The CREST Program
Logo design by Elena Guo
Community Response for Emerald Support Teams (CREST) Program
The CREST Program is an extension of the Emerald High School Music Department. The primary purpose of this program is to create ensembles and teams that prepare non-EHS students for an honors-leveled music class or advanced performing group at EHS. These programs are FREE for participants, but we will ask for voluntary donations to help offset the cost of running these courses.
Cottonwood Creek and Fallon 6th-8th grade students will have the chance to join middle school programs. We also offer dance and guard programs to 3rd-5th graders of Cottonwood Creek School, James Dougherty Elementary, John Green Elementary, Kolb Elementary, and Amador Elementary students.
INFORMATION MEETING (Optional)
Want to learn more about the CREST Program and all of its offerings? Join us in-person at Emerald High School's Music Room (click here for directions) on Monday, September 23rd at 6:00PM-6:45PM. We will include a short tour of our facilities.
Grades 3-5: CREST Dance and Color Guard Programs
Grade 3
Dance
Dance
The dance program is an introductory dance class designed for students in grades 3 to prepare them for color guard in grades 4-5. No experience is required.
We also offer dance programs to Cottonwood Creek School, James Dougherty Elementary, John Green Elementary, Kolb Elementary, and Amador Elementary 3rd students.
Please wear flexible clothing that your students can move in. Avoid tight clothing like jeans.
SCHEDULE: Wednesdays from 3:45PM-5:00PM at Emerald High School Dance Room!
November 13 and 20
December 4 and 11
January 8, 15*, 22*, and 29
February 5, 12, 19, and 26
March 5, 12*, 19, and 26
April 2*
* Denotes tentativeCAPACITY: 1 spot open / 15 maximum
Grades 4-5
Dance and Color Guard
Dance and Color Guard
The grades 4-5 Dance and Color Guard program is an non-competitive program that features introduction to movement with the body and equipment. There is a larger concentration on flag basics to prepare students for the next course in sequence which is 6-8 competitive color guard. No experience is required.
We also offer dance and guard programs to Cottonwood Creek School, James Dougherty Elementary, John Green Elementary, Kolb Elementary, and Amador Elementary 4th-5th students.
SCHEDULE: Tuesdays from 5:00PM-6:00PM at Emerald High School Student Union!
November 12 and 19
December 3 and 10
January 7, 14, 21*, and 28
February 4, 11, 18*, and 25*
March 4, 11, 18, and 25
April 1
* Denotes tentativeCAPACITY: 9 spots open / 30 maximum
Grades 6th-8th; 9th-12th
Winter Guard [Competitive]
Winter Guard [Competitive]
NOTE: The CREST Program does not host these programs. We only direct information.
The grades 6th-8th grade Winter Guard program is open to Cottonwood Creek and Fallon Middle School students. Please refer to the Fallon Band website for full details.
The grades 9th-12th grade guard program is open to Dublin High and Emerald High students. Please refer to the Dublin High guard website for full details. Click here to see what winter guard in middle school and high school is like!
Note: Please do NOT register for 6th-8th grade color guard under the CREST Program. Email Mr. Garcia, Fallon Band Director, to register:
garcianicholas@dublinusd.org
The CREST Dance and Guard Program is designed to give students the opportunity to learn about movement in a young age. The guard sequence allows them to build skill in a fun and positive environment. Although we have this process here to support students, they may join at any grade.
Here is the pathway:
3rd Grade CREST Program 3rd Grade Dance
4th Grade CREST Program 4th/5th Grade Dance and Color Guard
5th Grade CREST Program 4th/5th Grade Dance and Color Guard
6th Grade Cottonwood Creek School & Fallon Middle School 6th-8th Grade Color Guard
7th Grade Cottonwood Creek School & Fallon Middle School 6th-8th Grade Color Guard
8th Grade Cottonwood Creek School & Fallon Middle School 6th-8th Grade Color Guard
9th Grade Dublin High School & Emerald High School Color Guard [Junior Varsity OR Varsity Depending on Level]
10th Grade Dublin High School & Emerald High School Color Guard [Junior Varsity OR Varsity Depending on Level]
11th Grade Dublin High School & Emerald High School Color Guard [Junior Varsity OR Varsity Depending on Level]
12th Grade Dublin High School & Emerald High School Color Guard [Junior Varsity OR Varsity Depending on Level]
Grades 6-8: CREST Performance Programs
Mentorship Program
CCS/Fallon Extracurricular Activity
6th-8th grade students will receive like-instrument mentorship from students in high school with the oversight of Mr. Tran. This is based off the availability of our volunteers. We may not be able to accommodate everyone's request.
Students must be enrolled in their school's (CCS/Fallon) music program to participate.
The time commitment is medium and the schedule will be based off of everyone's availability. The students will need to practice on their own to keep up with the pace of the course.
The students will receive a progress report at the end of the year from Mr. Tran as this is a progress based activity.
This activity is available to Cottonwood Creek and Fallon Middle School students.
Although the ensemble is open to all of these students, there is a minimum playing ability requirement.
