ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The James Monroe High School Music Department has a long tradition of excellence. The music program is over 60 years old and in this time the music department has received many honors ranging from performing at L.A. Forum to performing in the Rose Parade. The music department at James Monroe High School has been a pillar of the North Hills Community since its inception in 1958. Although many things have changed since James Monroe High School opened, one thing has remained constant, the music department continues "Building on a Tradition of Excellence".
ChoirThe Choir at James Monroe High School is back and in a big way! The choir performed "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson in collaboration with the choir from Royal High School. Ms. Staves believes that this type of collaboration is not only fun but is important for students to have the opportunity to meet other musicians.
GuitarThis month, Ms. Staves’s classes are focusing on becoming Active Listeners in Music. Any person can listen to music and tell whether it is good or bad. But can they explain “WHY”? Why did you connect with the song? What was is about the song that made you feel that way? What tricks did this musician use to make you listen to that song on repeat? Are you a victim to a music formula trapping you into a music money making scheme? The students have been asked to make a playlist of their favorite songs, and in using these songs as the foundation for her lessons, Ms. Staves’s students are being introduced to the various elements of music that work together to make a music listener laugh, cry, feel, hate and/or love a song. From this moment on, Ms. Staves’s students will no longer be bystanders in the music that they listen to, but will now have the vocabulary and knowledge to hear more efficiently, communicate more effectively, and connect far deeper than the average human. Soon they will be in control of their own musical identity!
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STRING ORCHESTRAThere are currently 3 string orchestra's at James Monroe High School. James Monroe High School offers Advanced Orchestra and Beginning Orchestra, as well as our "Bienvenidos to Strings Orchestra". The "Bienvenidos to Strings Orchestra" features newcomers to not only the orchestra world but newcomers to the United States. James Monroe High School has a population of approximately 500 students per year that are new to the U.S. and the "Bienvedios to Strings Orchestra" features students from this population. The orchestra is designed to support Spanish speakers learning English and at the same time to help students acclimating to living in the United States.
The Advanced Orchestra at James Monroe High School is the flagship ensemble. It is the core focus of the string program and features the top string students in the school. |
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CONCERT BAND
There are currently 3 concert bands at James Monroe High School. Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Band. The Intermediate Band is called the Wind Symphony and is the largest group. The Advanced Band is called the Wind Ensemble, and features the most advanced players in the school. The Wind Ensemble is the flagship ensemble at James Monroe High School. The music program at Monroe High School is focused around the concert ensembles.
The concert band at James Monroe High School perform a variety of literature. The students in the concert band classes learn the fundamentals of playing their instrument as well as the traditional repertoire for concert bands.
The concert band at James Monroe High School perform a variety of literature. The students in the concert band classes learn the fundamentals of playing their instrument as well as the traditional repertoire for concert bands.
VIKING MARCHING BAND
The Viking Marching Band at James Monroe High School is the most visible ensemble at James Monroe High School. The marching band competes in SCSBOA competitions annually and also performs several parades in the North Hills community as well as all over Southern California. The Viking Marching Band has had 3 consecutive years placing in the top 4 at the LAUSD Marching Band Championships.
The 2019 season was a high point for the Viking Marching Band with a second place finish at the LAUSD Marching band Championships. The Viking Marching Band received their highest score in nearly two decades.
The Viking Marching band also contributes to the school community by performing at all home football games,
pep rallies, and assemblies.
The 2019 season was a high point for the Viking Marching Band with a second place finish at the LAUSD Marching band Championships. The Viking Marching Band received their highest score in nearly two decades.
The Viking Marching band also contributes to the school community by performing at all home football games,
pep rallies, and assemblies.
BIG RED JAZZ BAND
The Big Red Jazz Band at James Monroe High School is a group that features the top jazz musicians in the school. The Big Red Jaz Band performs for school events as well as many community events. The Big Red Jazz Band has performed for many events ranging from the Northridge Farmer's Market to LAUSD Board Meetings.
The Big Red Jazz Band plays all styles of music ranging from swing charts to modern rock. The Big Red Jazz Band prides itself on being able to perform a wide variety of music as well as their excellent musicianship.
The Big Red Jazz Band plays all styles of music ranging from swing charts to modern rock. The Big Red Jazz Band prides itself on being able to perform a wide variety of music as well as their excellent musicianship.
Colorguard
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The Color guard at James Monroe High School is the pre-eminent dance group at James Monroe High School. The group consists of students that are skilled in using tall flags, sabers, rifles, swing flags and many more. The students use their foundation of ballet and modern dance in coordination with the equipment mentioned above to create a visually stunning representation of the music. The color guard performs as part of the marching band in the fall and in the spring the color guard competes on their own in the WGASC circuit.
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