Brea Junior High offers a variety of levels in band classes as well as a guitar class for seventh and eighth graders. Check the descriptions below to find the most appropriate class for you. All classes are year-long electives and students are not allowed to change electives mid-year once enrolled. However, when students show great progress, it is possible for them to transfer from one band class to another (i.e. Beginning to Intermediate, Intermediate to Concert) between semesters.
More Information:
Course Descriptions
Beginning Guitar- Period 1
Beginning Guitar is for students who would like to learn to play guitar that have had little or no experience playing the guitar or reading music. The course covers a variety of styles on the guitar including blues, classical, and rock. All students learn to read music, and guitar tablature (tabs) is used as an aid in the learning of musical notation. Students will gain skills including guitar tuning, note reading, and basic chords. Students will gain the musical knowledge to be able to write and perform their own music by the end of the year. Students must provide their own acoustic guitar. Electric guitars are only allowed in extreme circumstances (contact Mrs. Bartell to seek approval).
Sign up for this class if:
- You have little or no experience playing guitar.
- You have experience playing guitar but do not know how to read music.
- You are willing to spend time practicing and learn different styles of music.
- No experience required! All students welcome!
Beginning Band- Period 2
Beginning Band is geared for the student who would like to learn to play a wind or percussion instrument but has little or no musical experience, or for the student who would like to learn a new instrument. Instruments taught in this class include flute, oboe, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion (i.e. xylophone, bells, snare drum, and bass drum). Students will learn the basics of playing their chosen instrument including sound production, rhythm and note reading, basic music theory, and basic composition skills. Students are required to participate in all concerts designated by Mrs. Bartell (at least one per year). There will be field trips and activities scheduled throughout the year as well. Students who participate in Beginning Band are strongly encouraged to continue with instrumental music in either Intermediate or Concert Bands at BJH and in the award-winning instrumental music program at Brea Olinda High School.
Sign up for this class if:
- You participated in beginning band in fourth or fifth grade but not in sixth grade and want to try again.
- You participated in beginning band in sixth grade as a beginner (with Mr. Lukehart)
- You have never participated in band before.
- You wish to learn a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument (see description above)
- No experience required! All students welcome!
Intermediate Band- Period 3
Intermediate Band is for the student who has played an instrument for at least a year. Instruments taught in this class include flute, oboe, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion (i.e. xylophone, bells, snare drum, and bass drum). The class will focus on continued development of musical techniques, music theory, and performance skills. Students are required to participate in all concerts designated by Mrs. Bartell (at least two per year). There will be field trips and activities scheduled throughout the year as well. Students who participate in Intermediate Band are strongly encouraged to continue with music in future years in the Concert Band at BJH and in the award-winning instrumental music program at Brea Olinda High School.
Sign up for this class if:
- You were in band in both fifth and sixth grade in elementary school
- You have at least one year of experience in band at a school outside the Brea Olinda Unified School District.
- You know how to read music but did not previously play a band instrument and you have Mrs. Bartell's approval to skip Beginning Band
- You took Beginning Band at BJH in seventh grade and did not audition for Concert Band
Concert Band- Period 4
Students are placed in Concert Band by audition only. Students in Concert Band generally have at least two to three years of music experience. The Concert Band is the most elite of all of the performing groups at Brea Junior High. The class will focus on advanced musical techniques as well as continued technical development and musicianship. Students enrolled in Concert Band represent Brea Junior High at festivals and at various other locations around the community and Southern California, including at other school in the area, amusement parks such as Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, and other community locations. Concert Band members are required to participate in all school concerts. Under Mrs. Bartell's direction, the prestigious Concert Band has consistently received ratings of excellent and superior at festivals and competitions throughout the region.
Sign up for this class if:
- You are a seventh grader already enrolled in Concert Band
- You have received prior approval from Mrs. Bartell to sign up for this class
- You were previously in a top-level band of similar quality at another school
Welcome!
Ensembles
