Help ACHS Music accommodate 3 jazz bands
Interest in the Adolfo Camarillo High School Jazz Bands has grown so much that the program will be sporting three full jazz big bands and several jazz combos with 64 students enrolled in the program this spring.
In order to do this, the program will need to purchase additional equipment, according to program director Daniel Cook.
To help fund this need, Cook has started a Donor's Choose campaign to raise money for much-needed equipment to accommodate the surge in enrollment. Those who would like to participate in the Donors Choose campaign can do so at http://bit.ly/2j3KWCx or visit DonorsChoose.org and search for Adolfo Camarillo High School.
"Due to the inability to schedule jazz band during the school day, the three jazz bands will rehearse during Zero Period (before school) and 7th Period (after school), meaning there will always be two jazz bands rehearsing at any given time without the proper equipment to accommodate this currently," Cook said. "The school has never had three Jazz big bands before."
The Music Department serves over 180 students from three cities across more than a dozen different performing ensembles, he said. Students are active members of the community and participate in several community performances and outreach, "while also remain model citizens and academics on campus," he said. The ensembles travel more than 100 miles in either direction for festivals and competitions. "The music ensembles at are not only ambassadors of our campus, but of our entire community," Cook said.
The program is largely funded by the ACHS Music Boosters, which has done a a tremendous job supporting the growth along with the school administration, according to Cook, but growth is outdistancing projections and equipment.
The department added a String Orchestra for the first time this year with 21 students enrolled, and Winter Drumline has grown nearly 100 percent over a four-year span, Cook said."
The students are extremely dedicated and excited for this new growth and are eager to bring their program into the 21st century of learning in music," he said.
Cook said equipment purchased through this campaign also will be used by Marching Band and Winter Drumline..