University Preparatory Academy Band

Welcome to the UPA band Program

We welcome all students and parents to our program. The goal of the UPA Golden Eagles Band is to provide a purposeful and successful learning environment for our students. UPA Bands participate in 4 concerts during the school year on campus, and often have additional performance opportunities for our Advanced Band and Intermediate Band. The UPA Band department can be greatly enhanced with parental involvement, and we welcome your support and participation.

Band Director: Jemal Ramirez jramirez@upatoday.com

About

The Golden Eagles Band consists primarily of students from the Advanced Band and will include Intermediate Band students as needed for local civic non-competitive performances.

UPA Golden Eagles Band

The Golden Eagles Band consists of advanced and intermediate band students, who combine efforts to give the band a fuller sound, and also allows the students to have more performance opportunities. When possible, we try to arrange off-campus performances like trips to Disneyland, Great America, or band festivals. Some extra costs and practice time after school is involved for special events.

Advanced Band (Symphonic Band)

The Advanced Band (Symphonic Band) is the main focus of the music program at UPA and is made up of, primarily high school students. This ensemble is open to highly qualified middle school students, by audition only. This ensemble works on high quality concert band literature and high quality Americana music (Jazz music and music from the Golden Age of Film-making). This ensemble travels, performs and competes at local, regional and national festivals and concerts. It is highly recommended that students in symphonic band consider studying music privately with a master of their chosen instrument.

Intermediate Band (Concert Band)

The Intermediate Band (Concert Band) works on high quality concert band literature and performs at 4 concerts given at the school, annually. In addition, the Intermediate Band performs at Disneyland every other year and consists primarily of middle school and early high school students who have at least two years of musical training in a school band class. It is highly recommended that students in concert band consider studying privately with a master of their chosen instrument.

Beginning Band

The Beginning Band is designed for the student who has little to no musical training on any instrument, especially a band instrument. If you are a transfer student to UPA and have had one complete year of band which met at least 3 times a week, it is recommended that you audition for the intermediate band. The Beginning Band performs at three of the four concerts at UPA (December, March and May).

Jazz Band & Small Ensembles

There are opportunities throughout the year for students to participate in smaller ensemble groups for performances, and some extra practice time is needed after school. Students in Jazz Band meet after school and learn how to play the jazz style, including improvisation and instrument solos. When we have Marching Band, there will be marching practice, and can include Drumline and Colorguard.

UPA Band Boosters

UPA Band Boosters is a volunteer, parent-run committee that supports the UPA Band Program. Boosters contributes to the UPA band overall success by helping with concerts and events, driving carpools and/or chaperoning for events off-campus, organizing fundraisers and donations, communicating with parents, taking pictures, and other activities. We strongly encourage parent involvement, which makes it possible to give students a better band experience and more performance opportunities.

Band Boosters Contact: May Thao mnxthao@hotmail.com