The Kastner Instrumental Music Programs are focused on large performing ensembles including bands, orchestras, percussion, and colorguard. These groups perform many times throughout the school year utilizing virtually every medium of ensemble performance possible.
Percussion
class is for students who play, or wish to learn to play percussion
instruments. Some students will be
eligible to participate in a concert band and/or a jazz band. All percussion students may try-out to be in
competitive Winter Percussion, “Kastner Thunder”, and the Concert Percussion
Ensemble. Percussion is a year-long course and if selected for Winter
Percussion there will be weekly after school, which are mandatory to attend.
Gold Band / Cardinal Band / Symphonic Band
Band
is for students who play, or would like to learn how to play, a brass or
woodwind instrument. We have three
concert bands at Kastner. Symphonic Band
is our advanced group and is mostly 8th graders. Cardinal Band is our intermediate group and is a combination of 7th and 8th graders. Gold Band is our beginning to intermediate group and is mostly 7th graders. Each child will be placed into one or more of our bands determined by our Kastner Band Director. All band classes are year-long courses and do have concerts.
String Orchestra / Chamber Orchestra
Orchestra
is for students who play, or would like to learn how to play, a string
instrument: Violin, viola, cello, or
string bass. Chamber Orchestra is our
advanced group and is mostly 8th graders. String Orchestra is our intermediate group and consists of 7th and 8th graders. There is an audition process which will take place at students’ elementary feeder schools to determine which strings class you will be placed in. This is a year-long course. Students are eligible to take more than one music class.
Pre-Requisite: Enrolled concurrently in another instrumental
music class
Jazz Band is open to all students who play, or wish to play a traditional jazz instrument. Students must be concurrently enrolled in another instrumental music class at Kastner in order to participate in Jazz Band at Kastner. Due to the requirement for participation in two bands at Kastner (Jazz plus one other) this course also will require students to enroll in Zero Period PE or Lunchtime PE. All Jazz Band classes are year-long courses and do have concerts.
Colorguard
members participate in two dance recitals during the year and all colorguard
members participate in the competitive winterguard during second semester. The colorguard is also part of any parades in
which the Kastner bands participate and they will also perform at the CUSD Band
Night. There will be a try-out day for
students interested in joining colorguard, students will be notified following
try-outs if they have been selected to be on the team. There are after-school and weekend practices,
as well as performances which are all mandatory to attend. This is a year-long course.