Redwood Music Curriculum
Elementary School General Music
The Saratoga Union School District provides a limited music program during the school day using the services of a music specialist. The music specialist engages the students in weekly high-quality and varied experiences in singing, playing instruments (pitched and unpitched percussion and recorders), music appreciation, drama, performance, multicultural, season and folk music, reading and notating music, and composition. Kodaly, Orff, and traditional methods are used. Students are introduced to and practice using the language of music in their disucssions of composers and musical performances. Students in grades K-3 receive 30 minutes of musical activities per week. Students in grades 4-5 receive instruction 45 minutes weekly. In addition, students in grades 4-5 in the district elementary choir meets weekly after school. The Saratoga Education Foundation (SEF) furnishes this program.
Elementary School Instrumental Music
Saratoga Music Boosters (SMB) funds support two elementary school instrumental programs: string orchestra and beginning band. Students who have class in the morning before school are taken to their respective schools by bus before regular class begins. All groups perform annually at Fall & Spring district concerts as well as at SMB’s Pancake Breakfast in May.
Elementary School String Orchestras (Grades 4 & 5)
Students may start on one of four string orchestra instruments: violin, viola, cello, and string bass. Depending on a student’s experience in playing a string instrument, he or she may be placed in one of two levels of string groups to most appropriately match his or her musical growth.
- SUSD Beginning Strings
• Instructor: Aryn Krijnen
• Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00 – 5:15 PM
• Where: Redwood Flex Building
- SUSD Allegro (Intermediate) Strings
• Instructor: Aryn Krijnen
• Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:30 – 6:30 PM
• Where: Redwood Flex Building
Elementary School Band (Grade 5)
Students may play in the SUSD Beginning Band program. Students may choose to start on a woodwind (flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone) or brass (trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone) instrument.
• Woodwind Instructor: Lauri Sutterfield
• Brass Instructor: Becky Dugan
• Meets: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 7:10 – 8:00 AM
• Where: Argonaut Cafeteria
Elementary School String Orchestras (Grades 4 & 5)
Students may start on one of four string orchestra instruments: violin, viola, cello, and string bass. Depending on a student’s experience in playing a string instrument, he or she may be placed in one of two levels of string groups to most appropriately match his or her musical growth.
- SUSD Beginning Strings
• Instructor: Aryn Krijnen
• Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00 – 5:15 PM
• Where: Redwood Flex Building
- SUSD Allegro (Intermediate) Strings
• Instructor: Aryn Krijnen
• Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:30 – 6:30 PM
• Where: Redwood Flex Building
Elementary School Band (Grade 5)
Students may play in the SUSD Beginning Band program. Students may choose to start on a woodwind (flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone) or brass (trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone) instrument.
• Woodwind Instructor: Lauri Sutterfield
• Brass Instructor: Becky Dugan
• Meets: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 7:10 – 8:00 AM
• Where: Argonaut Cafeteria
Redwood Middle School Music
The Saratoga Union School District provides two periods of band, and two periods of 6th Grade Music Exploratory during the school day at Redwood Middle School. SMB funds and student tuition provide the following additional programs outside of school: Marching Band (and Band Camp), Color Guard & Jazz Dance, Instrumental Ensembles, Jazz Band, String Orchestras, and Honor Chorus. All groups perform annually at Fall & Spring district concerts as well as at SMB’s Pancake Breakfast in May. Advanced groups, Honor Chorus, Marching Band and Color Guard also perform at other events including community events, concerts and music competitions/festivals with other schools and districts.
Music Exploratory (Grade 6)
All Redwood students in the 6th grade are given a year of 6-week exploratory blocks in which they are introduced to small segments of possible electives that they may choose in 7th and 8th grades. Music exploratory includes topics on basic music notation and reading, world music, musical instrument families, basic symphonic music theory and concepts, music as a communicative and artistic medium, American music history, and more.
• Instructor: Jon Jow
• Meets: 6th Grade Exploratory periods during normal school day
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Griffin Band (Grade 6-8)
All 6th grade band students take this period of band during Redwood’s “A” Period from 7:25 – 8:10 AM before the normal school day begins. Additionally, any 7th or 8th grade band students who cannot fit 1st period Advanced Band into their schedules may also sign up for Griffin Band. The focus of this group is to continue growth and progress of what students have learned previously in the Beginning Band including theory, technique, and aspects of performance.
