Alta Sierra Bands

Welcome to the Alta Sierra Band program! Our Band program serves over 120 students in grades 7 & 8. Students are placed in one of three (3) ability-based Band classes at Alta Sierra: Intermediate Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Mr. Charnow at stevencharnow@cusd.com. Have a terrific year as a Bruin Band member!

CLASS OVERVIEW

In Band, students will learn proper technique on a selected instrument, musicianship, performance etiquette, music theory, aural skills, practice & organizational skills, citizenship, discipline, and teamwork. Band members will have the opportunity to perform in multiple concerts and festivals throughout the year!

We hope that through their participation in the ASI Band, students will develop a lifelong love and appreciation of music. If you have any questions that are not addressed on this page, please feel free to contact your director here.

CLASS MATERIALS

• Instrument (Owned, Rented, or School-Owned),

• Pencil

• Music Binder (preferably a black, 3-ring binder with plastic sheet protectors),

• Method Book (See below),

• Instrument Supplies (reeds, cork grease, valve oil, etc.),

• Metronome/Tuner (Strongly encouraged!) We recommend purchasing your own Korg TM-60 Tuner w/contact mic (available online or at your local music store).

Instruments

We encourage students to rent or purchase* their own instrument from a reputable music instrument retailer. Purchasing or renting will ensure that your child gets to play his/her 1st choice of instrument. Talk to your director about making the best musical investment you can make!! To learn more, click here.

*Students are not required to purchase or rent an instrument to participate in Band. However, due to limited availability of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, and trumpets, students may not get to play their first choice.

Method Book

Each student is encouraged to purchase their method book. The books we will use in class are listed below. You can purchase a method book directly from our online store, at local music shops, or online. Be sure you purchase the correct book for the instrument your student plays and the ensemble they are in.

2nd Period Symphonic Band - Sound Innovations for Concert Band, bk. 1 (Red Book)
4th Period Concert Band- Sound Innovations for Concert Band, bk. 1 (Blue Book)
7th Period Intermediate Band- Sound Innovations for Concert Band, bk. 1 (Blue Book)

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR and GUIDELINES

Please click here to review the expectations for students who participate in the Buchanan Educational Center Instrumental Music program.

PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

Each Alta Sierra Band performs several times a year. Please visit the calendar page for a complete, up-to-date, listing of performances. Below is a summary:

Spirit Night • Friday, October 20, 2023 • Veterans Memorial Stadium

CUSD Band Night • Wednesday, November 1, 2023 • Veterans Memorial Stadium

Winter Concert • Wednesday, December 6, 2023 • Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall

CMEA Band Festival (Symphonic ONLY) • Thursday, March 14, 2024 • Torres HS

Festival Concert • Monday, March 18, 2024 • Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall

CUSD Band Festival • Tuesday, March 19, 2024 • Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall

Rodeo Parade • Saturday, April 27, 2024 • Downtown Clovis

End of the Year Concert • Thursday, May 23, 2024 • Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall

CONCERT ATTIRE

Please click here for information on concert attire.

GRADING

Students will be graded in four areas: Performances, Participation, Assessments, and Assignments. 

Performances (30% of your grade)

Being a member of the Alta Sierra Band is a commitment to performing. It’s expected that Band members will participate in ALL scheduled performances. In order to receive full participation credit, students should wear the appropriate uniform, and participate in an appropriate manner. As representatives of ASI, students’ best behavior is expected! 

Participation (25% of your grade)

Weekly credit will be given for participating in class in an appropriate manner, demonstrating consistent improvement, and being prepared for class.

Assessments (25% of your grade)

Students will be expected to demonstrate musical proficiency by periodically taking playing tests.

Assignments (20% of your grade)

Students will learn music theory, vocabulary, and notation. They’ll be expected to demonstrate their knowledge by periodically taking music theory tests. 

Grading Scale

A - 90.0% to 100.00%
B - 80.0% to 89.9%
C - 70.0% to 79.9%
D - 60.0% to 69.9%
F - 59.9% and below.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM JOIN CODES 2023-24

All students have been assigned a Google Classroom Band class to join that we will use for class announcements, assignments, and other information. Please join the class that matches the one on your schedule:
2nd period Symphonic Band: oynb6rb
4th period Concert Band: ll26hwf
7th period Intermediate Band: jrn5tsq

WEB-BASED PROGRAMS USED IN CLASS

MakeMusic Cloud (formerly SmartMusic)
SmartMusic will largely be used to assess students’ development on their instruments through tests taken outside of class time.

OTHER RESOURCES

Tuners & Metronomes
It’s extremely important that young musicians learn to play IN TUNE, and with a STEADY PULSE, so they can match their sound and tempo with the rest of the class. An excellent tuner/metronome that we recommend here at the Buchanan Educational Center is the Korg TM-60. The Korg TM-60 can be found at most music instrument stores, as well as on Amazon or directly from the Korg website. We’ll talk more about tuners & metronomes with the students during the first couple weeks of school.
*In order to use the tuner in class while other musicians are playing, it’s optimal to also have a contact microphone that plugs into the tuner and fastens to the student’s instrument!