EHS Programs
Band Courses
Sequence:
Band 1 - Concert Band (CP) - 7TH PERIOD
Band 2 - Symphonic Band (CP) - 7TH PERIOD
Band 3 - Honors Wind Ensemble (HP) - 7TH PERIOD
Jazz 3 - Honors Jazz Ensemble (HP)Band is made up of wind and percussion students. Anyone, no matter what level, may join the symphonic band.
Instruments include: flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, baritone/euphonium, trombone, tuba, and percussion.
A level 1 class requires no audition but has a recommended playing level. Level 2 and 3 classes require an audition.
Students who play piano must select a band instrument and may join band, but should contact Mr. Tran first. We highly encourage students to play a band/orchestra instrument as piano parts vary by piece and class.
Orchestra Courses
Sequence:
Orchestra 1 - String Orchestra (CP)
Orchestra 2 - Philharmonic Orchestra (CP)
Orchestra 3 - Honors Chamber Orchestra (HP)Orchestra is made up of string instruments. Anyone, no matter what level, may join the string orchestra.
A level 1 class requires no audition but has a recommended playing level. Level 2 and 3 classes require an audition.
Instruments include: violin, viola, cello, and bass. Harp players are invited to join.
Marching Band [Fall]
Marching band fits a one semester program within 4 months. It runs from August (Band Camp before school starts) - November (Prior to Thanksgiving Break).
There are three major commitments for marching band: Must be enrolled in a band class (see band options above), mandatory weekday/weekend rehearsals, and mandatory competitions/performances. All of these items are tied to the student's grade in class. You can see a sample schedule of mandatory rehearsals here.
Students in band 2 and band 3 are REQUIRED to participate in marching band. Students who want to do band, but not the marching component should enroll in band 1. Students in band 1 may opt to participate in marching band or not.
Emerald High School will have a parade band AND a field show band.
10th-11th graders may receive PE credit for marching band.
Note about the Dublin High School Irish Guard program: Emerald High students who participated in the Irish Guard and are in the graduating high school class of 2026 and 2027 are eligible for Irish Guard until they graduate. Emerald High students who have not participated in the Irish Guard program must participate in the Emerald High Marching Band program. Students who want to participate in the Irish Guard at Dublin High School must submit a transfer request to DHS to participate in their programs.
Color Guard [Fall and Winter]
Color Guard is under the direction of: Mr. O.
Color Guard is a part of marching band (see details listed under the marching band section as all of that applies to color guard).
Color guard students will enroll in either band 2 and band 3 - depending on audition results. Band 2 will act as Junior Varsity Guard and Band 3 (HP) will act as Varsity Guard.
Notes
Mr. Tran fully intends to write the curriculum for color guard and make it into a class. He hopes to have this complete by the next school year.
Depending on the amount of students, the JV and Varsity may be combined.
Performing seasons:
Fall: August - November: Guard students will perform with the marching band.
Winter: November - April: Guard students will perform as a winter guard.
Spring: April - May: Guard students will be in pre-season training for the next school year.
Audition: April 18th 4:00-6:30 Emerald HS Student Union [Please also pencil in May 2nd 4:00-6:40 Emerald HS Student Union just incase we need a second date.]
How to enroll: Sign up for band 2. After auditions, we can easily change your class to band 3 if they are eligible for Varsity Guard since they all meet 7th period.
If you are interested in participating in Emerald HS' guard program, please join this Google Classroom.
Students who play a band instrument and want to participate in guard:
In the Fall, students must choose either guard or the instrument they want to play. What they select will be their priority for that season. On priority days, students will be learning from a coach or instructor. On non-priority days, students will be in sectionals. Students will be able to do both. The rehearsal schedule is pending.
For example, I play flute and participate in guard. I select guard as my primary. When my guard instructor is here, I will go with guard. When my guard instructor is not here, I will go with band while the rest of guard has individual practice time or sectionals.
In the winter: TBA schedule not created.
In the Spring, band would take priority and students would go to pre-season training as needed.
Guitar Courses
DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT WE WILL NOT OFFER GUITAR 1 OR GUITAR 2 IN THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR.
Sequence:
Guitar 1 - Beginning Guitar (CP)
Guitar 2 - Intermediate Orchestra (CP)Guitar offers instruction in the history and playing of acoustic/electric guitar and electric bass. Anyone, no matter what level, may join the string orchestra.
Instruments include: Guitar and bass.
Honors-Leveled Courses
Honors Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is an advanced course in wind and percussion music performance. Membership is contingent upon audition and is available only to students who have studied a wind or percussion instrument in middle or elementary school for a minimum of two years. The Wind Ensemble curriculum teaches technical, rhythmic, listening, translative, analytical, and performance skills through advanced literature in the band repertoire in a historical and multi-cultural context. This course provides development of the fundamentals in tone production, articulation, music reading and scales, as well as an opportunity to study and perform a variety of music. Performances are a logical outgrowth of the integrated instrumental music curriculum, which may include concerts, festivals, solos, ensembles, recitals and appearances within the community when appropriate. The Wind Ensemble combines with the Symphonic and Jazz Bands to form Marching Band, which during the fall semester appears at home varsity football games and competes in field show competitions. After school rehearsals and performances are required. Participation in all marching band events, including rehearsals, football games, and competitions is required regardless of choice of instrument. This class meets daily and may be repeated for credit.
Honors Jazz Ensemble
This select group of instrumentalists is our premiere ensemble in instrumental music performance. Membership in Jazz Ensemble is determined by audition and is available to saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, keyboard, bass and percussion players. This course provides opportunities for the performance of outstanding jazz literature and the study of jazz styles, history, and improvisation. This band performs in numerous concerts throughout the year. The Jazz Ensemble combines with the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band to form Marching Band, which during the fall semester appears at home varsity football games and competes in field show competitions. After school rehearsals and performances are required. Participation in all marching band events, including rehearsals, football games, and competitions is required regardless of choice of instrument. This class meets daily and may be repeated for credit.
Honors Chamber Orchestra
The Honors Chamber Orchestra is a group of advanced string musicians who are enrolled in the Chamber Orchestra class. These students earn a position in the Honors Chamber Orchestra through their spring audition. The Honors Chamber Orchestra forms several chamber ensembles such as duets, trios, quartets, and quintets throughout the duration of the school year and performs at the orchestra concerts as well as at privately scheduled performances. The Honors Chamber Orchestra often demonstrates their work at festivals throughout the state of California, performing for a panel of adjudicators for a rating. Members of the Honors Chamber Orchestra help select their own music, which is often at the highest level of difficulty and requires professional levels of preparation and musicality.
Course Level Designations
College Preparatory Class
The class curriculum has been approved by UC to qualify for a college preparatory designation and meet the course requirements for college admissions.
Advanced Class
A rigorous version of the college preparatory class with the same name.
Honors Class
The course will offer an increased depth and breadth in the given subject. Honors classes carry a weighted grade for graduation and some colleges and universities. Honors-weighted courses are designated with an (HP) in the course handbook and on the student’s transcript. For UC/CSU admissions, Honors courses are only weighted if taken in 10th, 11th or 12th grades.
Physical Education Requirements
Students are required to do 2 years of PE. All freshmen are required to take 9th-grade PE. For grades 10-11, students may take marching band for PE credit. This allows students to have an extra period during the school day. Please note the 9th and 12th graders do NOT receive PE exemption.