Wind Ensemble 2013-2014 Auditions
Auditions for the Tesoro Wind Ensemble will be held on June 4 through 7th during tutorial periods, lunch and after school. Current Tesoro musicians can sign up on the list posted on Mr. Magana's office door. Audition materials are now available in the music room.
Concert Band earns superior rating at district festival
Congratulations to the members of the Tesoro Concert Band for earning a Superior rating at the SCSBOA District Music Festival on April 3rd. The ensemble performed American Riversongs by Pierre la Plante, A Percy Grainger Portrait by Douglas E. Wagner and A River's Fury by James Swearingen.
Some of the Judges comments:
"Very fine ensemble sound. Very fine balance throughout your performance." - Stan Steele
" Nice balance and intonation throughout. Wonderful choices of literature. A very talented band. You are an asset to your music program." - Naomi Norwick
Wind Ensemble earns unanimous superior ratings at the San Juan Hills Festival
Congratulations to the Tesoro Wind Ensemble for earning unanimous superior ratings at the SCSBOA Music Festival at San Juan Hills High School on March 23rd. This rating indicates recognition from all three festival judges for achieving excellence in all categories of adjudication for each selection performed. Our wind ensemble was one of only two high school wind bands to earn this rating at the festival this year. The ensemble played beautifully performing Balkanya by Jan Van der Roost and Euphoria by John Frantzen. Way to go Tesoro musicians!
Some of the judges comments:
"Wow! What a fine ensemble. You play with a lot of fire and enthusiasm." - Doug Fisher
"Congratulations on a wonderful festival performance this morning. Bravo and continue the great work you are doing! It truly was a pleasure to hear you this morning." - Neil Anderson
BRONZE AND SILVER OBJECTIVES TESTING SCHEDULE
Bronze and Silver Exercise Testing Procedures
All exercises must be done with a metronome set to the designated tempos. To pass, minimum standards must be met in regard to; tone quality, rhythmic accuracy, tempo and pulse control, intonation, articulation, style and dynamics.
You may test “live” for Mr. Magana during class time (at the end of the period) or during tutorials and lunch time. We will also designate some blocks of class time for testing.
You may also record your performances and send to Mr. Magana by placing a copy of your recording (in an mp3 or .wav file format) in the drop boxes found on the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble class School Loop pages. Recordings must be of good quality and the metronome must be easily heard. When recording yourself, always state your name and the name of the exercise before you play it.
Grading
Grades for the Bronze Objectives will be part of your Playing Tests grade category (40% of your grade). Each assignment is worth 5 points. Exercises not meeting the minimum requirements will receive 0 points. You may retest on exercises that you do not pass on first attempt, as often as you like, up until the end of the semester.
Go practice!
Interested in taking Private Lessons?
All musicians can benefit from private one on one tutoring from a professional teacher. During our ensemble rehearsals the techniques for playing each specific instrument are addressed and students do receive some individual feedback and tutoring to help them improve. But, a student can see rapid improvement in their tone and technique when they take time to study with a private teacher. Private lessons are strongly recommended for students who wish to audition for honor groups or have successful auditions for the Tesoro Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and Music Theater Pit Orchestra.
Click here to see the list of the Capistrano Unified School District recommended teachers in our area
Course Information
The Concert Band and Wind Ensemble are for all woodwind, brass and percussionists interested in advancing their skills as instrumentalists and participating in a performing ensemble with a tradition of excellence and high quality performance. The Concert Band is for all students, regardless of the level of experience on an instrument.
The Concert Band is open to all instrumentalists regardless of experience. Participation in the Wind Ensemble requires acceptance through a successful audition and is the most advanced band on our campus The Wind Ensemble plays music that requires advanced instrumental techniques.
Private lessons are highly recommended for members of the Wind Ensemble and for all band musicians who desire to achieve skills to perform at that level.
Most of our Tesoro Band musicians take a Concert Band class as their Fine Art elective and also take Marching Band as their P.E. requirement.
Ensemble Donations
A voluntary donation of $50 per participant is appreciated to help offset costs for this program and to maintain the quality of the music program that we have at Tesoro High School. Donations made to the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble are voluntary and tax deductible. The funds are managed by the Tesoro Music Boosters and are applied only to Concert Band or Wind Ensemble related expenses. Students will be allowed to participate regardless of whether a donation is made.
Please note that the Constitution of the State of California requires that we provide a public education to you free of charge. Your right to a free education is for all school/educational activities, whether curricular or extracurricular, and whether you get a grade for the activity or class. Subject to certain exceptions, your right to a free public education means that we cannot require you or your family to purchase materials, supplies, equipment or uniforms for any school activity, nor can we require you or your family to pay security deposits for access, participation, materials, or equipment.
Your generous donations help to provide the following items;
- Basic instrument repair supplies (strings, rosin, etc.) to keep school owned instruments in fine working condition, as well as supply students with materials in an emergency.
- New Music and materials
- Professional Coaches
- Student Awards (Sousa, National Orchestra Award, etc.)
The director will meet with the Music Boosters in early October to assess how close we have come to our donation collection goals and determine whether cuts will have to be made mid-semester if we fall short of our donation goals.
Donation Checks:As soon as the school year begins we will accept donations. We recommend $50, an amount that would cover our budgeted expenses if received from each member. Checks can be made payable to Tesoro Music Boosters. Donations are appreciated throughout the year.
Extras: Some students may decide to purchase extra items based on a performer’s preference. Each woodwind and brass student should consider keeping extra valve oil, slide grease, reeds, and cleaning supplies in their case. Percussionists should consider owning at least a practice pad and snare sticks to work with at home. You are not required to purchase any of these items.
Concert Dress
We perform throughout the year in “Concert Black.” In general, for gentlemen this typically consists of a black suit or tuxedo, white dress/tuxedo shirt, black socks and dress shoes, as well as a black bow tie. Ladies are asked to wear all black dressy/formal attire. This gives each ensemble a professional look on stage while also allowing flexibility and multiple options for students' individual needs, using formal clothing that can also be worn for other occasions and functions.
Questions about Concert Dress: Students must notify the teacher/director as soon as possible (and in all instances at least 48 hours in advance of a performance) regarding any issues, questions, or problems with concert attire. Students who fail to notify the teacher/director and are then not appropriately dressed for the performance will not be allowed to perform
Instrument Checkout
School instruments are not reserved, and some students may need to share school-owned instruments with other Tesoro Band Students. Home practice instruments may or may not be available due to the limited number of instruments owned by the school. We will try to assist students and have tubas and euphoniums for those students wishing to play a new instrument or not transport their home instrument to and from school if possible. School tubas, euphoniums, bassoons, baritone saxophones, and other similar instruments will be shared by each class during the school day. It is your responsibility to maintain the working condition of these instruments, and immediately report any instrument that has been damaged or not working correctly. There are many reputable music stores locally that rent instruments on a monthly basis. These stores also carry in stock both intermediate and professional level instruments that are commonly used by high school musicians.
