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.

IKB Resources

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. 

News from the IKB

Symphonic Band Going to Festival

The Notre Dame Symphonic Band will attend two music festivals in March. On March 5 the band will go the SCSBOA Festival at Sierra Vista High School in Baldwin Park. On March 14 the band will go to the SCSBOA Festival at Santa Susana High School in Simi Valley. The band will be adjudicated by a panel of judges from the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association and will be playing for ratings. The band will perform “Fanfare for Justice” by Richard Saucedo, “Novo Lenio” by Samuel Hazo, and “Abracadabra” by Frank Ticheli. We wish the Symphonic Band the best of luck at festival. 

Dance Guard Ready to Perform at Winter Guard Competitions

Marching alongside the band at football games, parades, and band reviews, the Notre Dame Dance Guard has had a successful band review season, winning fifth place at Riverside King and Loara, and second place at the Arcadia Festival of Bands. 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 gold medal Winter Guard season. Winter Guard competitions have already begun and will conclude with WGASC Championships on April 13. Congratulations Dance Guard on a great fall and good luck in the spring. Here are competition dates and locations:
Saturday, February 9 – Bellflower High School (Classification Show)
Saturday, February 16 – Aliso Niguel High School – 2nd Place
Sunday, March 10 – La Costa Canyon High School
Saturday, March 30 – Arcadia High School
Saturday, April 6 – Valencia High School
Saturday, April 13 – 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, “The Endless Journey,” 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 16 – Monrovia High School (SCPA) – 1st Place
Saturday, March 2 – Rancho Cucamonga High School (SCPA)
Sat/Sun, March 23-24 – CSU San Bernardino Coussoulis Arena (WGI Regional)
Saturday, March 30 – CSU San Bernardino Coussoulis Arena (SCPA Prelims)
Saturday, April 6 – Citizens Business Band Arena, Ontario (SCPA Championships)

Irish Knight Band Marches in Disney

On Sunday, January 13th the band will march down at Disney as part of the Disneyland Community Arts Showcase. The location (Disneyland or California Adventure) and performance time has not been announced, but this is a great opportunity to visit one of the great Disney parks and see our IKB perform. Venue and performance times will be announced in mid-December. Please check the band calendar on our website for updated details. 

Bandcake Breakfast a Huge Success

A huge, heartfelt thank you to all who helped make this year's pancake breakfast such a success. The silent auction was very successful, and everybody had a great time. Thanks to the Jazz Band for providing great music throughout the morning, and to the many band parents and band members who volunteered their time to keep things running smoothly. The Band Boosters were especially grateful to see so many teachers, staff, coaches, athletes, and alumni braving the rainy weather and supporting this year's event. If you couldn’t make it we look forward to seeing you next year, and every year, on the first Sunday in February. 

Saturday Band Program for Grades 4-8

For 34 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

List of 6 items.

  • 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.

    Prerequisites/Comments - This course is open to 9th, 10th and 11th grade students. Entering 9th grade students may enroll and will be called for an interview prior to the finalization of the class roster. 10th and 11th grade students need the consent of the instructor to enroll. Instruments are provided by the school. Students need not be able to read music. (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 expected to continue in the band program at Notre Dame and will participate as part of the marching band pageantry unit. 

    Prerequisites/Comments -     This course is open to 9th, 10th and 11th grade students who wish 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 - This course is open to students on all grade levels who demonstrate the proficiency on their instruments to study and perform advanced composition. Consent of the instructor is required. 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) 

  • 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 band and form 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 Band I – Percussion and will be called for an interview/audition prior to the finalization of the class rosters. This course may be repeated for credit. (UC “f” VPA) 

Faculty

List of 3 members.

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