Music Courses at Hopkins Junior High
| Welcome to the world of
band and orchestra! This is an introduction to the Hopkins Junior High
Music Department. The Hopkins Music Department is considered to be one of
the best in the State of California, with its award-winning bands and
orchestras! Whether your student has had years of experience playing an
instrument, or just now wants to start learning about music, Hopkins has a class
that will help your students grow as a musician. The music program at
Hopkins Junior High has a long tradition of success and building successful
musicians. We have 4 different bands, 3
orchestras, and 2 jazz bands at Hopkins, as well as several smaller ensemble
opportunities.
Participating in music is much more than just picking up an instrument and playing along on your favorite tunes. Music reaches across all areas of the curriculum, including math (counting and subdividing rhythms), foreign language (many terms are written in Italian, German, or French, as well as English), history (music reflects the environment and times of its creation), and even physical education (coordination of fingers, hands, arms, etc). Not only that, but music creates a family atmosphere where students can have fun learning and make new friends as well. The bands and orchestras at Hopkins offer many performance opportunities. This includes an annual trip to Disneyland taken by our Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Advanced Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble. All ensembles perform at a Winter Concert, a Spring Concert, California Music Educators Association Festivals, and much more. Students who participate in music will find that they develop skills of displaying their talents in front of large audiences that will carry over into many other fields. Colleges also look very favorably on students who have the dedication and skills necessary to participate in music. (Click here for more information related to this.) For a full description of our program, please scroll down. Students who participate in music always have a special connection throughout their lives to music, and I know that your child will benefit from the many advantages of participating in band or choir. To find out which class is right for your student, please talk to or call Mr. Conway at 510-656-3500, ext. 38023, or email him at gconway@fremont.k12.ca.us or gconway@musicathopkins with any questions. I look forward to seeing your student in band or orchestra! |
| WIND ENSEMBLE Wind Ensemble is a very advanced concert band class for students who have played 3-4 years on their instrument and complete an audition. Space in this class is very limited! Special accommodations are made for those students who are exceptionally gifted on their instrument. It is a full year elective. Typical instrumentation is trumpet, trombone, tuba, baritone, French horn, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, oboe, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, and percussion. The Wind Ensemble performs at a high level and guides students to a new level of musicianship. Students have several performance opportunities during the year. They also travel to Anaheim, CA, to perform in the Music in the Parks Festival at Disneyland, as well as competing in the California Music Educators Association Festival at Cal State Hayward. Symphonic Band is an advanced concert band class generally geared towards students who have played 3-4 years on their instrument. Special accommodations are made for those students who are exceptionally gifted on their instrument. It is a full year elective. Typical instrumentation is trumpet, trombone, tuba, baritone, French horn, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, oboe, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, and percussion. The Symphonic Band performs at a high level and guides students to a new level of musicianship. Students have several performance opportunities during the year. They also travel to Anaheim, CA, to perform in the Music in the Parks Festival at Disneyland, as well as competing in the California Music Educators Association Festival at Cal State Hayward. The Concert Band is generally geared towards students who have played 1-3 years on their instrument, although some years beginners may be allowed to register. This is the band that most 6th graders will sign up for. It is a full year elective. This band begins the year in Book II. Typical instrumentation is trumpet, trombone, tuba, baritone, French horn, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, oboe, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, and percussion. The Concert Band concentrates on teaching students the many aspects of performance and playing in a band on a daily basis, and improves student musicianship through the use of method books and appropriate literature. Students will have several performance opportunities, including 2 on campus concerts, a day trip to a Music in the Parks Festival at Great America, and the California Music Educators Association Festival at Cal State Hayward. BEGINNING BAND (Not offered in 2011-12) Beginning Band is generally geared towards students with either: 1) no prior experience on an instrument, 2) Up to a year of experience on an instrument, 3) Those students who did not finish the Standard of Excellence, Book I. It is a full year elective. Typical instrumentation is trumpet, trombone, tuba, baritone, French horn, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, oboe, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, and percussion. Students are introduced to all the different instruments of the band and start with learning the basics of their instrument and basic music theory. Students will then progress towards higher level music and performance opportunities, with several performances scheduled for the year. Students will move from this band to the Concert or Symphonic Band the next year, depending on their level. The Advanced Orchestra is a very advanced string orchestra class designed for students who have been playing at least 3-4 years. IT IS A FULL YEAR ELECTIVE. It is open to all 7th and 8th graders who play violin, viola, cello, or upright string bass. Students must have at least 3 years of experience on their string instrument, and MUST complete an audition. Students who have completed Intermediate Orchestra at Hopkins have priority for enrolling in this class. Students in this class are required to perform at a very high level, and private instruction is highly recommended and encouraged. The orchestra will concentrate on instrument technique, tone, intonation, style, and music theory through a variety of repertoire of orchestral literature and method books designed to improve facility on their string instrument. They will also have the opportunity to play in small group ensembles where they can practice the nuances of playing with fewer instrumentalists. Students in orchestra will play at least 2 concerts on campus during the year, as well as other concerts off campus including the Anaheim (Disneyland) Trip and CMEA Orchestra Festival. The Intermediate Orchestra is a string orchestra generally designed for students who have been playing for at least 2-3 years on a string instrument. IT IS A FULL YEAR ELECTIVE. It is open to all 7th and 8th graders who play violin, viola, cello, or upright string bass. Students must have at least 2 years experience on their string instrument. This is not a beginner class, and those who sign up without the proper experience will be moved to another class. This class is designed to prepare students for participation in the Hopkins Advanced Orchestra. The orchestra will concentrate on instrument technique, tone, intonation, style, and music theory through a variety of repertoire of orchestral literature and method books designed to improve facility on their string instrument. They will also have the opportunity to play in small group ensembles where they can practice the nuances of playing with fewer instrumentalists. Students in orchestra will play 2 concerts on campus a year, as well as a Music in the Parks Festival at Great America and the CMEA Orchestra Festival. Jazz Ensemble is open to all band and orchestra members by audition only (Exceptions are only made if there are instrumentation needs in the band). Students in this class must also be enrolled in one of the concert bands or string orchestras! The Jazz Ensemble meets before school on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:15-8:00. Typical instrumentation is Alto, Tenor, and Baritone Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Drum Set, Bass (Electric, Acoustic, or Keyboard Bass), and Guitar. The Jazz Ensemble concentrates on many different styles, including Swing, Latin, Rock, Funk, and also some mainstream popular music. The emphasis is on learning how to play jazz styles, improvisation (solos), and improving general musicianship. The Jazz Ensemble has several performances throughout the year, including the Winter and Spring Concerts, several local jazz festivals, the CMEA Jazz Festival, and our annual Anaheim (Disneyland) Trip. Jazz Workshop is open to all band and orchestra members. Students in this class must also be enrolled in one of the concert bands or string orchestras! The Jazz Workshop meets after school 2 days per week from 2:30-3:10. Typical instrumentation is Alto, Tenor, and Baritone Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Drum Set, Bass (Electric, Acoustic, or Keyboard Bass), and Guitar. Other instruments may be allowed with director approval. The Jazz Workshop introduces many different styles, including Swing, Latin, Rock, Funk, and also some mainstream popular music. The emphasis is on learning how to play jazz styles, improvisation (solos), and improving general musicianship. The Jazz Workshop has a minimum of 2 performances during the year.
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