• Instructor: Jon Jow
• Meets: A Period before normal school day from 7:25-8:10 AM
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Advanced Band (Grades 7 & 8):
All 7th and 8th grade band students are eligible to play in the Redwood Advanced Concert Band. Advanced Band is an elective during the regular Redwood school day. The focus of this group is to continue musical growth and progress of what students have learned previously in the intermediate Griffin Band including theory, technique, and aspects of performance. The Advanced Band also performs and competes with the Color Guard as the Redwood Marching Band. The curriculum of the Advanced Band is divided into various seasonal emphases, with concert band as the constant ongoing musical focus. These include marching band in the fall, followed by the holiday concert program, solo & ensemble playing, spring concert and music festival participation, and pops music and awards at the end of the school year.
• Instructor: Jon Jow
• Meets: 1st Period of Redwood School Day
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Marching Band & Band Camp (Band Grades 7 & 8, Color Guard Grades 6-8):
Redwood Band Camp meets for one week at the end of summer vacation to begin preparing band and color guard students for fall marching band and Color Guard competitions and performances. The marching band is made up of all 7th and 8th grade Advanced Band students and color guard students (some of which also serve as the I.D. unit). Marching Band season runs approximately from September until the beginning of December, with one additional possible marching band competition in the Spring. Tuition covers the costs of instructors, supplies, competition fees and transportation.
• Instructors: Jon Jow, Frank Wyant & Katherine Green
• Meets: One week of Band Camp at the end of summer (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM), weekly rehearsals during A Period during marching season
• Where: Redwood Middle School
Redwood Woodwind & Brass Ensembles (Grades 6-8):
Redwood band students are given the opportunity to further develop their skills on their instruments under the instruction of an instrumental specialist and refine music and concepts currently being worked on in their other music classes. Tuition covers the costs of teachers and classroom supplies.
• Instructors: Lauri Sutterfield, Laurie Camphouse, & Becky Dugan
• Meets: Wednesday afternoons after school (with the exception of minimum Wednesdays, where students meet earlier on either Wednesday or Thursday)
• Where: Redwood Middle School
Redwood Beginning/Intermediate Percussion Ensemble (Grades 6-8): For students brand new to music interested in playing concert band percussion, or for students with some musical experience on other instruments who are interested in learning the fundamentals of concert percussion as well. Tuition covers instruction and classroom supplies.
• Instructors: Frank Wyant, Jon Jow
• Meets: Thursdays, 3:15-4:00 PM
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Advanced Percussion Ensemble (Grades 7 & 8):
Band students who have had at least one year of concert percussion experience are eligible to participate in this group. Advanced Percussion Ensemble further develops skills, knowledge and musicianship learned in concert band and the Beginning/Intermediate Percussion Ensemble. This group performs at Solo & Ensemble Festival and sometimes in competition as well as at district concerts. Tuition covers instruction and classroom supplies.
• Instructors: Frank Wyant, Jon Jow
• Meets: Mondays & Fridays, 3:15-4:15 PM
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Jazz Band (Grades 7 & 8):
Music students who are also in another primary performing ensemble such as band or orchestra may audition for a chance to be in the Redwood Jazz Band. Students are given the opportunity to learn techniques and styles of instrumental jazz playing, including improvising on their own instruments. Tuition covers instruction, uniforms, and classroom supplies.
• Instructor: Naoki Taniguchi
• Meets: Thursdays, 5:45-7:00 PM
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Presto (Advanced-Intermediate) Strings (Grades 6-8):
Redwood string students audition to be placed in one of two string groups. Students are given the opportunity to refine playing techniques, enhance musicianship, and play in a group with their peers. Tuition covers instruction and classroom supplies.
• Instructor: Scott Krijnen
• Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:00-7:00 PM
• Where: Redwood Drama Room (52)
Redwood Vivace (Advanced) String Orchestra (Grades 6-8):
Redwood string students audition to be placed in one of two string groups. Students are given the opportunity to further develop playing techniques, enhance musicianship, and play in a group with their peers. The Vivace String Orchestra participates at the CMEA Orchestra Festival and performs at district concerts annually. Tuition covers instruction, uniforms, and classroom supplies.
