Band

Band

Overview

Under the direction of Michael Dabach, approximately 350 Lindero students, ranging in ability from the beginner to the more advanced third year musician, participate in band offerings. The following band groups are offered:

• BEGINNING BAND (two sections of approximately 60 students each): Beginning Band is for students with no previous, or less than one academic year of experience with band instruments: woodwinds, percussion, and brass (ability to play piano not applicable). Open to all grade levels.
• COUGAR BAND (one section of approximately 85 students): Cougar Band is an intermediate level group for students receiving at least 85% on their final skills test and recommendation of the director. Purchase of a band shirt and participation in three scheduled evening performances are course requirements. Students may enroll in Cougar Band for more than one year.
• CONCERT BAND (two sections of 50 students): Concert Band is for the advanced middle school musician. Students perform music above the level of the Cougar Band. Class size is limited and governed by appropriate instrumentation. Acceptance into Concert Band is based on receiving 90% on final skills test and recommendation of the director. Purchase of a uniform and participation in several scheduled evening performances are course requirements.
• JAZZ BANDS (two select groups): Students participate in Jazz Band "A" as their elective course during the school day. Students (30) are selected by the band director by audition. The beginning jazz band (Jazz Band "B"), comprised of approximately 30 students from band classes, meets three mornings a week before school. Students must audition for Jazz Band "B."
• WOODWIND ENSEMBLE (one select group): Students participate in Woodwind Ensemble as a lunchtime activity one day a week and are accepted by audition only.
• BRASS ENSEMBLE (one select group): Students participate in Brass Ensemble as a lunchtime activity one day a week and are accepted by audition only.
• PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (one to two groups by demand): Students participate in Percussion Ensemble as a lunchtime activity one day a week. All students may join the ensemble and are grouped according to ability.

Faculty

Woodwind Specialist: Brian Clements, tenor, is an educator, composer, and freelance woodwind performer based in the Thousand Oaks area.  He earned a Jazz Performance degree from University of the Arts in Philadelphia as well as a Master of Arts degree and teaching credential.  Brian is a founding member and lead saxophonist in the Urban Renewal project, a modern 12-piece big band with guest vocalists and emcees out of Los Angeles, blending the boundaries of traditional genres into a danceable mix of styles from pop, rock, and hip-hop to jazz and reggae.  The Urban Renewal project has performed in numerous cities on both coasts, released three albums, and has a busy 2016 schedule.  In addition to his 30+ private students, Brian is the woodwind specialist for LCMS.

Percussion Specialist: John Celello has been teaching drums and percussion in Southern California for over 45 years. John was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. He studied music at California State Northridge, and studied with well known drummers and percussionists such as Henry Bellson, Terry Bozzio, and Jerry Steinholtz. John has toured throughout North America and Europe, playing varying musical styles from jazz and Latin to heavy metal. John has worked with the band directors and taught students in the Las Virgenes School District and at private schools for over 30 years, and is proud to have shared in the success of these music programs, and in particular, the Lindero Canyon Middle School Band program.

Brass Specialist: