What instruments can my student play in the Los Cerritos Band?
Flute, Oboe*, Clarinet (or Bass Clarinet), Saxophone (Alto, Tenor or Baritone), Bassoon*, Trumpet, French Horn*, Trombone, Euphonium*, Tuba* and Percussion. Students who join Jazz Band in 7th or 8th grade can also play drum set, piano, bass or guitar (with prior experience).
Instruments with a * symbol are referred to as “scholarship instruments”. Middle School, High School and University bands are always in short supply of players for these and college scholarships are often relatively easy to earn compared with other instruments.
How do we choose an instrument?
Students rarely succeed in learning an instrument they are not interested in. All beginning and intermediate students will be given the opportunity to try just about every instrument we offer during our Band Orientation at the beginning of the school year. Their ability to produce sound will be evaluated and recommendations will be made although the ultimate decision belongs to the student and parents. The U.S. Army Field Band put this video together demonstrating all of the instruments available in band
I don’t own an instrument, where can I get one?
We have a limited selection of instruments available for student’s use. These instruments are available on a first come, first served basis. The best situation is to rent an instrument as they are in new or almost new condition and many stores have rent-to-own plans. Don’t purchase an instrument right away as some students end up switching instruments. Also don’t purchase without speaking to us about recommended brands and models. We can recommend a list of quality instruments for beginning, intermediate or advanced students.
How are students in the band classes graded?
Students are graded on playing tests, occasional worksheets or online assignments (using Canvas), and performances. Students must attend all performances. Students who attend performances on time with all required materials will automatically receive an “A” for that performance. If they miss a performance without prior approval, their grade will be lowered. Students can earn extra credit by attending live music performances outside of school and writing a “Live Performance Paper” about the experience.
Band sounds like it takes a lot of time. How much time outside of class is required?
In general, the only after school time required is for performances. Most of the band classes will have around 1 or 2 performances per semester. As with all middle school classes, students are expected to practice at home (just as they’re expected to do homework or study for their other classes). 30 minutes per day 4-5 days each week will allow students to flourish in music.
My child has been playing their instrument for several years and is coming in as a sixth grader. Can he/she sign up for Advanced Band?
No. 6th grade students at Los Cerritos can only take an elective during “A” period, 5th period or 6th period due to the schedule of 6th grade academic classes. Their only options are Beginning Band or Intermediate Band. If a student is sufficiently advanced, there are additional opportunities that can supplement their musical experience such as Jazz Band, Solo & Ensemble Festivals or auditioning for Honor Bands.
Why do you recommend private lessons?
Private lessons benefit beginners as well as the most advanced students. A student gets individualized instruction that helps them develop as a player. We maintain a list of private teachers for all instruments that have proven success with students at all ages.
Why not just do private lessons and not sign up for band?
In Band, students learn teamwork and responsibility as well as valuable musical skills that can’t be achieved one on one. They learn to blend, balance and tune with others. They learn to follow a conductor. Band class and private lessons are interlinked and important to the overall success of the student.
Are private lessons mandatory?
No! Private lessons are heartily recommended but students will not be penalized in any way for not taking them.
Do students ever get specialized help within the band itself?
Yes. We have several staff members as well as some volunteers who will come in and work with groups of students. We currently have brass, woodwind and percussion instructors. We also have specialists come in to work with other instruments as opportunities permit. See our list of current instructional staff.
What are the financial obligations?
If a student wishes to use a school owned instrument they are asked for an optional $100 donation for the year. This is not required but helps us cover maintenance and cleaning of the instrument as well as the replacement of older equipment. This works out to about $10 per month and is much cheaper than the monthly rental fee of a music store.
All students are asked for suggested donation to help cover band costs (This year it was $150). This is not required and no student will ever be excluded for financial reasons but we rely heavily on donations to continue to provide the same level of program as in years past. This helps cover additional instructors, music, performances, transportation, supplies, snacks and water at performances and various other costs.
The bands at Los Cerritos wear a concert uniform. This can be purchased new for $72 or a student can request a free used loaner uniform. In the event a student outgrows a purchased uniform, they can trade it in for the appropriate size.
The Los Cerritos Instrumental Music Boosters support the band and strings programs by helping to raise additional money throughout the year to offset the costs of running great music programs. Parents are encouraged to volunteer and there are many different opportunities to do so.
My student wants to participate but we cannot handle the financial obligations. What if I can’t pay?
We want every student to participate! No student will ever be excluded for any financial reason. Any required materials or clothing items can be provided to students if they cannot pay. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Again, we want everyone to participate regardless of his or her financial situation.
How can I possibly keep track of all of this stuff???
The band webpage located on the Los Cerritos website will be updated to include documents and announcements. For more specific information we use a website called Charms Music Office. Each student or parent can login and see the calendar (which can also be synced to a smartphone calendar), documents, staff and booster contact information. Charms Music Office has a smartphone app and can also be used by students to record playing tests.
My student has other after school activities, are there going to be issues with that?
Many of our students participate in after school sports and activities. We currently have students who play baseball, softball, football, track, swimming, theater, dance, martial arts and various other activities. While scheduling conflicts do arise from time to time, the students and parents who pay attention to the schedule and communicate with the band director are able to work things out. We always do our best to compromise so that students are able to participate in band while continuing other activities successfully.
