Our wonderful instrumental music program allows students to delve into various styles of ensemble music while building their skills in theory and performance.
Meet the Instrumental Music Teacher
Kevin Thurow hails from Exeter, California where he attended public schools. At the age of 11 he began studying the saxophone and discovered his passion for music. Throughout high school he got very involved with his schools music program, which included concert band, choir, marching band, and jazz ensemble. Throughout the summers he attended a variety of jazz camps including Brubeck institute, Idyllwild summer arts, jazz at Sac State and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat jazz camp. In 2008 he moved to Southern California to pursue music education at California State University Northridge where he studied saxophone with Jerry Luedders. During his studies at CSU Northridge, he played with the CSUN Wind Ensemble, CSUN Wind Symphony, and CSUN Saxophone Quartet. Upon graduating from CSUN in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education he began playing with Los Angeles Symphonic Winds under the direction of Steve Piazza and has toured throughout the state of California and internationally to China. He student taught while getting his credential at Westlake High School under the direction or Brian Peter and Nobel Charter Middle School under the direction of Anthony Espinosa. Additionally, he taught 3 years in LAUSD at Grant High School. He continues to expand his knowledge through music conferences such as CASMEC, Mid West Clinic and JEN.
Courses Available
Advanced Band AB
The major emphasis of this course is to develop student achievement through the study of band music and other forms including chamber music. The course develops the ability to perform on an instrument with considerable skill, accuracy, and aesthetic sensitivity, develops skills in score reading, and develops understanding and appreciation of artistic expression. The course provides opportunities for increasing skill in ensemble playing, and provides acquaintance with and study of the standard repertory of band that is technically and qualitatively advanced. The student is provided with opportunities to examine and study the fundamental arts components including, where applicable, the perceptual, creative, historical, and critical.
Marching Band
The major emphasis of this course is to provide students with a program to develop the instrumental performance and marching skills within the marching band setting. Objectives are to combine high-level musical performance with uniform marching style to create interesting and entertaining maneuvers suitable for parades, sporting events and other outdoor venues. This course is open to students who have experience with performing on a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument or with the permission of the teacher.
Advanced Orchestra AB
The major emphasis of this course is to develop student achievement through the study of more difficult orchestral music and other forms, including chamber music. The course develops the ability to perform on an instrument with considerable skill, accuracy, and aesthetic sensitivity; develops skills in score reading; develops understanding and appreciation of artistic expression. The course provides opportunities for increasing skill in ensemble playing, and provides acquaintance with the standards repertory of orchestra that is technically and qualitatively advanced. The student is also provided with opportunities to examine and study the fundamental arts components including, where applicable, the perceptual, creative, historical, and critical.
Jazz Ensemble AB (Lab and Studio)
The major emphasis of this course is to develop student achievement through the study of jazz ensemble music and other forms including improvisation and combos. The course develops the ability to perform on an instrument with considerable skill, accuracy, and aesthetic sensitivity, develops skills in score reading and arranging, and develops understanding and appreciation of artistic expression. The course provides opportunities for increasing skill in solo and ensemble playing, and provides acquaintance with and study of the standard repertory of jazz that is technically and qualitatively advanced. The student develops an awareness of the influence of personality, intelligence, talent, coordination, and discipline on the style of the individual musician.
Guitar AB
The major emphasis of this course is to develop student achievement through beginning study of the guitar. The course develops the physical skills necessary to play beginning level music accurately and with good tone quality, develops skills in reading music notation, and develops an understanding of the historical significance of the guitar and its literature. The course also provides opportunities for growth in the understanding of musical elements as applied to the music played.
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