Arts

Band

The Irish Knight Band Tradition:

The Irish Knight Band (IKB) has been a part of Notre Dame High School tradition since 1947. Since that time the band has earned a stellar reputation for its standard of excellence. The award-winning Irish Knight Band has performed in numerous band review competitions throughout Southern California.

NDHS Band Program

• The grade in band classes is derived from periodic evaluations of student progress in areas of performance which include technical proficiency, historical and theoretical knowledge as well as participation in all rehearsals and performances. 
• Students are expected to attend at least one evening practice a week. The practice is usually on a Wednesday or a Thursday evening as determined on the school calendar. 
• In addition to the evening rehearsals, students are expected to participate in all scheduled weekend activities. These may include rehearsals, concerts, festivals, parades and performances at certain athletic events. These events will be published in the school calendar and the band newsletter. 
• All students, both new and returning, must participate in Band Camp which takes place in August two weeks prior to the start of classes in the fall. 
• Three consecutive years of participation in marching band/dance-flag classes will satisfy the ND physical education requirement. 

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News from the IKB

Band and Dance Guard Win Top Awards at Granada Hills
 
On December 8, the Irish Knight Band marched down Chatsworth Street in the 35th Annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade, the largest holiday parade in the San Fernando Valley. The band took home the Music Sweepstakes trophy for the top marching band of the day, and the Dance Guard took 1st Place in the Senior Tall Flags category for the best color guard of the day, and Drum Major Nick Weber took 1st Place in the drum major competition. This comes as no surprise to the IKB, who has taken the top awards every year that they have marched at Granada Hills. It's a great way to cap off a successful marching band season by solidifying the band's place as the best parade band in the San Fernando Valley. 
 
Band Performs at Basketball Games
 
 This winter the band has been busy providing spirit and live music at every home varsity league game for the Notre Dame boys and girls basketball teams. You can see the basketball band as they support our varsity team at home games in the playoffs.
 
Dance Guard Competes
 
Marching alongside the band at football games, parades, and band reviews, the Notre Dame Dance Guard has had a successful band review season, winning Third Place at Loara, Fourth Place at Riverside King and an amazing Fifth Place performance at Arcadia. Under the direction of Head Dance Guard Instructor Leticia Alcuran and Assistant Dance Guard Instructor Daniel De Luna, and with a dedicated Dance Guard Team, they hope to improve upon last year’s bronze medal Winter Guard season. Winter Guard competitions begin February 8 and ends with WGASC Championships on April 18. Congratulations Dance Guard on a great fall and good luck in the spring. Here are competition dates and locations:
 
Saturday, February 8 – Bellflower High School
Saturday, March 7 – Rancho Cucamonga High School
Sunday, March 14 – Arcadia High School
Friday, March 20 – Golden Valley High School
Saturday, March 29 – La Costa Canyon High School
Saturday, April 11 – Mililani High School (Waikiki, HI)
Saturday, April 18 – Championships in Anaheim Area
 
Percussion Ensemble Competes
 
After a busy Fall Semester providing the Drum Line for the Irish Knight Band at football games, parades, and band reviews, the Percussion Ensemble has been busy preparing their competition show, “Age of Discovery,” for the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) and Winter Guard International (WGI) competitions starting in February. They will be competing 
in the Indoor Concert Percussion Open category. Last year the Percussion Ensemble has a very successful season, finishing 
with a Silver Medal at the SCPA Championships. This year they are even more determined and are poised for another successful season. Here are the competition dates and locations:
 
Saturday, February 8 – Arcadia High School (SCPA)
Saturday, February 15 – Monrovia High School (SCPA)
Saturday, February 29 – Rancho Cucamonga High School (SCPA)
Sat/Sun, March 21-22 – CSU San Bernardino Coussoulis Arena (WGI West Power Regional)
Saturday, April 4 – CSU San Bernardino Coussoulis Arena (SCPA Prelims)
Saturday, April 11 – CSU San Bernardino Coussoulis Arena (SCPA Championships)
 
Saturday Band Program
 
For 35 years Notre Dame High School has sponsored a band program for elementary school students in grades 4-8. Separate classes are held each week for beginners (Beginning Band) and more advanced musicians (Squires Band) at a modest cost of only $20 a month. Two concerts are held each year, one at the end of each semester.
 