Flute, Oboe*, Clarinet (or Bass Clarinet), Saxophone (Alto, Tenor or Baritone), Bassoon*, Trumpet, French Horn*, Trombone, Euphonium*, Tuba* and Percussion. Students who join Jazz Band in 7th or 8th grade can also play drum set, piano, bass or guitar (with prior experience).
Instruments with a * symbol are referred to as “scholarship instruments”. Middle School, High School and University bands are always in short supply of players for these and college scholarships are often relatively easy to earn compared with other instruments.
How do we choose an instrument?
Students rarely succeed in learning an instrument they are not interested in. All beginning and intermediate students will be given the opportunity to try just about every instrument we offer during our Band Orientation at the beginning of the school year. Their ability to produce sound will be evaluated and recommendations will be made although the ultimate decision belongs to the student and parents. The U.S. Army Field Band put this video together demonstrating all of the instruments available in band
I don’t own an instrument, where can I get one?
We have a limited selection of instruments available for student’s use. These instruments are available on a first come, first served basis. The best situation is to rent an instrument as they are in new or almost new condition and many stores have rent-to-own plans. Don’t purchase an instrument right away as some students end up switching instruments. Also don’t purchase without speaking to us about recommended brands and models. We can recommend a list of quality instruments for beginning, intermediate or advanced students.
How are students in the band classes graded?
Students are graded on playing tests, occasional worksheets or online assignments (using Canvas), and performances. Students must attend all performances. Students who attend performances on time with all required materials will automatically receive an “A” for that performance. If they miss a performance without prior approval, their grade will be lowered. Students can earn extra credit by attending live music performances outside of school and writing a “Live Performance Paper” about the experience.
Band sounds like it takes a lot of time. How much time outside of class is required?
In general, the only after school time required is for performances. Most of the band classes will have around 1 or 2 performances per semester. As with all middle school classes, students are expected to practice at home (just as they’re expected to do homework or study for their other classes). 30 minutes per day 4-5 days each week will allow students to flourish in music.
My child has been playing their instrument for several years and is coming in as a sixth grader. Can he/she sign up for Advanced Band?
No. 6th grade students at Los Cerritos can only take an elective during “A” period, 5th period or 6th period due to the schedule of 6th grade academic classes. Their only options are Beginning Band or Intermediate Band. If a student is sufficiently advanced, there are additional opportunities that can supplement their musical experience such as Jazz Band, Solo & Ensemble Festivals or auditioning for Honor Bands.
Why do you recommend private lessons?
Private lessons benefit beginners as well as the most advanced students. A student gets individualized instruction that helps them develop as a player. We maintain a list of private teachers for all instruments that have proven success with students at all ages.
Why not just do private lessons and not sign up for band?
In Band, students learn teamwork and responsibility as well as valuable musical skills that can’t be achieved one on one. They learn to blend, balance and tune with others. They learn to follow a conductor. Band class and private lessons are interlinked and important to the overall success of the student.
Are private lessons mandatory?
No! Private lessons are heartily recommended but students will not be penalized in any way for not taking them.
Do students ever get specialized help within the band itself?
Yes. We have several staff members as well as some volunteers who will come in and work with groups of students. We currently have brass, woodwind and percussion instructors. We also have specialists come in to work with other instruments as opportunities permit. See our list of current instructional staff.
What are the financial obligations?
If a student wishes to use a school owned instrument they are asked for an optional $100 donation for the year. This is not required but helps us cover maintenance and cleaning of the instrument as well as the replacement of older equipment. This works out to about $10 per month and is much cheaper than the monthly rental fee of a music store.
All students are asked for suggested donation to help cover band costs (This year it was $150). This is not required and no student will ever be excluded for financial reasons but we rely heavily on donations to continue to provide the same level of program as in years past. This helps cover additional instructors, music, performances, transportation, supplies, snacks and water at performances and various other costs.
The bands at Los Cerritos wear a concert uniform. This can be purchased new for $72 or a student can request a free used loaner uniform. In the event a student outgrows a purchased uniform, they can trade it in for the appropriate size.
The Los Cerritos Instrumental Music Boosters support the band and strings programs by helping to raise additional money throughout the year to offset the costs of running great music programs. Parents are encouraged to volunteer and there are many different opportunities to do so.
My student wants to participate but we cannot handle the financial obligations. What if I can’t pay?
We want every student to participate! No student will ever be excluded for any financial reason. Any required materials or clothing items can be provided to students if they cannot pay. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Again, we want everyone to participate regardless of his or her financial situation.
How can I possibly keep track of all of this stuff???
The band webpage located on the Los Cerritos website will be updated to include documents and announcements. For more specific information we use a website called Charms Music Office. Each student or parent can login and see the calendar (which can also be synced to a smartphone calendar), documents, staff and booster contact information. Charms Music Office has a smartphone app and can also be used by students to record playing tests.
My student has other after school activities, are there going to be issues with that?
Many of our students participate in after school sports and activities. We currently have students who play baseball, softball, football, track, swimming, theater, dance, martial arts and various other activities. While scheduling conflicts do arise from time to time, the students and parents who pay attention to the schedule and communicate with the band director are able to work things out. We always do our best to compromise so that students are able to participate in band while continuing other activities successfully.
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