Irish Knight Band, Band, ikb, music, orchestra, parades

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.

News from the IKB

Summer Band Dates

Now that the 2020-21 school year has come to a close, we can start looking towards the next school year. Please note the following dates for Band Camp 2021 and August performances.

- Sunday, August 1 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Band Camp begins for new students & student leadership
- Monday, August 2 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Band Camp begins for all members (New Parent Meeting 7p.m.)
- Tuesday, August 3 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Band Camp
- Wednesday, August 4 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Band Camp
- Thursday, August 5 9 a.m. to 6 a.m. - Band Camp
- Monday, August 9 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Band Camp
- Tuesday, August 10 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Band Camp (early Senior dismissal for Senior Beach Day)
- Wednesday, August 11 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Band Camp (Skit Night at 7:30 p.m.)
- Thursday, August 12 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Final Day Band Camp (Band Camp Concert at 7:30 p.m.)
- Saturday, August 14 11 a.m to 1 p.m. - Band performs at Football Kickoff Rally
- Wednesday, August 18 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Band plays at Freshman Orientation
- Friday, August 20 5:30 p.m. - Home Football Game v. Pasadena HS
- Friday, August 27 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Away Football Game at J Serra HS

Saturday Elementary Band Still On Hold

The Saturday Elementary Band Program is still suspended for the Fall 2021 Semester. Los Angeles County guidelines are constantly changing, but as of now we are still not allowed to have rehearsals with wind musicians indoors, and bringing many wind musicians together from many different communities is too risky at this point. If we are allowed to have Saturday Band again this Fall, classes would hopefully begin as early as the second or third Saturday in September. Please look for updates as we progress through the Fall 2021 Semester.

Alumni Band Update

All Alumni Band activities are still suspended at this time. Please keep checking your emails for periodic updates as things progress. We look forward to having our alumni band members back on campus as soon as we are permitted to do so. Any IKB alumni interested in the status of the Alumni Band as we move through the spring may contact Alumni Band Director John Combes at combes@ndhs.org.

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.

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

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. 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

List of 3 items.

David Borok '01

Band Director
(818) 933-3672
borok@ndhs.org
Leticia Alcuran

Dance Director
(818) 933-3672
alcuran@ndhs.org
Matthew Pagnotta

Assistant Band Director
Percussion Instructor
(818) 933-3672
pagnotta@ndhs.org