Classes for beginners are full but you are welcome to contact us and get on our mailing list for fall. Or you may stop by on Saturdays at 10 a.m. in the Band Center to receive more information from an instructor about the program. Beginning classes will start again with our orientation and instrument petting zoo on the second Saturday in September.
 
Squires Band courses for Spring semester have already begun but it isn’t too late to join. If you know of any musicians who would like to join the Squires Band, have them bring their instruments and report prior to 9 a.m. to fill out a registration form. The class meets every Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m.  More information is available from the Band Center at (818) 933-3672.

Saturday Band Program for Grades 4-8

For 40 years Notre Dame High School has sponsored a band program for elementary school students in grades 4-8. Separate classes are held each week for beginners and more advanced musicians (Squires Band) at a modest cost of only $20 a month. Two concerts are held each year, one at the end of each semester Classes for beginners are full but you are welcome to contact us and get on our mailing list for fall. Or you may stop by on Saturdays at 10 a.m. in the Band Center to receive more information from an instructor about the program.

Squires Band courses for Spring semester have already begun. If you know of any musicians who would like to join the Squires Band, have them bring their instruments and report prior to 9 a.m. to fill out a registration form. The class meets every Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. More information is available from the Band Center at (818) 933-3672.

Courses Offered

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  • Band I Percussion

    This is a percussion class for students with beginner to intermediate percussion skills. Students will be auditioned/interviewed in the spring for placement in Band I or Band IV percussion classes. Students are expected to continue in the band program at Notre Dame and will participate as part of the marching band pageantry unit. Students need not be able to read music.

    Prerequisites/Comments - Students 9-11. Entering 9th-grade students may enroll and will be called for an audition. 10th and 11th grade students need the consent of the instructor to enroll. Instruments are provided by the school.  (UC “f” VPA) 

  • Band I Winds

    This is a beginning winds class. Students will learn to play a wind instrument. Students taking Band I are part of the band program at Notre Dame and will participate as part of the marching band pageantry unit. 

    Prerequisites/Comments -     Student 9-11 who whish to learn a wind instrument. 10th and 11th grade students need the consent of the instructor to enroll. An instrument is provided by the school. Should a student wish to learn an instrument not available from the school, he/she will have to provide it. (UC “f” VPA) 

  • Band II (Concert Band)

    This is a class for students of intermediate ability with previous training and experience on their instrument. Concert Band will join with the Wind Ensemble to form the Symphonic Band. Members of Band II will perform as part of the Marching Band. 

    Prerequisites/Comments - All students who meet the proficiency requirements may enroll in this course. Consent of the instructor is required. This course may be repeated for credit. (UC “f” VPA) 

  • Band III (Wind Ensemble)

    This is a class for students who demonstrate the ability to prepare and perform more advanced music literature. Students may be required to prepare solo or ensemble compositions outside of class. Members of Band III will perform as part of the combined Symphonic Band and the Marching Band. 

    Prerequisites/Comments - Demonstrated proficiency in the instruments to study and perform advanced composition pieces. Consent of the instructor is required. This course may be repeated for credit. (UC “f” VPA) 

  • Percussion Ensemble

    Percussion students with demonstrated skill proficiency may enroll in Band IV. The course will emphasize percussion performance skill development. Students will form the marching percussion section, provide percussion for the concert band, wind ensemble, jazz band, and basketball spirit band, as well as perform in concert percussion ensembles. 

    Prerequisites/Comments -     Consent of the Band Director or the Percussion Instructor is required. The class size may be limited. Entering 9th-grade students should enroll in Percussion I and must audition for Percussion ensemble. This course may be repeated for credit. (UC “f” VPA) 

  • Jazz Band Independent Study

    This is a performance-oriented class designed to allow members to meet together for the purposes of study and rehearsal. The class meets during x-periods not scheduled for other school activities. Preparation of music outside of class is expected. Performances may be scheduled outside of the school day and are a required part of the class. 

    Prerequisites/Comments -     Written consent of the instructor is required. A letter grade will be given that counts toward the cumulative GPA and Honor Roll. (UC “f” VPA) 

Faculty

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A College Preparatory School of Excellence

13645 Riverside Drive
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Phone: (818) 933-3600
Fax: (818) 501-0507
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