The Marching Band Performance course is designed for students interested in developing their skills in performing marching band literature. The course emphasizes marching skills and routines, and covers the fundamentals of corps style marching and marching band techniques. Through a performance medium, students will be assessed on what they have learned in rehearsals. The course is designed to be repeatable for duplicate credit, providing students with multiple opportunities to hone their skills and gain experience.

In addition to the opportunity to improve their skills and gain experience, students who participate in band or music for all four years of high school also stand out to university admissions. The skills that students learn and practice in band are highly valuable and transferable to a variety of fields. This course provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, teamwork, discipline, and responsibility.

Throughout the Fall semester, students will perform and travel to 4-5 field show competitions, home varsity football games, San Francisco Fleet Week, and other community performances. These performances provide students with valuable experience in real-world settings, helping to prepare them for future performances. Additionally, the course provides students with the opportunity to create lifelong friendships and memories through their participation in Marching Band and Color Guard.

At a glance:

• A course for students interested in developing their skills in performing marching band literature, emphasizing marching skills and routines, and covering the fundamentals of corps style marching and marching band techniques.

• Repeatable for duplicate credit, providing students with multiple opportunities to hone their skills and gain experience. Participating in band or music for all four years of high school is highly valued by university admissions, providing transferable skills such as leadership, teamwork, discipline, and responsibility.

• Fall semester includes 4-5 field show competitions, home varsity football games, San Francisco Fleet Week, and other community performances. Real-world performance experiences help prepare students for future performances, while creating lifelong friendships and memories through participation in Marching Band and Color Guard.

Intermediate Band is a rigorous course designed for freshman students interested in improving their performance skills and taking their musical abilities to the next level. Through intensive study and practice, students will gain a deep understanding of the process, content, and analysis of music. Emphasis is placed on the development of fundamental skills such as balance, blend, intonation, and rhythm, as well as the ability to perform quality concert band literature.

This course provides an opportunity for students to begin work that could lead directly into a major program of study at the university level. Students will participate in the audition process for the "Santa Clara County Honor Band" or equivalent event, which may include instructional lessons, independent study, and research. Class requirements are planned in accordance with the California State Music Standards and the National Standards for Music Education.

In addition to regular classwork, students will participate in performances at concert band festivals and local and community venues. This course is a great opportunity for freshman students to strengthen their musical skills and develop a strong foundation for future musical pursuits. Furthermore, participating in band/music for all four years of high school can make students stand out to university admissions, as they develop and practice valuable skills through their involvement in music.

At a glance:

• Intermediate Band is a rigorous course that emphasizes the development of fundamental skills in music such as balance, blend, intonation, and rhythm, while performing quality concert band literature.

• Students in this course will have the opportunity to participate in the audition process for the "Santa Clara County Honor Band" or equivalent event, and will be expected to meet the California State Music Standards and the National Standards for Music Education.

• With regular performances at concert band festivals and local venues, this course provides a strong foundation for future musical pursuits and can make students stand out to university admissions when they participate in band/music throughout high school.

Advanced Band is a course designed for Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band students who have completed the prerequisite with a grade of "B" or better or instructor approval. The course emphasizes an intensive examination of the process, content, and analysis of music through demonstration and performance.

Emphasis is placed on performing quality concert band literature and developing fundamental skills such as balance, blend, intonation, and rhythm. Students will participate in the audition process for the "Santa Clara County Honor Band" or equivalent event, which may include instrumental lessons, independent study, and research. The course will also prepare students for the possibility of college auditions through research and performance.

To meet the demands of the mature musician, students may need to consider purchasing an instrument. The course addresses the five component strands of the state VPA standards and class requirements are planned in accordance with the California State Music Standards and the National Standards for Music Education.

Performances include concert band festivals and local and community venues, and work outside the class will be required, such as sectionals, private lessons, and rehearsals. This course provides a great opportunity for students to strengthen their musical skills and develop a strong foundation for future musical pursuits. Furthermore, participating in band/music for all four years of high school can make students stand out to university admissions, as they develop and practice valuable skills through their involvement in music.

At a glance:

• Intensive examination of music process, content, and analysis through performance and demonstration

• Emphasis on performing quality concert band literature and developing fundamental skills such as balance, blend, intonation, and rhythm, with the opportunity to audition for "Santa Clara County Honor Band" or equivalent event

• Preparation for college auditions through research and performance, with class requirements planned in accordance with state and national music standards, and performances at concert band festivals and local and community venues.

Beginning Jazz Ensemble is a course designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of jazz music, with a focus on improvisation. Students will learn the basics of playing jazz instruments such as saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm section (bass, guitar, piano, drums, percussion, voice). The major emphasis of this course is to provide an intensive examination of the process, content, and analysis of jazz music through demonstration and performance. Emphasis is placed on rehearsing and performing quality jazz literature as well as development of the fundamentals of style, rhythm, and basic jazz nomenclature. Students will have the opportunity to perform in a variety of settings and will learn the skills necessary to be successful in more advanced jazz courses.

Advanced Jazz Ensemble is a continuation of Jazz Ensemble is designed for students who have demonstrated proficiency on their instrument and have a strong interest in jazz music. The major emphasis of this course is to provide an intensive examination of the process, content, and analysis of jazz music through demonstration and performance. Emphasis is placed on performing quality jazz band literature, as well as development of the fundamentals of style and improvisation. Students will perform music from various historical and cultural backgrounds. The goal of this course is to perform jazz band music at a level, which constitutes successful festival performances, as well as concert performances. Music performed at the upper high school or college level will be required. Students are required to work outside of the classroom, including performance preparation, performances, and critiques. This course may be repeated for duplicate credit. Prerequisites include instructor approval. Students will perform at local festivals and community events, representing Santa Teresa High School.

At a glance:

• Introduce students to the fundamentals of jazz music, with a focus on improvisation, and provide an intensive examination of the process, content, and analysis of jazz music through demonstration and performance.

• Emphasize rehearsing and performing quality jazz literature as well as developing the fundamentals of style, rhythm, and basic jazz nomenclature.

• Offer students the opportunity to perform in a variety of settings and learn the skills necessary to be successful in more advanced jazz courses.

The Digital Music 1 CTE course will focus on teaching concepts present in the Performing Arts and Professional Music Industries. In addition to teaching the elements of music performance, this course will also align with the Arts, Media, and Entertainment standards contained within the Career Technical Education framework. Students will focus on composition, artistic interpretation, career exploration, and the creation of a professional portfolio. 

This course will implement technology use and access to industry professionals to facilitate a relevant educational and musical experience that will prepare students for careers associated with the performing arts. This course will build on foundational music theory and technical knowledge to prepare students for specific career paths in the creation, performance, or production of music. This course will also introduce students to the latest trends in music technology to assist them in music theory, composition, and performance and prepare students for careers associated with the performing arts.

At a glance:

• Industry-Focused Curriculum: Aligns with Arts, Media, and Entertainment CTE standards to introduce students to careers in music performance, production, and composition.

• Hands-On Learning: Emphasizes music theory, digital composition, and portfolio development using current music technology and professional tools.

• Career Exploration: Provides access to industry professionals and real-world applications to prepare students for roles in the performing arts and professional music industries.