Our Program
The Foothill Middle School Instrumental Music program consists of six different performance classes. These include:
Cadet Band
(6th Grade - Woodwind, Brass, Percussion)
Concert Band
(7th Grade - Woodwind, Brass, Percussion)
Symphonic Band
(8th Grade - Woodwind, Brass, Percussion)
Jazz Band
(7th and 8th Grade Band and Orchestra Members)
Cadet Orchestra
(6th Grade Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass)
String Orchestra
(7th-8th Grade Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass)
The Instrumental Music program performs in several on campus concerts a year, off campus competitions, and at community events. The program has a long history of award winning success, and looks to continue this tradition through strong recruiting, expansion of class offerings, innovative curriculum, and modernizing resources.
The Instrumental Music program is supported by the Foothill MS Music Boosters, which provide organization and fundraising support for our students. Please visit this link for more information and supporting our instrumental music students.
Jason Ravina
Director - Foothill Middle School
Jason Ravina is in his twenty third year as a music educator, his seventh with the Mount Diablo Unified School District and third at Foothill MS. He earned his Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 2007, and his Bachelors of Arts in Trumpet Performance from Cal State East Bay in 2000. Mr. Ravina previously taught in the Pleasanton USD for ten years, teaching Jazz and Concert Band, String Orchestra, and Choir at Pleasanton Middle School, and prior to that five years at Hopkins Junior High School in the Fremont USD teaching similar courses. His groups consistently received Superior Ratings at the California Music Educators Association Festival, Campana Jazz Festival, and Music in the Parks Festivals. Mr. Ravina also played trumpet professionally and recorded with Matt Catingub on the Concord Jazz label on the "Big Kahuna and the Copa Cat Pack" album. He had the pleasure of performing with Jazz legends such as Louie Bellson, Michael Brecker, Bobby Shew, Conte Candoli, Tom Harrell, and Joe Henderson in his time as lead trumpeter with the Cal State East Bay Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dave Eshelman. Mr. Ravina also studied trumpet with Jay Rizzetto, conducting with Timothy Smith, and Music Education with Dr. Lizabeth Wing, Dr. Renee Boyer and Dr. Ann Porter.