Students must bring their instruments.
There will be no final performance.
SCHEDULE: Based on availability of the student and mentor. 30 minutes minimum per month. More may be added based on availability of mentors.
Intermediate Guitar
CCS/Fallon Extracurricular Activity
The guitar course is an intermediate level course which provides information to the history and technique of guitar performance. The audition will include note reading and chord analyzation as this will be a performance based class.
Although we do not offer a beginning guitar course, you can find local opportunities such as DPIE Introduction to Guitar, guitar as an elective at Emerald High, or local private lessons. We are discontinuing our beginning guitar program will eventually phase out guitar as the number of options in our community for guitar has grown.
This is open to 5th-10th graders of the EHS attendance area.
Audition is required.
There is a limit of 30 students.
A guitar is REQUIRED for this course. Students will need an acoustic guitar (not electric). We recommend you go to your local music store with your student so they can size it as guitars come in different sizes. E.g. Students will not be able to play their guitars if it's too big for them, so the size of the instrument is imperative.
Final performance TBA.
SCHEDULE: Tuesdays from 5:00PM-6:00PM at Emerald High School Student Union!
November 12 (Clinic and Audition) and 19 (Final Audition)
December 3 and 10
January 7, 14, 21*, and 28
February 4, 11, 18*, and 25*
March 4, 11, 18, and 25
April 1
* Denotes tentative - We may most likely NEED to cancel.
Piano Club
CCS/Fallon Extracurricular Activity
6th-10th grade students will be able to meet, discuss, and perform all things piano.
Students are not required to be in their school's music program to join.
The time commitment is low and the schedule will be based off of everyone's availability.
This is NOT a class.
This activity is available to 6th-8th graders of Cottonwood Creek and Fallon Middle School students in addition to 9th-10th grade students of Emerald High School.
Although the ensemble is open to all of these students, there is a minimum playing ability requirement.
Students must have a piano background. Students who wish to learn piano will be referred to local music stores for lessons. This is a club and not a class.
There will be performance opportunities through the school year.
SCHEDULE: 1 Meeting a Month. Announcements posted through Google Classroom for opportunities.
Grades 6-12: Emerald High Programs
Winter Percussion
6th-12th Grade
6th-12th Grade
Emerald High Extracurricular Activity
We invite CCS/Fallon Students
This program is available to Cottonwood Creek, Fallon, and Emerald High School students.
The rehearsals will be from October - April [Final Performance].
Rehearsal and practice expectation for November-March:
1+ hour a week: Coaches Provided by EHS [Tuesdays/Friday]
1+ hour a week: Full Ensemble Provided by EHS [Wednesdays]
1 hour a week: Self Practice - On Your Own
1 hour a week: Sectionals - With Your Section LeaderSCHEDULE: Rehearsal Dates: Tuesdays (Front Ensemble), Wednesdays (All), and Fridays (Battery). Please note we may add dates prior to the days you see below. We are still working with staff and facilities to see what we can get.
Battery In-Person Clinic: Friday, September 27th from 3:30-4:30PM at EHS.
Battery instruments include students who wish to play snare, quads, bass drum, or crash cymbals. Students must be available on Wednesdays and Fridays for rehearsals. These instruments demand a higher level of physical training since these members will be marching and carrying the drums. Musicianship is more demanding as well.Battery Audition Due: Wednesday, October 2nd 4:30PM.
Students will submit their audition video to Mr. Tran of the requested excerpt with a metronome in the background. We hope to have results posted by 10/04/24. We will ask you to play measure 115 to the end with a metronome in the background. Playing your audition on a practice pad is acceptable.Front Ensemble In-Person Clinic and Audition Tuesday, October 8th 3:30-4:30 at EHS
Front ensemble instruments include mallets, piano, bass guitar, and auxiliary instruments. During this audition, we will observe how the student is doing and place them based on the skill level we observe. We will ask you to play the beginning to measure 25. But if you are not sure what you want to play, we will help recommend a spot for you. Students must be available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for rehearsals.If accepted, the following rehearsal schedule is required:
TUESDAYS 3:30-6:00PM (Front Ensemble):
October 29
November 12
December 3 and 10
January 7, 14, and 28
February 4 and 11
March 4, 11, and 18
WEDNESDAYS 3:30-5:30PM (Full Ensemble):
November 13 and 20
December 4 and 11
January 8, 15*, 22*, and 29
February 5, 12, 19, and 26
March 5, 12*, 19, and 26
April 2*
* Denotes tentativeFRIDAYS 3:30-5:30PM (Battery):
October 25
November 1 (No School, but rehearse still), 8
December 6*, 13
January 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21*, 28
March 7*, 14, 28*
* Denotes tentativeCOMPETITIONS:
02.15.25 CCGC @James Logan HS
03.29.25 NCPA @James Logan HS
03.30.25 CCGC Circuit Percussion Championships Location TBA
04.05.25 NCPA Circuit Percussion Championships Stockton, CA
Winter Drum Major
6th-12th Grade
6th-12th Grade
Emerald High Extracurricular Activity
We invite CCS/Fallon Students
This program offers two different types of competitions:
The first is field conducting where students will conduct to a track.
