musical TBD

Festival Concert Series March

NMUSD Instrumental Honors Concert TBA

Jazz Studio Live May

Pops Concert Series June

Contact Information

(949) 515-6525 – Mr. Nordrum: snordrum@nmusd.us

Music Director, Estancia High School

(949) 936 – 7259 – Mr. Fitzpatrick: sfitzpatrick@nmusd.us

Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator, NMUSD www.nmusd.us/vapa/