Ensembles

The Royal Regiment Course Descriptions

Marching Band (Fall) 

Marching Band rehearses in the fall semester, Monday through Friday during the band class period (from August to the early-December). After school rehearsals are also held during the week and occasionally on Saturdays. The marching band performs at various competitions and tournaments throughout the season as well as at home football games. All students are expected to participate in band camp before school begins. Participation in marching band is open to all students. It is required by all Symphonic Band, Colorguard, and Drumline students. Participation in marching band grants students an additional 2.5 credits each year it is taken. Additionally, students may earn their P.E. waiver by participating in marching band in their sophomore year, waiving them from P.E. for the remainder of high school. 

Pep Band (Fall) 

The Pep Band is a volunteer group from the Marching Band. The group performs at away football games and other on and off campus functions as requested. Students participating in the Pep Band earn points toward their band letter or pins. Rehearsals are held on an as-needed basis. 

Concert Band (Year Long)

This is a year course available to students who have little or no musical experience, but are interested in learning to play a wind band instrument. Wind band instruments include flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. The class is also open to students who are already proficient in an instrument and want to learn to play another. Many school-owned instruments are available for rental at little to no charge. Promotion to another musical group is based upon proficiency and the director’s approval. In this course, students will rehearse and perform music from the standard wind band repertoire. The students learn to play the music at the highest standard possible. With each selection the students perform, they learn the background of the piece, the composer and the musical era. In addition, fundamentals of music theory are a part of the course. During the fall football season, all concert band members are highly encouraged to be enrolled in the marching band. Because of the performance nature of this class, participation in rehearsals and performances before, during, and after the regular school day, and on non-school days, is expected and is part of the course curriculum.  This course meets the University of California Visual & Performing Arts “f” requirement.

Symphonic Band (Year Long)

Symphonic Band is a year course for intermediate/advanced wind and brass players with one or more years of experience. Members must have demonstrated proficiency to the director and are admitted only upon her recommendation. A strong emphasis is placed on performance demonstrating the highest possible standards of playing ability and choice of music. During the fall semester, all symphonic band members are to be additionally enrolled in the marching band. Because of the performing nature of this class, participation in rehearsals and performances before, during, and after the regular school day and on non-school days is expected and is part of the course curriculum.  Prerequisite:  Concert Band and/or teacher approval. This course meets the University of California Visual & Performing Arts “f ”requirement.

Percussion Ensemble/Drumline (Year Long) 

This is a year course for percussion players at any experience level. The course is a performance course in which students who play percussion instruments rehearse and perform music from the standard repertoire and alongside with the marching, symphonic, and concert bands.  During the fall semester, all drumline members are to be additionally enrolled in the marching band. The students learn to play the music at the highest standard possible. With each selection the students perform, they learn the background of the piece, the composer and the musical era. In addition, fundamentals of music theory are a part of the course. Rudiments, cadences, parade and field show music is emphasized in the fall. Solo and ensemble percussion literature and keyboard (mallet) instruments are stressed in the marching band. Because of the performance nature of this class, participation in rehearsals and performances before, during, and after the regular school day, and on non-school days, is expected and is part of the course curriculum.  Prerequisite:  Teacher and coach approval. This course meets the University of California Visual & Performing Arts “f” requirement.

Colorguard (Year Long)

Colorguard is a year long course offered to students in grades 9-12 who have auditioned and selected for the class. The course acquaints students with the techniques of marching and performing routines in parade, field and indoor environments. Performance opportunities include home football games, competition parades, spring indoor competitions, field tournament competitions, and a variety of other on and off campus events; many of which occur during the weekend.  Students will develop dance, drill and equipment skills; develop an increased sense of self-reliance and interdependence with others to create a satisfactory performance; exhibit mastery in performance techniques and be able to analyze the teams’ and their own performance through articulation of their thoughts and ideas. Because of the performance nature of this class, participation in rehearsals and performances before, during, and after the regular school day, and on non-school days, is expected and is part of the course curriculum.

String Orchestra - Sultan Strings (Year Long)

This is a performance course in which students who play or would like to learn to play string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass) rehearse and perform music from the standard orchestral repertoire. The students learn to play the music at the highest standard possible. While the repertoire changes each year, the level of the music is considered either beginning or intermediate by the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association and is representative of the major musical periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Twentieth Century). With each selection the students perform, they learn the background of the piece, the composer and the musical era. In addition, fundamentals of music theory are a part of the course. The school provides most instruments.  Each student must budget his/her time for outside practice if he or she is to make progress. Because of the performance nature of this class, participation in rehearsals and performances before, during, and after the regular school day and on non-school days is expected and is part of the course curriculum. This course meets the University of California Visual & Performing Arts “f” requirement.

Choir - Sultan Singers (Year Long)

Choir is an elective, performance-oriented, multileveled ensemble for grades 9-12.  Singing basics and music fundamentals are stressed as encountered in unison through octavo literature representing a variety of periods and styles. Students are expected to perform in concerts in the fall and competitive festivals in the spring. Due to the performance nature of this class, participation in rehearsals and performances during and after the regular school day is expected. This course meets the University of California Visual & Performing Arts “f” requirement.

Honor’s Choir (Year Long) 

A course offered to a highly selective group with membership based upon tryouts, observation, and teacher recommendation.  Generally, a year’s previous experience in one of the other choirs is required.  Attention is given to the performance of major solo works and/or participation in district and area honor ensembles, festivals or concerts.  Over half of the literature performed will be of collegiate‑level difficulty.  Due to the performance nature of this course, participation in rehearsals and performances during and after the regular school day is expected.  This course meets the University of California Visual & Performing Arts “f” requirement.

Beginning Guitar (Year Long)

This class offers instruction in basic techniques and music fundamentals related to classical and traditional guitar performance for students with little to no musical experience. Note reading, fingering and positions are presented as they pertain to classical and traditional guitar performance. With each selection the students perform, they learn the background of the piece, the composer and the musical era. In addition, fundamentals of music theory are a part of the course. The school provides most instruments. Due to the performance nature of this course, participation in rehearsals and performances during and after the regular school day is expected. This course meets the University of California Visual & Performing Arts “f” requirement.

Guitar Ensemble (Year Long)

Guitar Ensemble is designed especially for those students who have developed a serious posture toward the subject matter and have completed a course in Beginning guitar and/or have been recommended by the instructor.  The course may be continued with the proviso that the student attempts progression of advanced literature each ensuing year.  The guitar ensemble performs intermediate to advanced levels of literature from various genres of music, ranging from the Renaissance, Baroque, and classical to commercial and contemporary music.  Students should have an understanding of classical guitar technique and various other styles of playing the guitar, rehearsal and performance techniques, theory and history of selected repertoire. Due to the performance nature of this course, participation in rehearsals and performances during and after the regular school day is expected. This course meets the University of California Visual & Performing Arts “f” requirement.