Classical Ensembles

West Campus High School Percussion Ensemble

West Campus drum line is part of the marching band for West Campus High School, located in Sacramento. The drum line was started in 2004 by band director John Ousley, and has been competing in fall and winter competitions for the past four years. Noah Clark is the lead percussion instructor, as well as Phillip Ginn and David Weiss as percussion and pit instructors, respectively. Due to the dedication of the West Campus students, their parents and the instruction staff, over those four years of competing, they have gone from being in last place consistently to currently being one of the best drum lines in their circuit.

Their current show is titled Winter Survival and is centered around a group of kids stranded in the middle of winter trying to make do under strenuous conditions. It was arranged by Noah Clark, David Weiss and Kevin Goings and features “Highwind Takes to the Skies” by Nobuo Uematsu, “Solid Towns” by Brilliant Red Lights, “Son et Lumière” and “Inertiatic ESP” by the Mars Volta and “The Zookeeper’s Boy” by Mew.

Davis Senior High School Baroque Ensemble

The Davis Senior High School Baroque Ensemble, conducted by DHS Orchestra director Angelo Moreno, is an orchestral ensemble that focuses on early music, baroque and early classical orchestral music. It is one of two audition orchestras at Davis Senior High. There are three orchestras at Davis High School: the DHS Symphony Orchestra, the DHS Chamber Orchestra and the DHS Baroque Ensemble.

This performance ensemble includes the following instrumentation: violin, viola, cello, bass, keyboard and harpsichord. The orchestra performs on baroque instruments, which includes string instruments converted to baroque style with gut strings and baroque-style bows. The DHSBE is for those students interested in the study and performance practices of early music including medieval, Renaissance, baroque and classical periods. The DHSBE meets daily for rehearsals and direct instruction and maintains an active performance schedule throughout the school year. The instruments and activities of this group are maintained and supported by the Davis Schools Orchestral Music Association.

Sacramento Country Day School Piano Trio

Since its formation, the award-winning Sacramento Country Day School Piano Trio has been praised for their consummate technique and vibrant musicality.

The SCDS Piano Trio is one of few school-sponsored chamber groups in the Sacramento Valley. Violinist Sarah Fleming and cellist Sarah Mancina are juniors, and pianist Richard Whitney is a sophomore. The individual members of the trio have performed professionally this year and received a superior award at the Golden Empire Music Festival sponsored by the California Music Educators Association at Sacramento State.

The SCDS Piano Trio has studied music with Dan Flanagan, Richard Andaya, Maurice Montgomery and Dan Ahlstrom.

Members of the SCDS Piano Trio also play in the Sacramento Youth Symphony, the CMEA Honor Orchestra and recently participated in the American String Teachers Association National Orchestra Festival.

Christian Brothers Honors Chorale

Honors Chorale is one of six ensembles at Christian Brothers High School and is an auditioned, advanced choir specializing in collegiate-level choral literature. They have been featured performers in the California Association for Music Education State Conference and have been performed in the Sacramento News and Review’s Jammies and A Call for Unity concerts. They are consistently invited to participate in festivals throughout California and will be competing in May in the Golden Empire Music Festival, one of the most prestigious competitions in the state. Alumni from this ensemble have gone on to pursue degrees in music at schools such as University of the Pacific, Cal Poly, CSU Sacramento, CSU Chico and Berklee College of Music.

Sacramento State Symphony Orchestra

The department of music has a long and impressive history of presenting quality performances to the city and region. By offering over 25 years of outstanding performances at the Festival of New American Music and by presenting concerts and recitals by a distinguished faculty and excellent performing groups, the department has assumed a leadership role in the musical life of California.

All Concerto Soloist winners at the Evening of Classical Music event on March 6, 2010, at the Mondavi Center, will be accompanied by the Sacramento State Symphony Orchestra.