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Music Courses

The following are short descriptions of the musical course offerings available for students to select at Montera.

Beginning/Intermediate Instrumental Music (year-long courses)

  • Beginning Band: is for students with little or no experience in any wind instruments where they will get individual attention and support they need in order to progress to the intermediate and advanced levels.
  • Intermediate Band: is for students who have already played a wind instrument for 1 or 2 years in elementary school or 6th grade, can hold their instrument properly, produce a good tone, read and perform basic rhythms and simple melodies, play the Bb, Eb and Ab concert major scales and know al lof the notes in the treble or bass clefs. Drummers need to know the fundamentals of snare drums, and simple melodies on bells.
  • Beginning Orchestra: is for students with little or no experience in any string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass) where they will get individual attention and support they need in order to progress to the intermediate and advanced levels.
  • Intermediate Orchestra: for students who have already played a wind instrument for 1 or 2 years in elementary school or 6th grade playing a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass). Students will learn how to hold the instrument properly, read music notation, produce a good tone and play full orchestral arrangements.

Advanced Instrumental Music (year-long courses)

  • Students must audition and get the recommendation of a music teacher, to be placed in these groups
  • Advanced Band: is for students who can read music and play in an instrument at an advanced level. All students must audition to be in this and can only be placed in this band with the recommendation of the music teacher.  Assignment to this class must be done BEFORE school starts in the fall. Attendance at all concerts and events is part of the grade.
  • Advanced Orchestra: is for students who can read music and play an instrument at an advanced level. All students must audition to be in this class and can only be placed in this orchestra with the recommendation of the music teacher. Assignment to this class must be done BEFORE school starts in the fall. Attendance at all concerts and events is part of the grade.

Concert Choir (year-long course)

Concert Choir: open to students with basic music reading and vocal ability, the class will build on music reading and choral foundations to work towards high-quality performances of beginning-intermediate choral literature.  ALL students must audition to be placed in this choir, and can only be placed with the recommendation of the music teacher before school starts in the fall. Auditions will be held in the spring, please check this page for times and dates.

Music Explore (semester course only)

This is a General Music class for students who don't want to play in a performance-based band or orchestra all year. In this class, students will sing, dance, and play a variety of instruments, music and games from around the world. No previous music experience is required. Semester Course

Ukulele (semester course only)

This is a semester-long course for students interested in playing the ukulele. Students will learn how to read music, play various melodies and chords while singing, and learn about  famous ukulele players, as well as listening to and describing various types of music performed on the ukulele.  Semester Course

Percussion Ensemble (semester course only)

This is a semester-long course for students interested in playing different percussion instruments. Students will learn how to read music and learn proper playing technique for a variety of percussion instruments. Some of the instruments that will be covered are snare drum, bass drum, xylophone, triangle, tambourine, and hand drums among other instruments.  Semester Course

After School

Jazz Band: open to all students through audition. Meets every Tuesday and Thursdays after school between 3:45 and 4:45PM. Attendance and participation at performances is required.