Instrumental Music

Department Overview

The instrumental music program at the South Orange County School of the Arts (SOCSA) offers a widely diverse course of study for the instrumental student. The student receives extensive technical training on his/her instrument, study of music history, theory, and composition, as well as many opportunities to perform in band, orchestra, and smaller instrumental ensembles. Attention is given to the development of the musical skills which are most important to the professional player: sight reading, understanding of musical styles, accompaniment, pit orchestra work, jazz and pop music, and solo and ensemble playing.

SOCSA’s instrumental music teachers and staff are dedicated to giving each student the highest possible level of training, and frequently invite guest artists to work with the instrumental students. The ultimate goal of the SOCSA Instrumental Music program is the development of talented and capable musicians who earn outstanding college and university recommendations, command attention in the world of professional music, and nurture a lifelong appreciation and love for all the arts.

Course Descriptions

Concert Band

This course is for students who have attained, at a minimum, intermediate proficiency on their instrument. Music of increasing difficulty is presented with instruction designed to increase the range, flexibility, endurance, tone quality, technical quality and stylistic interpretation of a wide variety of music. The group performs at school and community events, including, but not limited to, concerts, parades, field shows, assemblies, football games, and festivals. It is strongly advised that band students enroll in Marching Band as well to earn PE credit.

Marching Band

For Information about the 2021 Marching Band Season, Click Here

Our marching band performs at home football games, parades, festivals, and other special events throughout the Southern California area. Flag twirlers, and other color guard members are chosen as an auxiliary unit of the Marching Band. An elite Pep Band is selected from the Marching Band students to perform at pep rallies, away football games, and other events.

Jazz Ensemble

As part of SOCSA’s Jazz Ensemble, students study jazz repertoire and techniques for specific instruments including; trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, and rhythm instruments. Additionally, students are exposed to elements of jazz theory, improvisation, and harmonic constructions, as well as melodic, rhythmic and harmonic concepts, and how to apply those elements of jazz theory and improvisations. High standard of individual and ensemble performance are expected. Entrance to ensemble is strictly by audition only, and the individual must already be a part of the one of the large instrumental groups – band or orchestra.

String Orchestra

This course is designed to give all string players a well-rounded music education, which includes string pedagogy and string orchestra repertoire. Music of increasing difficulty is presented with instruction designed to increase the range, flexibility, endurance, tone quality, technical quality and stylistic interpretation of a wide variety of music. The group performs at school and community events, including, but not limited to, concerts, and festivals.

Wind Ensemble

This is the most advanced of the ensembles and is designed for the student who is a highly competent performer. The student is challenged by music of the highest caliber, requiring more sophisticated understanding of complex rhythms, all key signatures, musical terminology, ensemble skills, and extra effort on the part of the student. Wind ensemble is a major performing ensemble; participation in concerts, festivals, and assemblies is required. 

Chamber Orchestra

This is the most advanced of the String ensembles and is designed for the student who is a highly competent performer. The student is challenged by music of the highest caliber, requiring more sophisticated understanding of complex rhythms, all key signatures, musical terminology, ensemble skills, and extra effort on the part of the student. Repertoire is selected from the cannon of orchestral music written purposely for strings. Selected members of the Wind Ensemble will join this ensemble for major combined works with Winds, Strings, and Choir. Chamber Orchestra is a major performing ensemble; participation in concerts, festivals, and assemblies is required. 

Instrumental Music Handbook

To view the 2022 Instrumental Music Handbook, please CLICK HERE

Instrumental Music Google Calendar

This calendar is for Band and Orchestra. Click the + Sign in the bottom right corner of the calendar below to add it to your own calendar.

Marching Arts Google Calendar

This calendar is for Marching Band, Color Guard, and Drum Line. Click the + Sign in the bottom right corner of the calendar below to add it to your own calendar.

Have Questions? Email Mr. Caestecker at jjcaestecker@capousd.org