Members of our Manhattan Beach Middle School instrumental ensembles enjoy involvement in a campus organization that provides immediate identity and purpose. MBMS instrumental music ensembles encourage and promote academic excellence, and rehearsals and performances are compatible with the students’ academic responsibilities. Band and orchestra members are involved in concerts, festivals, recitals and honor groups.
MBMS has 7 music ensembles:
Goals: Through the making of music, all participants in the MBMS instrumental music program will work towards the following musical and non-musical goals:
Auditions:
Before the end of the school year there will be auditions for membership to all of the ensembles to appropriately place students in the correct classes. Audition requirements will be available in January. Please contact Mrs. Haslop for details.
Students playing popular instruments may decide to switch to instruments that are not common. This will help in the instrumentation needs of each ensemble, and also alleviate competition to advance into the next group. Placement into the next level group will be based solely on the audition. Students in Chamber Orchestra and Symphonic Band who are currently 6th and 7th graders do not need to audition again, but must maintain an average of 90% in the class to remain in the group next year.
5th graders currently enrolled in band/strings in MBUSD elementary schools automatically qualify for Cadet Orchestra or Cadet Band. No audition is required. However, incoming 6th graders who'd like advanced placements need to audition in April. They would need to contact their current band/string teacher in February regarding audition times and materials.
Recitals and Solo Competition:
Recitals are usually held twice a year. Students get to perform pieces in front of their peers, family and friends in solos or small groups. We are fortunate to have the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club sponsor our annual Instrumental Music Solo Competition. Top students are encouraged to participate in the competition. First place winners will get to perform for the Rotary Club, usually taking place in January. Information about this competition will be sent home with students.
Our Instrumental Music Program is taught by Denise Haslop (310) 545 4878 x 3121.
Listen and watch the Chamber Orchestra perform "Allegro Vivo", "Reverie" and "A Bark Gigue" at the adjudicated 2012 Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Festival as recorded by parent Eran Rich