Music
Students find their voice, build musicianship, and perform together in bands, choirs, and orchestras while exploring classical, jazz, and contemporary music.
Bands & Instrumental Music
San Marin’s instrumental music program gives students opportunities to perform in concert, jazz, orchestra, and contemporary music settings. From Concert Band and String Orchestra to Jazz Band and Rock Band, students develop technique, musicianship, collaboration, and confidence through rehearsals, concerts, festivals, and community events.
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Grades 9–12
Previous musical experience or teacher approval required
Year-long course • Meets UC/CSU Visual & Performing Arts requirementBand is open to students in grades 9–12 with previous musical experience or teacher approval. Students rehearse regularly and perform music from a wide range of historical periods and styles throughout the school year.
Instruction emphasizes concert band performance through listening, rehearsal, and live performance. Students develop instrumental technique, sight-reading, ear training, music-reading skills, and ensemble musicianship while also having opportunities to perform in small ensembles and as soloists.
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Grades 9–12
Audition and acceptance by director required
2.0 GPA or higher required
Year-long course • Meets UC/CSU Visual & Performing Arts requirementJazz Band is open to students in grades 9–12 by audition. The ensemble rehearses regularly and performs a wide range of jazz styles throughout the year.
Students study jazz as a uniquely American musical genre through listening, performance, and analysis. Instruction includes improvisation and, for interested students, composition. Students are expected to participate in multiple concerts and festivals throughout the year.
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Grades 10–12
Audition and acceptance by director required
2.0 GPA or higher required
Year-long course • UC/CSU approval pendingJazz Band Combo / Ensemble is designed for advanced students who want to deepen their understanding of jazz performance and theory.
Coursework includes more rigorous assignments, required improvisation, transcription, advanced chord notation, harmonic analysis, and continued performance experience. Students build advanced musicianship while contributing to a high-level jazz ensemble.
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Grades 9–12
Previous musical experience or teacher approval required
Year-long course • Meets UC/CSU Visual & Performing Arts requirementString Orchestra is designed for string players, including violin, viola, cello, and acoustic bass, who want to explore chamber-style performance.
Students develop ensemble skills, musicianship, and performance confidence while preparing for multiple concerts throughout the year.
Schedule note: String Orchestra meets after school for one hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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Contemporary Music Performance
Grades 9–12
Previous musical experience or teacher approval required
Year-long course • Meets UC/CSU Visual & Performing Arts requirementRock Band is designed for students who want to study and perform music in a small-group setting. The course is open to instrumentalists and vocalists, including guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and voice.
Students rehearse in ensembles and perform music from a variety of rock styles and historical periods. Performances take place throughout the year.
Schedule note: Rock Band meets after school for 1.5 hours on Mondays.
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Grades 9–12
Advanced musical experience or teacher approval required
Production-based ensemble • Participation varies by musical productionPit Orchestra gives student musicians the opportunity to perform live music for San Marin’s musical theater productions. Unlike many high school musicals that use recorded tracks, San Marin productions are supported by a live student orchestra, creating a richer and more dynamic experience for the cast, crew, and audience.
Students learn what it means to play as part of a live production team, following a conductor, supporting singers on stage, adapting in real time, and performing with focus, precision, and teamwork.
Schedule note: Pit Orchestra rehearsals are scheduled around each musical production and may include evening, weekend, and tech week rehearsals.
Choirs & Vocal Music
San Marin’s vocal music program gives students opportunities to grow as singers, performers, and ensemble members through concert choir and jazz choir experiences. Students build vocal technique, musical expression, collaboration, and confidence while preparing for concerts, festivals, community performances, and special events throughout the year.
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Grades 9–12
No prerequisite required
Year-long course • Meets UC/CSU Visual & Performing Arts requirementConcert Choir is open to all students in grades 9–12. Students rehearse daily and perform music from all time periods and styles for audiences throughout the school year.
The course gives each student the opportunity to participate in the creation of art through choral music. Instruction focuses on vocal technique, sight-singing, melodic dictation, ear training, and music reading. Students also have opportunities to sing in small groups and perform solos.
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Grades 10–12
Recommended for returning choir students
Year-long course • Meets UC/CSU Visual & Performing Arts requirementConcert Choir is open to all students who want to continue developing their voice, musicianship, and confidence through choral music. Students rehearse regularly and perform music from a variety of time periods and styles for audiences throughout the school year.
Instruction builds on foundational vocal technique, sight-singing, melodic dictation, ear training, and music reading. Students continue to grow as ensemble members while also having opportunities to sing in small groups and perform solos.
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Grades 9–12
Teacher approval or audition may be required
Year-long course • Meets UC/CSU Visual & Performing Arts requirementJazz Choir is designed for students who want to develop their vocal technique, musicianship, and performance skills through jazz and contemporary vocal styles. Students rehearse regularly and perform throughout the school year, building confidence as singers and ensemble members.
Instruction may include vocal technique, harmony, sight-singing, ear training, music reading, improvisation, and stylistic interpretation. Students explore jazz as a uniquely American musical genre while developing the skills needed to perform in small groups, ensembles, and solo settings.
“My hope for every choir student is simple: to read, sing, and perform music in many styles and genres; to make great friends and become more self-confident; and to make many happy memories with other music department students.”
Find your Place
Whether you sing, play, act, build, design, or want to try something new, there’s a place for you here.
No experience necessary!