Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! In fact, most of our students are involved in sports or other co-curricular activities and it is something that we encourage. However, no matter what activities you pursue, you must keep an accurate schedule and iron out any conflicts that may arise. We have a systematic approach to help you with this, but it is up to you to keep your schedule straight, for the good of the band and for the good of your other activities. With a little give and take, most things work out just fine. We have students involved in every sport on campus. Additionally, any college or university in the country will attest to the fact that the busiest students are the most successful students. Again, structure and discipline work!

No! This is perhaps the greatest misconception of incoming students and parents. Band is a commitment but, just like anything of worth, it does not prevent you from participating in other school classes, activities, and co-curriculars. The time commitment is limited to class, home practice, and performances. Furthermore, our organization on campus has a great success rate in everything from GPA to college placement. 

We have most of our out-of-the-regular-school-day events during the fall marching band season, which runs from September through December. These events are built into the curriculum and are considered “homework”, similar to any other class. We are a non-competitive marching band and operate under the same basic structure as most high schools. However, we do spend significantly LESS time outside of the school day than other schools. Therefore, we expect maximum effort and commitment to our schedule, with conflicts to be worked out as specified.

Band Camp is held two weeks prior to the first week of school. During band camp, we try to learn a large portion of the pre-game show. We work hard during this time and have as much fun as we dare! It is also a great social time for the band. Band Camp is a mandatory part of the class curriculum.

Performances at home football games occur on Friday or Saturday evenings. The Marching Band season concludes in December (depending on Varsity football). We begin Concert Band concurrent with Marching Band in late September. In January we switch to Concert Band for the remainder of the school year.

Yes. Marching Band is a “unit” in our curriculum, just as all other classes have curriculum that is divided into units throughout the school year (i.e. studying Shakespeare in English). Marching Band is part of our music curriculum and our total music experience at De La Salle. All band students participate in Marching Band during the first semester. It is a tool we use to stress the fundamentals of music. It also teaches teamwork, pride, long and short-term goal setting, personal management skills, self-confidence, leadership, and many other invaluable lessons and skills. At the same time, it is an essential part of the spirit of our school.

These skills that are highly sought after in college applications and job applications. Being a part of this high caliber group makes a significant statement toward your future. Students who play a double-reed instrument will be encouraged to be part of the Marching Band on another instrument: part of the front ensemble or percussion. Please speak to our Band Director, Mr. Colón,  about your options.

Absolutely. Band students definitely stand out. In fact, most college admissions departments seek out music students, as they recognize all that is involved in the academic discipline. Our graduates are attending some of the top universities and colleges in the country, and every year we have graduates earning scholarships based on their music participation and academic merit.

Yes! The band program takes a significant tour every 3-4 years, with a “mini-tour” on the off years. The Marching Band travels to one overnight football game in the fall, which gives us a great opportunity to bond with each other and meet students from high schools throughout California.

Our Jazz Band is a smaller-instrumental ensemble that is selected by audition. In Jazz, students study and perform traditional and contemporary jazz music written for “big band.” They also get to perform concerts at our school, as well as festivals held throughout the Bay Area during the academic year. Students who wish to participate in Jazz Band must audition for our Band Director, Mr. Colón. If admitted into Jazz Band, students must also be concurrently enrolled in Concert/Marching Band class (except if you play bass, piano, or guitar).

Band is a group performance class. Performance situations can’t be recreated around each individual student. These growth experiences occur infrequently and are very important to the development of the student. Since we depend on each other so much, it is a great loss to miss any performance. As such, students are required to participate in all performances. The contribution of each student is critical and irreplaceable. You will receive a performance schedule well in advance. If changes occur in the schedule, you will be notified immediately.

We highly recommend that our students take private lessons or group lessons. Students who truly excel academically are usually involved with private lessons. In fact, most successful music programs typically have a large percentage of their students studying privately. The frequency of lessons varies greatly. Some students take private lessons weekly, some every other week, etc. It is not necessary to study with the most expensive private lesson teacher in the area! We have a great number of advanced college students teaching our students and doing a superb job. Please email Mr. Colón if you need a recommendation or a list of potential private teachers in the area. Students who do not study privately are highly encouraged to seek extra help as often as needed.

We try to help with larger, more expensive instruments. Tubas (marching and concert), Euphoniums (Baritones), percussion, are some of the instruments that we assist with. However, we do encourage students to purchase a good quality instrument for concert performances. Often students will play these instruments for the rest of their lives in one capacity or another: community groups, churches, etc. It is worth owning a good instrument.

Yes, we provide just about everything uniform related.

All ensembles have several concert performances throughout the year, as well as community performances. Our performance calendar is typically ready the first week of September.

French horns, low brass (tuba, trombone, euphonium/baritone), and low reeds (bassoon, bass clarinet) are typically our biggest areas of need. Please speak to our Band Director, Mr. Colón, prior to making this decision for an embouchure test to make sure it will be a positive change. We highly recommend that students who switch instruments also take private lessons or group lessons.

The most important thing is to choose an instrument you love. However choosing a “rarer” instrument will increase your chance of auditioning for All-State, County Honor Band, etc.

The most important thing parents can do to fully support their student is to provide the ingredients for success in all academic endeavors. In music, some of these are private lessons, good instruments, praise and encouragement, patient ears, and most importantly, attendance at all events and performances. The band program relies heavily on parent volunteers for many things. Volunteering when available is greatly appreciated. In general, band students are a fun and inspirational group of young people. Our volunteer parents are all but guaranteed to have a wonderful time volunteering with our students, and many oftentimes become great friends!