|
nTyme Music Programs
The North Torrance Youth Musicians Ensemble supports the following
music programs:
North Torrance
Youth Chamber Orchestra (NTYCO)
The North Torrance Youth Chamber Orchestra (NTYCO) made its debut during the 2008-2009 season. Most of the students who
participate in this group are also involved in their middle and high school music programs. Many of the students study
privately with some of the finest teachers in the South Bay. They have also participated in a variety of outstanding music
associations in the greater Los Angeles & Orange County areas, such as the SCSBOA All State Honor Orchestra and Band.
The group performs music at the most difficult high school level as well as classical standards performed by professional
symphonies. In April 2011, NTYCO competed in the Heritage Music Festival competition in San Francisco where they
received “Gold” ratings for their performance in the High School Band, Strings and Orchestra Divisions. This group is led by our
Director, Mr. Glen Kamida and prominent Southern California music educator and administrator, Mr. Leonard Narumi.
Participation in this group is by audition only.
 North Torrance
Youth Symphony Orchestra (NTYSO)
The North Torrance Youth Symphony Orchestra (NTySO), led by Mr. Ramos, has members ranging from elementary to middle school age students.
Members of NTySO are selected through a challenging audition process. Currently there are over 50 students participating in weekly rehearsals
and performances. The instrumentation of this group includes traditional strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion. NTySO was the first
ensemble created by nTyme and originally started out as an after school program. Performance opportunities were presented to our
Music Director for NTySO and through their success, nTyme was born. In the spring time, NTySO typically competes in the
Forum Music Festival Judges’ Invitational competition in Southern California. They have gone on to receive many accolades,
including First & Second Place finishes and “Silver” & “Gold” ratings for their performances in the Middle School Orchestra Division.
Participation in this group is by audition only. For information on the audition process, please check our website.
 North
Torrance Jazz Band
This ensemble of musicians play a more upbeat jazz, swing, and Top 40 list of songs. Because of the higher difficulty of
music played, its membership is by invitation only. All members of this group have been hand-selected by the Director.
They perform at many select engagements such as the Japanese Cultural Institute (JCI) summer festival, Gardena Buddhist Church,
and many other events that nTyme is called upon during the season. They have played as far away as San Gabriel at the request of
the Gedatsu Church for the Moon Festival. Their style of music always draws a crowd and their musicianship and style have pleased
many audiences. If you or your child is interested in being considered for the Jazz Band, please see the Director for
opportunities to be reviewed.
 Reed Rush Clarinet Choir
Reed Rush is a special ensemble of Clarinet musicians. They perform at special community events like at local hospitals or
churches during the holiday season. These very special clarinet musicians are selected to participate in this group from the
other winds ensembles within nTyme. This group plays a variety of chamber music as well as jazz and popular music selected by
the Director, who is himself a skilled and seasoned clarinet musician. Obviously, these students are all very close to the
director’s heart because of their kinship in musical instrument selection. Membership in this group is by invitation only.
The student must show proficiency on the clarinet and in reading sheet music. It is open to all types of clarinets from the
standard B-flat instrument to alto and bass clarinets. If your student is interested in performing with “Reed Rush”, please
contact the Director for additional information. See Rehearsal Schedule for days and times of rehearsals.
 North Torrance Strings N Things
Musicians playing at least one string and one wind instrument make up this very fluid and versatile group. In general, these musicians have
been playing for a number of years. Many of them started with the string instrument and because of need or necessity, picked up
a secondary wind instrument to help fill the other ensembles. These performers are all seasoned and have been with nTyme music programs for
most of their music careers. It is common to see these musicians switching instruments in the midst of a performance only to go back to
their original instrument to finish up. Membership in this group is not open to all students; however, it is not exclusive either.
If your student has interest in this group and can proficiently play both a string and wind instrument please contact the Director for more
information.
 Advanced Strings
The North Torrance Youth String Orchestra (Advanced Strings) is comprised of orchestral string instruments only.
These are the advanced string musicians who have worked their way up through the program. They have likely been
playing for at least two years and have demonstrated technical proficiency as well as artistic proficiency with their instruments.
Many of these students have been committed to their music and have the desire to perform. The majority of these students are
also participants in the Zero Period strings class held at Casimir and Magruder Middle Schools. These students voluntarily attend
class beginning at 7:00 a.m. If you have a student who has demonstrated proficiency with a string instrument, please contact
the director for qualifications and how to enroll in the zero period class at Casimir or Magruder Middle School. To participate in the
Advanced Strings group, students must be able to read music and be able to play requisite level of music at any given time during rehearsals.
Please see the Director for more information.
Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Band
(Wind Ensembles)
Beginning Band
The Beginning Wind Ensemble offers a wide variety of concert band instrumentation. There are brass instruments,
woodwinds, and percussion. This class is available to children of all ages just beginning on their wind or
percussion instrument. The beginners band class meets weekly to learn the basics of their wind instruments.