• Instructor: Scott Krijnen
• Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30-6:00 PM
• Where: Redwood Drama Room (52)
Redwood Honor Chorus (Grades 6-8):
Open to any and all Redwood students. The only requirement to join: a love of singing! The Honor Chorus participates at the CMEA Choral Festival and performs at district concerts annually. Tuition covers instruction, uniforms, and classroom supplies.
• Instructor: Jon Jow
• Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays during lunch; Thursday, 7:15-8:30 PM
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Color Guard (Grades 6-8):
The Redwood Color Guard consists of two elements: the tall flag team and the I.D. unit. In the Fall, Color Guard members spin and toss flags and props, and the I.D. unit animates the “REDWOOD” identification shields to routines in competition along with the Marching Band. Color Guard also becomes the Redwood Jazz Dance team in the Spring. The Jazz Dance team competes and/or performs at least twice in the Spring season. Tuition covers instruction, uniforms, supplies, competition fees and transportation.
• Instructors: Katherine Green
• Meets: “A” Period of normal school days
• Where: Redwood Multipurpose Room (Gym)
Redwood Summer Music (Grades 3-8):
During the same 4 weeks as Redwood Summer School, Redwood Summer Music allows students to remain at school after normal summer school and spend their afternoons engaged in maintaining their playing skills, learning new instruments or skills, and continuing their music education during the vacation. Students customize their schedule with and rotate between three periods of music classes daily. Classes are small and informal, and the program is flexible to accommodate vacation plans and other minor conflicts with students’ various summer activities. Registration and tuition is handled through LGS Recreation. Please consult LGS Recreation for more information.
• Instructors: Redwood Summer Music Staff
• Meets: Same 4 weeks as Redwood Summer School, Monday-Friday, 1:00-3:15 PM
• Where: Redwood Middle School
Music Exploratory (Grade 6)
All Redwood students in the 6th grade are given a year of 6-week exploratory blocks in which they are introduced to small segments of possible electives that they may choose in 7th and 8th grades. Music exploratory includes topics on basic music notation and reading, world music, musical instrument families, basic symphonic music theory and concepts, music as a communicative and artistic medium, American music history, and more.
• Instructor: Jon Jow
• Meets: 6th Grade Exploratory periods during normal school day
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Griffin Band (Grade 6-8)
All 6th grade band students take this period of band during Redwood’s “A” Period from 7:25 – 8:10 AM before the normal school day begins. Additionally, any 7th or 8th grade band students who cannot fit 1st period Advanced Band into their schedules may also sign up for Griffin Band. The focus of this group is to continue growth and progress of what students have learned previously in the Beginning Band including theory, technique, and aspects of performance.
• Instructor: Jon Jow
• Meets: A Period before normal school day from 7:25-8:10 AM
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Advanced Band (Grades 7 & 8):
All 7th and 8th grade band students are eligible to play in the Redwood Advanced Concert Band. Advanced Band is an elective during the regular Redwood school day. The focus of this group is to continue musical growth and progress of what students have learned previously in the intermediate Griffin Band including theory, technique, and aspects of performance. The Advanced Band also performs and competes with the Color Guard as the Redwood Marching Band. The curriculum of the Advanced Band is divided into various seasonal emphases, with concert band as the constant ongoing musical focus. These include marching band in the fall, followed by the holiday concert program, solo & ensemble playing, spring concert and music festival participation, and pops music and awards at the end of the school year.
• Instructor: Jon Jow
• Meets: 1st Period of Redwood School Day
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Marching Band & Band Camp (Band Grades 7 & 8, Color Guard Grades 6-8):
Redwood Band Camp meets for one week at the end of summer vacation to begin preparing band and color guard students for fall marching band and Color Guard competitions and performances. The marching band is made up of all 7th and 8th grade Advanced Band students and color guard students (some of which also serve as the I.D. unit). Marching Band season runs approximately from September until the beginning of December, with one additional possible marching band competition in the Spring. Tuition covers the costs of instructors, supplies, competition fees and transportation.
• Instructors: Jon Jow, Frank Wyant & Katherine Green
• Meets: One week of Band Camp at the end of summer (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM), weekly rehearsals during A Period during marching season
• Where: Redwood Middle School
Redwood Woodwind & Brass Ensembles (Grades 6-8):
Redwood band students are given the opportunity to further develop their skills on their instruments under the instruction of an instrumental specialist and refine music and concepts currently being worked on in their other music classes. Tuition covers the costs of teachers and classroom supplies.
