Instrumental Music Program Overview

The instrumental music program at the South Orange County School of the Arts offers a widely diverse course of study for the instrumental student. The student receives extensive technical training on his/her instrument, studying music history, theory, composing and recording as well as the many performance opportunities in band, orchestra, and smaller instrumental ensembles. Attention will be given to the development of those musical skills which are most important to the professional player: sight reading, understanding of musical styles, accompaniment, pit orchestra work, jazz and pop music, and solo and ensemble playing.

The instrumental music teachers and staff are dedicated to giving each student the highest possible level of training, and will frequently invite guest artists to work with the instrumental students. The ultimate goal of the SOCSA instrumental music program is the development of talented and capable musicians who earn outstanding college and university recommendations, command attention in the world of professional music, and nurture a lifelong appreciation and love for all the arts.

Course Descriptions

Concert Band
This course is for students who have attained, at a minimum, intermediate proficiency on their instrument. Music of increasing difficulty is presented with instruction designed to increase the range, flexibility, endurance, tone quality, technical quality and stylistic interpretation of a wide variety of music. The group performs at school and community events, including, but not limited to, concerts, parades, field shows, assemblies, football games and festivals. It is strongly advised that band students enroll in Marching Band as well to provide PE credit.

Marching Band
This band performs for home football games, in parades, festivals and other special events throughout the Southern California area. Banner carriers, flag twirlers and tall flag carriers are chosen as an auxiliary unit of the Marching Band. An elite Pep Band is selected from the Marching Band to perform at pep rallies, away football games and other events.

Jazz Ensemble
Study of jazz repertoire and techniques for specific instruments including; trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, and rhythm instruments. Students will be exposed to elements of jazz theory and improvisation. Basic jazz harmonic constructions, as well as melodic, rhythmic and harmonic concepts, and how to apply those elements of jazz theory and improvisations. High standard of individual and ensemble performance are expected. Entrance to ensemble is strictly by audition only, and individual must also already be part of the large instrumental groups.

String Orchestra
This course is designed to give all string players a well-rounded music education, which includes string pedagogy and string orchestra repertoire in the spring. Orchestra winds and percussion are selected by the director from one of the school bands for the Spring Full Orchestra.

Wind Ensemble
This is the most advanced of the ensembles and is designed for the student who is a highly competent performer. The student is challenged by music of the highest caliber, requiring more sophisticated understanding of complex rhythms, all key signatures, musical terminology, ensemble skills, and extra effort on the part of the student. Wind ensemble is a major performing ensemble, and participation in concerts, festivals and assemblies is required.