The parents will be instructed on which instruments are best for their children. In this group, the students have
lots of fun but work hard too. They learn the basic musical techniques and learn to read music. For the students
who are interested in playing a wind instrument or would like to learn and play percussion, this is the group.
Please see the Director for additional information.
Intermediate Band
This is the next step in the journey of our young musicians. In this course the focus becomes mastery of individual
music arrangements. There is an emphasis on performance and this group begins to work on rehearsal skills,
becoming more independent musicians, and growing and developing on their own instrument. Hand position, posture,
and delivery are all a part of advancing their musicianship. This group tackles more difficult musical pieces all the
while still maintaining the fun element of being a performer and a musician. To participate in the Intermediate Wind
Ensemble the student must have a working knowledge of reading sheet music as well as basic technical skills on their
instrument. Please see the director for more information.
Advanced Band
This group consists of skilled advanced players. The main focus of the Advanced Wind Ensemble is concert band music.
They prepare and perform at many of our annual events, whether at Marshall’s Music or at the North Area Music Festival.
In early 2009, the combined Intermediate and Advanced Wind Ensemble participated in the “Concert at the Park” at Knotts
Berry Farm and the Forum Music Festival. In addition to the Director, we’ve had a variety of students participate as
student conductors. They also help to instruct and improve the musicianship of the students participating in this group.
Membership in this group is open to all students that have likely played their instrument(s) for 1 to 2 years and who
have the desire and commitment to improve their skills. Please see the Director for additional information.
Beginning/Intermediate Strings
Beginning Strings
The beginner’s class meets weekly to learn the basics of their string instruments. Currently, there are violins, violas, celli,
and bass in this group. This class is available to children of all ages who are ready to partake in a class setting.
This is also an introduction to music for the parents. The parents will be instructed on which instruments are best for their children.
They will also be taught how to find the correct size of instrument for their child. In this group there is a ton of fun to be had and
a whole lot of hard work that is put into learning the basic musical techniques and reading music. Children will learn to enjoy and have
fun while they master their instruments. Many of the children from the Mommy/Daddy “N” Me class move up into this group as well as children
who are just beginning to have an interest in music.
Intermediate Strings
The intermediates class is the next step in the journey of our young
musicians. In this course the focus becomes mastery of individual music
arrangements. There is an emphasis on performance as this group begins to
work on perfecting not only playing the music but the proper techniques
for producing sound out of their instrument. Bowing, hand position,
posture, and delivery are all a part of advancing their musicianship. This
group tackles more difficult musical pieces all the while still
maintaining the fun element of being a performer and a musician.
 Mommy/Daddy & Me
This is where it all begins. Parents and their toddler children have an
opportunity to begin their musical journey. This class is set up to get the children
exposed to the violin and to begin learning the basics of handling the instrument.
Over the last few years, many of our current students have graduated from the Mommy/Daddy “N” Me program
to enter into our more advanced classes and ensembles. This class gives children an early exposure and
appreciation for music. It’s all about fun and learning between parents and children.
This program is available to anyone who is interested.
Please inquire with the Director for available days and times.
 Endpin Ensemble
The Endpin Ensemble is a unique ensemble for cello and string bass players. It made its debut at the 2009 “Spring Fling”
Concert at the James Armstrong Theatre in Torrance. A variety of styles of music will be rehearsed and performed.
The ensemble is directed by recent University of California, Irvine cello performance graduate and NTySO Director,
Mr. Heriberto Ramos, who will provide all qualified cellists and bass students an opportunity to be the “star” of the show
instead of just providing the “filler” as they typically do for a string quartet or string orchestra. All members of the
ensemble must get the approval of Maestro Ramos to participate. See Rehearsal Schedule for days and times of rehearsal.
 Flute Choir
Flute Choir is a special ensemble for those who play flute and/or piccolo. Much like its compatriot group, Reed Rush,
the members of this group are selected to participate in this group from the following the other nTyme ensembles:
Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Community Orchestra. A variety of styles and music will be
taught including classical, jazz and popular music. If your child is interested in performing with this ensemble,
please contact the Director. See the Rehearsal Schedule for days and times of rehearsal.
 Community Orchestra
The Community Orchestra, which combines all school age students and adults, provides a unique performance opportunity for
those looking to play in a full symphony orchestra. All aspiring elementary, middle, or high school string, woodwind,
brass, or percussion students are welcome; however, they are required to audition before attending any rehearsal.
Adults seeking to perform in this challenging but fun ensemble need not audition; however, they must be familiar
with their orchestral instrument and be able to read music. Our Community Orchestra Music Director is an experienced
educator, conductor, and performer, whose groups have received critical acclaim. The Community Orchestra made its debut
in June 2010 at the “Spring Into Summer” Concert at the Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College and continues to perform
at every spring concert.
|
|
|
