Course Offerings

Concert Band

The Concert Band class is a one-year course of study that offers instruction on piccolo, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba and percussion. This class is open to any student who wishes to better their skills on their current instrument or begin a new instrument. The class performs at least three times during the year and attendance at all concerts is mandatory. A limited number of school-owned instruments are available for use but most students will need to obtain their own.

Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band is a one-year course of study for wind and percussion students who are of the highest caliber at Sierra Vista School. It is open to all students who are interested in performing the most challenging music available to middle school students. Besides our three concerts, class activities include the IUSD Band Spectacular, Honor Orchestra audition preparation and performance at the District Instrumental Music Festival. Attendance at all performances is mandatory. A limited number of school owned instruments are available but most students will need to obtain their own.

Prerequisite: SVMS Music Teacher Approval Required.

Concert Orchestra

The Concert Orchestra class is a one-year course of study that offers instruction on violin, viola, cello, and string bass as well as a piano accompaniment and occasionally percussion instruments. This class is open to any student who wishes to better their skills on their current instrument or begin a new instrument. The class performs at least three times during the year and attendance at all concerts is mandatory. A limited number of school-owned instruments are available for use but most students will need to obtain their own.

Symphonic Orchestra

The Symphonic Orchestra is one-year course of study where more advanced string instrument techniques are explored. Students are expected to have orchestral experience, tune their own instruments, play in tune with others and use vibrato. This group will perform three concerts during the year as well as work to prepare students for the Honor Orchestra audition and perform at the District Instrumental Music Festival. Attendance at all performances is mandatory.

Prerequisite: SVMS Music Teacher Approval Required.

Chamber Orchestra

The Chamber Orchestra is a one-year course of study for string students who are of the highest caliber at Sierra Vista School. It is open to students who are interested in performing the most challenging music available to middle school students. This group will perform three concerts during the year as well as work to prepare students for the Honor Orchestra audition and perform at the District Instrumental Music Festival. Attendance at all performances is mandatory.

Prerequisite: SVMS Music Teacher Approval Required.

Percussion Ensemble

The Percussion Ensemble class is a one-year course of study where students are introduced to the family of instruments known as percussion. These instruments include but are not limited to: snare drum, xylophone, marimba, timpani, cymbals, etc. Students will accompany the Concert Band at their concerts as well as being featured as separate performers. Students will learn techniques specific to each percussion instrument and the note reading required to perform them correctly. At the end of the year, students will have the opportunity to audition for Symphonic Band.

Jazz Band

Jazz Band is a zero-period enrichment class that is managed through the Irvine Public Schools Foundation ACE after school program. Class meets each week during "zero period" (before school). Enrollment is limited to students who are currently enrolled in an instrumental music class at Sierra Vista and play a traditional jazz instrument (saxes, trumpets, trombones, bass, guitar, piano, drums, vibraphone, and some flute). The goals of the class is to learn jazz style, theory, improvisation, and to perform at least three times a year and at the annual Irvine High School Jazz Festival.