Experience Success!

IMPORTANT REGISTRATION DATES

Friday, August 1st: Program Registration Begins & ALF Instrument rentals open

Tuesday, August 19th: Parent Informational Q&A via ZOOM @ 6:30pm

Thursday & Friday 8/21 & 8/22: Band & Orchestra Assembly for students, during school hours, at each school

*Teachers will take their classes to the assembly at scheduled time during school hours

Saturday, August 23rd: Percussion Audition Videos Due

Monday, August 25th: Percussion Results will be sent via email by 7pm

Tuesday, August 26th: ALF Instrument rentals CLOSE at 5pm

Wednesday, August 27th: Instrument Rental Pick-Up 3:15-5:30 @ Lanterman Auditorium (must pre-order, orchestra students must come in person to ensure proper sizing)

September 2nd: Classes begin

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Need help choosing an instrument? Check out our Instrument Selecting, Buying & Renting guide!

Questions? Email lcusd@encorepasadena.com 

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CONCERT BAND & ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS

Please ensure your students are prepared to meet the proficiency requirements for these courses before registration, if they have not participated in beginning ensemble but have taken private lessons to meet the requirements they can join and will be asked to demonstrate their skill. Teachers will be checking that students meet standards during the first week of class.

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What are the proficiency requirements for Concert Band? Students must be able to play 2 scales and show general understanding of the instrument. They must be in 4th-6th grade.

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What are the proficiency requirements for Orchestra? Students must be able to play a D major scale, play a simple sight reading passage, play one solo piece and show general understanding of the instrument. They must be in 4th-6th grade.

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When will students audition to be in Concert Band & Orchestra? Students will be tested in groups during the first week of class.

What happens if I don't pass the requirements? We want students to be successful in their placement, if we do not feel the current ensemble is the best fit the parent will be contacted privately to discuss options and next steps based upon the individual student.

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PERCUSSION AUDITIONS

Due to a disproportionately large number of students choosing percussion as their instrument, this section has the prerequisite of one year of piano lessons (or other instrument) and is selected by audition only. The percussion section will be a maximum of 3 chairs, but may be smaller depending on the size of the ensemble. This is common practice, ensuring a balanced ensemble and providing the best learning experience for all students in the program. Why piano? Because piano is a percussion instrument! Learning piano first is beneficial for those planning to join a band’s percussion section because it develops essential musical skills like reading both treble and bass clefs, understanding rhythm and timing, and enhancing hand coordination. The techniques and skills gained, such as hand independence and precise timing, are directly transferable to other percussion instruments like drums, marimba, and xylophone. Additionally, piano education provides a solid grounding in music theory and overall musicianship, making it easier for students to adapt to and excel in the percussion section of a band. If your child is interested in percussion, we encourage them to study piano OR join the band playing another instrument for their first year so they will be better equipped to audition for percussion in their second year!​

 

When are PERCUSSION auditions?
To play percussion in Beginning Band you must submit a percussion audition video of yourself playing a 45 second piece on piano (or other instrument) via THIS FORM no later than Saturday, August 23rd. Please name your uploads with the student's first and last name OR say their first and last name at the beginning of the video. We are looking for students with a good sense of rhythm and hand coordination. We will make selections and communicate them with parents privately so you can rent or buy a BELL KIT if selected. Results will be sent by Monday, August 25th at 7pm. If you do not make it in percussion we encourage you to choose a different instrument for the first year to learn the musical foundations needed to succeed in percussion!

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To join percussion in Concert Band we require having passed percussion last year or one year of instrument study and the submission of an audition video playing a 45 second solo on piano or any band instrument via THIS FORM no later than Saturday, August 23rd. Please name your uploads with the student's first and last name OR say their first and last name at the beginning of the video. Results will be sent by Monday, August 25th at 7pm.

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SECTIONALS: SPONSORED BY ALF!

Sectionals are an important opportunity for all 3 schools to come together for a deeper dive into their music. There will be no class on sectional days.  Winter sectionals are tentaively scheduled for November 12th-14th, and Spring sectionals are tentatively scheduled for April 7th-9th. A specific schedule for each afternoon will be shared a minimum of one month before the performances. Rehearsals on these days will take place between 3:15-7:15pm.

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PERFORMANCES

The performance and rehearsal dates at Lanterman Auditorium are December 9th & 10th 2025, and May 5th & 6th 2026. A specific schedule for each day will be shared a minimum of one month before the performances. 

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ATTENDANCE​

Please be on time for your classes and prepared with your instrument, book, and a pencil. In the event you need to miss one of your classes, you may attend your class at a different school location (tell your student if you need to pick them up a little early!). Students are recommended to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to be best prepared to perform—for the benefit of the entire ensemble. Thank you for supporting your child’s musical journey—we can’t wait to see all they’ll accomplish!

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PRACTICE and ATTITUDE
We understand that students may not always be able to practice, but for maximum enjoyment of these courses it is best for students to try to play their instruments every day, if even just one song! This regularity will help them to build the habit of playing and to gain familiarity with their instrument. Students in Concert Band and Orchestra should be playing a minimum of 15 minutes a day, 4 to 5 days a week. This is not a requirement, but is strongly suggested to get the most out of the class.

Students are not required to like every piece of music or classroom activity, but they are asked to demonstrate a cooperative attitude and the spirit of teamwork for the good of the group as a whole.

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Questions? Email lcusd@encorepasadena.com