The second is L-Pattern where students create a routine and march on a football field as if they are marching in a parade. There are in person and virtual competitions.
The time commitment is high as students need to work to practice and attend competitions. The most demanding time is in January when coaching and video assignments need to be completed.
Rehearsal and practice expectation for January:
1 hour a week: Coaches Provided by EHS
2 hours a week: Self Practice - On Your OwnThis program is available to Cottonwood Creek, Fallon, and Emerald High School students.
Although the ensemble is open to all of these students, there is a minimum conducting ability requirement.
Here are example videos so you can see what these programs look like:
Field Conducting Example
L-Pattern ExampleAUDITION REQUIREMENT [Field Conducting]: Students should be able to conduct through "The Machines." [Click Here] L-Pattern Auditions are in-person only.
SCHEDULE: Required in-person rehearsals in the Emerald High Music Room on the following Mondays:
1. January 6th, 2025 - No School: Winter Break
2. January 20th, 2025 - No School: MLK Day
3. February 17th, 2025 - No School: President's Day
Depending on progress, students may be asked to schedule rehearsals on Saturdays in January 2025.
Students will be asked to turn in four video assignments in January. Competitions begin in February and continue through March.
Saxophone Ensemble
6th-12th Grade
6th-12th Grade
Emerald High Extracurricular Activity
We invite CCS/Fallon Students
A saxophone ensemble is an advanced group that is made up of only saxophones. Students who have a soprano, alto, tenor, or bari sax are invited to audition.
The time commitment is medium as the goal of this program is for students to learn saxophone-specific technique needed to prepare them for the honors leveled band class in addition to advanced playing in high school.
There is no maximum number of students we can take so this ensemble is available to Cottonwood Creek, Fallon, and Emerald High School students.
Although the ensemble is open to all of these students, there is a minimum playing ability requirement. Advanced saxophone students are invited to audition.
Students must bring their instruments.
Performances: TBA
SCHEDULE: 3:30-4:30PM at EHS Music Room
October 14, 2024
November 4, 2024
December 2, 2024
January 13, 2025
February 3, 2025
March 3, 2025
April 14, 2025
May 5, 2025
(The majority of these are the first Monday of every month.)
Performance Honor Ensembles
6th-12th Grade
6th-12th Grade
Emerald High Courses
We invite CCS/Fallon Students
There are a number of openings in our high school classes and we invite students from Cottonwood Creek and Fallon Middle School to help us fill those spots in our honors level classes. Audition information will be sent out to students after they register.
Some weekend rehearsals may be needed.
Attendance at performances are required.
Students who participate in the EHS program as a middle schooler MUST be enrolled in the music program in their middle school.
BAND: Honors Winds Ensemble:
Rehearsals will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and/or Fridays (day selection still pending) from 3:30PM-4:30PM at Emerald High School. For the full school year.
Oboe - 3 Spots
Clarinet - 8 Spots (+2 For Bass Clarinet)
French Horn - 6 Spots
Baritone/Euphonium 4 Spots
Tuba - 3 SpotsORCHESTRA: Honors Chamber Orchestra:
Rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays from 2:15PM-3:30PM at Emerald High School. For the full school year.
Violin, viola, cello, and bass students may audition.
Student Attendance Expectations:
1. Students must arrive at least 5 minutes before their course begins. (Arriving on time is late as all courses begin on time.)
2. Gates in the front of the campus in addition to outside the VAPA building will be unlocked. Parents/guardians are NOT allowed onto campus unless they have been cleared as a volunteer through Be A Mentor with Mr. Tran.
3. Courses end at their end time. I recommend families pick up their students 5-minutes after their course ends to give them enough time to pack up and walk to the pick-up/drop off area.
4. Students are allowed to walk home on their own with parent/guardian permission.
Parent/Guardian and Driver Notes:
1. Please follow and obey all traffic signs. The safety of our students and our community is of the highest importance. Traffic offenders will result in their student's immediate removal of our program. Mr. Tran will be conducting traffic in the drop-off/pick-up area of school, so please be aware of his guidance.
2. Do not drop off or pick up your students more than 15 minutes before the course start time or 15 minutes after. We do not have supervision out during these times.
3. Parents/guardians (and other guests) are NOT allowed onto campus unless they have been cleared as a volunteer through Be A Mentor with Mr. Tran. A volunteer will direct students to their classrooms. Drivers may park in the parking lot.
4. Click here on where to drop off your student.
Student Attendance:
1. Students who have two unexcused absences will automatically be dropped from the course.
2. If a student is going to be late, needs to leave early, or is sick must have their parent/guardian email Mr. Tran as soon as possible. Any communications with Mr. Tran designates it as an excused absence.
3. Students who are sick or feel unwell should not attend their course.
REGISTER
for the 2024-2025 CREST Program HERE!
Registration will close on September 25th, 2024 4:30PM.