• Instructors: Lauri Sutterfield, Laurie Camphouse, & Becky Dugan
• Meets: Wednesday afternoons after school (with the exception of minimum Wednesdays, where students meet earlier on either Wednesday or Thursday)
• Where: Redwood Middle School
Redwood Beginning/Intermediate Percussion Ensemble (Grades 6-8): For students brand new to music interested in playing concert band percussion, or for students with some musical experience on other instruments who are interested in learning the fundamentals of concert percussion as well. Tuition covers instruction and classroom supplies.
• Instructors: Frank Wyant, Jon Jow
• Meets: Thursdays, 3:15-4:00 PM
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Advanced Percussion Ensemble (Grades 7 & 8):
Band students who have had at least one year of concert percussion experience are eligible to participate in this group. Advanced Percussion Ensemble further develops skills, knowledge and musicianship learned in concert band and the Beginning/Intermediate Percussion Ensemble. This group performs at Solo & Ensemble Festival and sometimes in competition as well as at district concerts. Tuition covers instruction and classroom supplies.
• Instructors: Frank Wyant, Jon Jow
• Meets: Mondays & Fridays, 3:15-4:15 PM
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Jazz Band (Grades 7 & 8):
Music students who are also in another primary performing ensemble such as band or orchestra may audition for a chance to be in the Redwood Jazz Band. Students are given the opportunity to learn techniques and styles of instrumental jazz playing, including improvising on their own instruments. Tuition covers instruction, uniforms, and classroom supplies.
• Instructor: Naoki Taniguchi
• Meets: Thursdays, 5:45-7:00 PM
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Presto (Advanced-Intermediate) Strings (Grades 6-8):
Redwood string students audition to be placed in one of two string groups. Students are given the opportunity to refine playing techniques, enhance musicianship, and play in a group with their peers. Tuition covers instruction and classroom supplies.
• Instructor: Scott Krijnen
• Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:00-7:00 PM
• Where: Redwood Drama Room (52)
Redwood Vivace (Advanced) String Orchestra (Grades 6-8):
Redwood string students audition to be placed in one of two string groups. Students are given the opportunity to further develop playing techniques, enhance musicianship, and play in a group with their peers. The Vivace String Orchestra participates at the CMEA Orchestra Festival and performs at district concerts annually. Tuition covers instruction, uniforms, and classroom supplies.
• Instructor: Scott Krijnen
• Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30-6:00 PM
• Where: Redwood Drama Room (52)
Redwood Honor Chorus (Grades 6-8):
Open to any and all Redwood students. The only requirement to join: a love of singing! The Honor Chorus participates at the CMEA Choral Festival and performs at district concerts annually. Tuition covers instruction, uniforms, and classroom supplies.
• Instructor: Jon Jow
• Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays during lunch; Thursday, 7:15-8:30 PM
• Where: Redwood Music Room (51)
Redwood Color Guard (Grades 6-8):
The Redwood Color Guard consists of two elements: the tall flag team and the I.D. unit. In the Fall, Color Guard members spin and toss flags and props, and the I.D. unit animates the “REDWOOD” identification shields to routines in competition along with the Marching Band. Color Guard also becomes the Redwood Jazz Dance team in the Spring. The Jazz Dance team competes and/or performs at least twice in the Spring season. Tuition covers instruction, uniforms, supplies, competition fees and transportation.
• Instructors: Katherine Green
• Meets: “A” Period of normal school days
• Where: Redwood Multipurpose Room (Gym)
Redwood Summer Music (Grades 3-8):
During the same 4 weeks as Redwood Summer School, Redwood Summer Music allows students to remain at school after normal summer school and spend their afternoons engaged in maintaining their playing skills, learning new instruments or skills, and continuing their music education during the vacation. Students customize their schedule with and rotate between three periods of music classes daily. Classes are small and informal, and the program is flexible to accommodate vacation plans and other minor conflicts with students’ various summer activities. Registration and tuition is handled through LGS Recreation. Please consult LGS Recreation for more information.
• Instructors: Redwood Summer Music Staff
• Meets: Same 4 weeks as Redwood Summer School, Monday-Friday, 1:00-3:15 PM
• Where: Redwood Middle School