Monte Vista High School offers the following Instrumental Music classes as part of its academic curriculum. Under the direction of Ed Cloyd & Sara Dasovich. these classes offer students opportunities to grow as musicians, perform in a variety of settings, receive Honors credit, take on leadership roles, meet new friends and create lifelong memories.  

Monte Vista Instrumental Music programs are supported by Monte Vista Keynoters, a non-profit 501(c) 3 parent booster group.

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Symphonic Band Grades: 9-12
Symphonic Band focuses on intermediate instrumental techniques for woodwinds, brass and percussion.  This class explores musical elements, historical and cultural context and connections to other disciplines.  Students will learn and perform a wide spectrum of band literature.  

Anticipated annual events for this class:
- Winter Concert
- Large Ensemble Festival*
- Spring Concert
- Graduation Ceremony Performance

*Offsite event; expenses covered by requested annual donation.

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Wind Ensemble Grades: 9-12
Requires audition* or consent of instructor and previous music experience on a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument or students developing a second instrument. This class focuses on advanced instrumental techniques and provides an in-depth study of music theory, historical and cultural context, and connections to other disciplines.  Students will perform at the Area Band Festival and compete in Music in the Parks.  May be taken as an Honors course (additional performances/ assignments required). 

Anticipated annual events for this class:
- Winter Concert
- Large Ensemble Festival*
- Area Band Festival
- Music in the Parks*
- Spring Concert
- Graduation Ceremony Performance

*Offsite event; expenses covered by requested annual donation.

Orchestra Grades: 9-12
Open to all students with previous string experience. This class focuses on developing string techniques, using a wide spectrum of string orchestra literature. Students will learn elements of music theory, historical and cultural context, and connections to other disciplines. A variety of orchestra literature will be covered. This class performs at the Area String Festival and competes at Music in the Parks.  

Anticipated annual events for this class:
- Winter Concert

- San Francisco Symphony trip*
- Music in the Parks completion*
- Spring Concert

*Offsite event; expenses covered by requested annual donation.

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Chamber Orchestra Grades: 10-12
Requires audition* or consent of instructor. This class focuses on advanced string instrumental techniques and includes an advanced study of musical elements, historical and cultural context and connections to other disciplines. Participation in regularly scheduled co-curricular performances is mandatory. May be taken as an Honors course (additional performances/ assignments required).  

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PERCUSSION (CONCERT BAND) Grades: 9-12

This class is for auxiliary percussion and it gives students the opportunity to explore different percussion instruments. Students will learn to incorporate a wide array of skills, rhythms, techniques and musical elements. 

Jazz Band (B) Grades: 9-12
This is an intermediate jazz course that requires successful completion of audition* process or the director's consent. Students must have prior experience on a traditional jazz instrument such as saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, electric guitar or drum set, but other instruments may be considered. . The class includes elements of jazz theory, historical and cultural context, and connections to other disciplines. Introduction and enhancement of improvisation skills and techniques will be covered. Students will perform in concerts and competitions.  
 

​Anticipated annual events for this class:
- Winter Concert
- Folsom Jazz Festival*
- Woodcreek Jazz Festival*
- Spring Concert
- Jazz Showcase Concert*

*Offsite event; expenses covered by requested annual donation.

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Jazz Ensemble (A) Grades: 9-12
Requires successful completion of audition* process or the director's consent.  This class is considered an advanced jazz course and includes advanced elements of jazz theory, historical and cultural context, and connections to other disciplines. Students will study advanced improvisation skills and techniques and will perform in concerts and competitions.  This course may be taken as an Honors course (additional performances/ assignments are required).  

Anticipated annual events for this class
- Lincoln Field Show Competition*
- Winter Concert
- Folsom Jazz Festival*
- Woodcreek Jazz Festival*
- Reno Jazz Festival (overnight trip, fee required)
- Spring Concert
- Jazz Showcase Concert*

*Offsite event; expenses covered by requested annual donation.​
 

Marching Band & Color Guard (Fall Semester) Grades: 9-12

All musicians welcome. Drumline by audition during MBCG Camp (see below for camp information).  

This class incorporates instrumental and visual techniques. Students provide spirit and pep band music during home football games, perform at community events, and compete in four field-show competitions. Drumline and Color Guard have opportunities for additional performances at rallies and other school events.  

Note: Marching Band/ Color Guard is a Fall Semester course worth 5 credits. Students earn one semester of Fine Arts credit in 9th grade and can choose Fine Arts or PE credit in 10-12th grade. 
 

*Auditions take place mid-March at MVHS. Preparation is the key to success.  Please contact your middle school music teacher or MVHS directors for more information.  

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Questions?
Ed Cloyd (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Bands, Concert Band, Marching Band) ecloyd@srvusd.net
Sara Dasovich (Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra) sdasovich@srvusd.net
Ammara Basheer (General inquiry) president@mvkeynoters.org