IMPORTANT REGISTRATION DATES

Monday 9/15 Registration Opens

Monday 9/15 School Assemblies

Sunday 9/21 Percussion Auditions Due

Wednesday 9/24 Instrument Night at HMS 4-6pm @ HMS Band Room 405

Wednesday 10/1 Valentine Classes begin!

Thursday 10/2 Carver Classes begin!

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Need help choosing an instrument?

Check out our Instrument Selecting, Buying & Renting guide! HERE and/or attend our Instrument Night at HMS to try out instruments and talk to your teachers!

Questions?  Email schools@encorepasadena.com 

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REQUIRED MATERIALS

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BAND
1. Essential Elements 2000 method book for your instrument
2. Your Instrument
3. Binder with sheet protectors to keep music & a pencil

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ORCHESTRA

1. String Explorer Book 1 for your instrument

2. Your Instrument
3. Binder with sheet protectors to keep music & a pencil

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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 middle school!​

 

When are PERCUSSION auditions?
To play percussion in 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 Sunday, September 21st. 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 Tuesday, September 23rd at 7pm. If you do not make it in percussion we encourage you to choose a different instrument for this first year to learn the musical foundations needed to succeed in percussion!​

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PERFORMANCES

Carver and Valentine have separate rehearsal schedules but will perform in March together. Please note that a few rehearsals in March have been set aside for the two schools to practice their combined music in preparation for our concert.  Performance and rehearsal dates at Huntington Middle School (HMS) are the week of March 2nd and can be found in the '25-'26 Band & Orchestra schedule.

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Band Performance will be Tuesday, March 3rd at 5:30 and Orchestra Thursday, March 5th at 6:30pm in the HMS auditorium.

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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 schools@encorepasadena.com