MUSIC CLASSES AT HORNER

Beginning Band:

No experience or audition is required for this class.  Students with only a year experience in band are encouraged to also take this class.  Wind and percussion instruments are taught utilizing a sequential method, and through varied performance literature.  Music history, theory, and leadership skills are also taught.  Beginning Band performs at both the winter and spring concerts.  Instruments offered are clarinet, flute, trumpet, baritone, trombone, and percussion.  Students may learn saxophone only after they have played clarinet for 5 months.  French Horn, Oboe, and Tuba are also offered to students after several months training on another instrument.  Percussion (drums) requires experience on piano.  Beginning Band members will choose their instrument during the first week of school.  Horner has some instruments available to check out; however, to maximize success, parents are encouraged to rent a quality instrument from a music store, as our school instruments are not in the best working condition.  String instruments are not taught at the beginning level. Piano and guitar are not taught at Horner.

Concert Band 1 and Concert Band 2

Concert Band is designed for the instrumentalist with previous band experience.  No audition is necessary.  Most members have learned their instrument in one of the after school elementary bands, or through private lessons.  Concert Band students explore exciting music literature and master scales, arpeggios, and proper intonation.  They also play at several music festivals around the Bay Area.  Depending on the needs of the ensemble, some students also learn a second instrument such as oboe, french horn, and tuba.  Musicians successful in Concert Band are eligible to play in Symphonic Band the next year.  If your child plays an instrument, do not miss this class!  String players are also welcome in this class (violin, viola, cello, double bass). This class is very, very popular.  In the case of an impacted class, priority will be given to students with the most years band experience.

Symphonic Band

This is the most advanced band at Horner, and is designed for the serious music student.   Membership is by audition only, and students must have prior experience playing in a group setting (just private lessons are not enough).  Open seats in the band are determined by instrumentation needs, with 8th graders receiving priority.  The award winning Symphonic Band has received many high ratings at local and state festivals.  High-level literature is mastered and performed during their many appearances throughout the year.  The Symphonic Band often travels.  Students are also given the unique opportunity to develop teaching and leadership skills.  String players are also welcome in this class (violin, viola, cello, double bass).  If your child is interested in auditioning, please contact Mr. Lorigan at  at plorigan@fusdk12.net or have them come see him in the music room (B101). Audition requirements for current Concert and Beginning Band students will be discussed in class.

Choir 1 (Beginning Choir)

Beginning Choir is a one-semester class.  This is the first level of Horner’s choir program.  Because of the two-tiered system, students are given the unique chance to learn proper vocal technique and music reading.  This is the perfect class for the inexperienced student wishing to sample a music class.  Many who have taken this class have discovered that they possess talent they were unaware of.  In fact, some of Horner’s finest singers started out in this class without any knowledge of music.  Students successful in Beginning Choir are eligible to audition for the Advanced Choir.  Students with previous choir experience, and are not interested in the year long commitment of Advanced Choir are also encouraged to take this class.

Choir 2 (Advanced Choir)

The Advanced Choir is considered one of the top junior high vocal groups in the Bay Area.  They have won first place 15 times in the Music in the Parks competition in Los Angeles, and have been rated Superior at the California Music Educators festivals multiple times.  Talented singers should not miss the opportunity to be part of this group!  No other junior high in Fremont has a similar program.  Seventh graders are welcome and encouraged to audition.  Fill out the Advanced Choir audition application by February 16.  Auditions will be done using Google classroom. Join code: 6pjuigu .  In person auditions can be arranged in certain circumstances, but online is preferred.  For more information, or contact Mr. Lorigan at plorigan@fusdk12.net