Music Program

Performance Groups 

The Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Choir, are performance ensembles and have performed at WUSD’s annual Art Show, the San Benancio Middle School’s Graduation, and the Big Sur Marathon. The groups have also competed in the Magic Music Days at Disneyland and Music in the Parks festivals at Great America, Magic Mountain, Marine World, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, winning many trophies and awards. There are several concert performances, competitions, and field trips throughout the year, making these classes fun and exciting! The Concert Band and Jazz Band meet before school at 7:15AM, while the Choir is held during the activity period at SBMS. 

The Advanced Band at Washington Union School is for students in their second year of music or those first year players who excel on their instruments. In past years, the band has performed at the winter and spring concerts as well as the WUSD art show. In this class, students will strengthen their inner musicians and deepen their understanding of their instruments and will share these discoveries with each other through musical collaboration.

The Concert Band includes instrumental students from San Benancio Middle School and very advanced Washington Union School band members. Students learn and play a wide range of music, from classical to popular and modern. This class aims to develop the musician in students by strengthening their listening skills, musicality, collaborative skills, facility on their instruments, and also covers some music theory and music history. The band meets at San Benancio Middle School at 7:15 a.m. Beginning players rehearse on Mondays and Wednesdays, while more experienced players rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After a few months, both groups are combined into one band.

The Jazz Band is an auditioned ensemble and offers an opportunity for students to achieve a higher level of skill in music and performance. Jazz has a more challenging rhythmic structure with improvisation and solo opportunities. Our school has been affiliated with the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Traveling Clinicians Program since 1997. Every month, world-renowned musicians work side-by-side with our Jazz Band students, teaching skills unique to their instruments or music. The jazz band meets at San Benancio Middle School at 7:15 AM every Friday. 

The WUSD Music Program has a lot to offer. All students are encouraged to participate in our exceptional program. Help us carry on the premise that “Music Is Fun!” As we encourage participation in all elements of the program, we welcome your assistance. If you are interested in visiting or helping (personally or financially) with this very active program, please call your school office, so our administrative assistants can forward your name to the appropriate party.