General Music
General music is taught by credentialed music teacher to all 4th graders, 30 minutes once per week. DHS offers an "Essentials of Music" class, which has components of music appreciation. Some schools offer the BRAVO Program, funded by site PTA/PTO groups. Some schools have run a music program called Link Up. This May 29, 2012 Davis Enterprise article describes this program at North Davis Elementary.
DHS offers AP Music Theory.
Music Performance
The best known part of the school music program are the music performance classes and groups. This table summarizes the performance music program in the Davis Joint Unified School District. Note that school instruments are provided for students who need them in order to participate.
Orchestra | Band | Choir | |
Elementary | Strings program starts in 5th grade, 30 minutes once/week, pull-out, choice of violin, viola, & cello. String bass starts in 5th or 6th grade. Students are placed in beginning, intermediate, or advanced groups, depending on level of proficiency. Parent attendance at Sept. meeting is required for participation of students new to the program. Sixth graders may participate in All-city Elementary Orchestra with at least 1 year of playing experience. | Begins in 5th grade, 30 minutes once/week, pull-out, choice of flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, alto sax, and percussion. Students are placed into groups based on experience & proficiency. Parent attendance at Sept. meeting is required for participation of students new to the program. Sixth graders may participate in All-city Elementary Band with 1 year of playing experience. | Maybe available at some sites, before or after school; support stipends funded by the Davis School Arts Foundation (DSAF) and other funding agencies. |
Junior high | A 7th grade intermediate orchestra, and 8th/9th advanced orchestra. Open to students with at least one year prior experience. | Each campus has at least two concert band classes, and a jazz band. Open to students with at least one year prior experience. Jazz band by teacher’s consent. | Each campus has at least one choir, two if enrollment is high enough. Open to students with no prior experience required. |
High school | By audition: Baroque Ensemble & Symphony Orchestra. Non-audition: Chamber Orchestra with prior experience. See DHS Orchestra history. |
By audition: Symphonic Band & Jazz Band. Non-audition: Concert Band with prior experience.
High school offers a regular mariachi class; their group is called, Mariachi del Valle. Participation requires previous musical experience and the instructor's permission. |
By audition: Jazz Choir, Madrigals & All-Treble Choir. Non-audition: Concert choir, no prior experience required. Musical theater productions are a collaboration between the Drama Dept. and the Jazz Choir director. |
Reference Links
School Booster Organization
- Davis Schools Orchestral Music Association (DSOMA) -- more directly serves the Emerson, Da Vinci, Harper orchestra programs
- DHS Band Boosters
- DHS-Holmes Orchestra Boosters
- DHS Madrigal Choir
- DHS Jazz Choir
- All Treble Choir (ATC)
- Harper JH Band Boosters (site has not been updated in several years)
- Davis School Arts Foundation (DSAF) — provides grant funding to various aspects of the school music program, including elementary school choirs
School music teachers, current and retired
- Madeline Biehler
- Linda Birse
- Ken Bower
- Don Brewer
- Greg Brucker
- Richard M. Brunelle
- Kim Cole
- Lydia Cooley
- Walter Cothary
- Ariel Deem
- John Draper
- Jeff Dupertuis
- Karen Gardias
- Bob Gonzalez
- Luana Hernandez
- Rachel Kessler
- Frederick Lange
- Val Luck
- Angelo Moreno
- Margaret Neu
- Clyde Quick
- Nancy Sanchez
- Tom Slabaugh
- Veronica Tonus
- Sherie Wall
- Dorothy L. West
- Bill Zinn
Other Resources
There are a number of local and area music programs and resources that exist outside the school music program. Private music teachers can help students.
Choir groups
- Davis Children's Chorale
- Davis Community Chorale
- DMTC — Davis Musical Theatre Company provides opportunities for children, youth, and adult community musical theater
Band groups
Celia Cottle's jazz program, including groups such as Sax by Popular Demand, Jazz Cats, and Jazzmatazz. For further information, you can contact Celia at jstreetjazzcats@gmail.com or (530) 756-4377
- Sacramento Youth Band
- Sacramento Youth Symphony also offers symphonic band and wind ensemble opportunities
- Davis Youth Flute Choir
- Davis Brass Ensemble — an adult/community group
- Rock Band University — rock music
Orchestra groups
- Sacramento Youth Symphony
- Camellia Juniors Orchestra
- UCD Symphony Orchestra
- Mariachi Puente — contact Hiram Jackson at hsjackson@aol.com