Instrumental Music at John Muir Middle School

The John Muir Middle School Instrumental Music Program is open to any student who wishes to play a musical instrument featured in bands and orchestras.  For more information, please contact Mr. Chris Lawrence at chrislawrence@burbankusd.org

Instrumental Music Performance Classes and Course Descriptions

• Wind Ensembles: Our “Band” classes. Instruments offered in these classes are woodwinds, brass, percussion.
• String Ensembles: Our  “Orchestra” classes. Instruments offered in these classes are violin, viola, cello, and string bass.
• Jazz Ensembles: These groups are open to students in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and String Orchestra. These bands meet before and after school, and are an extracurricular commitments.

BEGINNING WINDS AND PERCUSSION (Beginning Band)
The beginning level performing band class. This is a year-long class. Students are expected to practice their instruments daily for at least 15 minutes a day, five days per week.

Beginning Band will perform at all three of our in-house concerts (Fall, Holiday and Spring,) as well as the annual Saturday morning play-a-thon in February. Instruments taught in the beginning band are: Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone (Euphonium), Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute and Percussion. Percussionists are required to play all percussion instruments.

CONCERT BAND
The intermediate level performing band class. This is a year-long class. Students are expected to practice their instruments daily for at least 15 minutes a day, five days per week.  STUDENTS MUST HAVE ONE YEAR OF PLAYING EXPERIENCE ON THEIR INSTRUMENT, OR BE AT A 7th GRADE LEVEL, IN ORDER TO JOIN CONCERT BAND. STUDENTS MUST ALSO BE AT A 7th GRADE LEVEL IN THEIR ABILITY TO READ WRITTEN MUSIC. A playing and music reading assessment will be given to all students new to Muir who would like to join Concert Band.

Concert Band will perform at all three of our in house concerts (Fall, Holiday and Spring,) as well as the annual Saturday morning play-a-thon in February. Instruments offered- Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Baritone (Euphonium), Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Electric Bass and Percussion. Percussionists are required to play all percussion instruments.

SYMPHONIC BAND
The advanced level performing band class. This is a year-long class. Students are expected to practice their instruments daily for at least 20-30 minutes, five days per week.  STUDENTS MUST HAVE TWO YEARS OF PLAYING EXPERIENCE ON THEIR INSTRUMENT, OR BE AT A 8th GRADE LEVEL, IN ORDER TO JOIN SYMPHONIC BAND.STUDENTS MUST ALSO BE AT AN 8th GRADE LEVEL IN READING WRITTEN MUSIC. A playing and music reading assessment will be given to all students new to Muir who would like to join Symphonic Band.

In addition to performing at all three of our in house concerts (Fall, Holiday and Spring,) two in school assemblies, and the annual Saturday morning play-a-thon, Symphonic Band will perform at the Music in the Parks Festival at Six Flags, the end of the year 8th grade promotion, the Middle School night with the BHS Marching Band, the Burbank High School Holiday Concert as well as other performances on campus throughout the year as requested by the administration. Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Baritone (Euphonium), Tuba, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Flute, Electric Bass and Percussion. Percussionists are required to play all percussion instruments.

BEGINNING STRINGS
The beginning level performing orchestra class. This is a year-long class. Students are expected  to practice their instruments daily for at least 15 minutes, five days per week.  Beginning Strings will perform at all three of our in house concerts (Fall, Holiday and Spring,) as well as the annual Saturday morning play-a-thon. Instruments taught in the beginning band are: Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass.

STRING ORCHESTRA
The advanced level performing Orchestra class. This is a year-long class. Students are expected to practice their instruments daily for at least 20 minutes, five days per week. Private lessons are strongly encouraged for all orchestra participants. STUDENTS MUST HAVE ONE YEAR OF PLAYING EXPERIENCE ON THEIR INSTRUMENT, OR BE AT A 7th GRADE LEVEL, IN ORDER TO JOIN CONCERT BAND. STUDENTS MUST ALSO BE AT A 7th GRADE LEVEL IN THEIR ABILITY TO READ WRITTEN MUSIC. A playing and music reading assessment will be given to all students new to Muir who would like to join Concert Band. 

In addition to performing at all three of our in house concerts (Fall, Holiday and Spring,) two in school assemblies,  and the annual Saturday morning play-a-thon, String Orchestra will perform at the Music in the Parks Festival at Six Flags, the end of the year 8th grade promotion, the Burbank High School Holiday Concert as well as other performances on campus throughout the year as requested by the administration.

MUSTANG JAZZ BAND
Open to any students in Concert Band, Symphonic Band or String Orchestra who would like to learn the basics of playing in a jazz band and improvisation. The Mustang Jazz Band will meet during Muir Time (3:15-3:55 PM) Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. All instruments are welcome to play in the Mustang Jazz Band. Students must have at least one year of playing experience, and must be able to pass a music reading assessment with Mr. Lawrence before joining the Mustang Jazz Band.

The Mustang Jazz Band will perform at all three of our in-house performances, as well as the annual Play-A-Thon, and the Fall in school assembly.  THE MUSTANG JAZZ BAND IS AN EXTRACURRICULAR COMMITMENT. While no grade is given for Jazz Band, good attendance is expected of all Muir Time Jazz Band members. At Mr. Lawrence’s discretion, if a student misses too many rehearsals without prior notice, they may not be allowed to participate in performances with the Mustang Jazz Band.