Ensembles

This is where it all begins. Parents and their toddler children have an opportunity to begin their musical journey together. This class is set up to introduce children to the violin and to begin learning the basics of handling the instrument with their parent. 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 appreciation for music. It’s all about fun and learning between parents and children.

The beginning strings class meets weekly to learn the basics of the violin, viola, cello and bass. 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. 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 techniques and reading music. Children will learn to enjoy music 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.

This is the next step in the journey of our young string musicians. In this weekly 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. Bowing, hand position, posture, and delivery are all a part of advancing each student’s musicianship. This group tackles more difficult musical pieces while still maintaining the fun element of being a performer and a musician. To participate in the Intermediate Strings group the student must have a working knowledge of reading sheet music, the basic technical skills of their instrument and Director approval.

This group meets weekly and is comprised of orchestral string instruments only. These are advanced string musicians who have worked their way up through the program, as well as new students who have a demonstrated the necessary capability for the class. They prepare and perform at most of our annual concerts and have participated in music festivals in Southern California. These students 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 are committed to their music and have the desire to perform. To participate in the Advanced Strings group, students must be able to read music, be able to play the requisite level of music at any given time during rehearsals and have Director approval.

The Endpin Ensemble is a unique ensemble for cello and string bass players. A variety of styles of music are rehearsed and performed. The ensemble is directed by University of California, Irvine cello performance graduate and nTyme Assistant 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 obtain the approval of Maestro Ramos to participate. Typically, the Endpin Ensemble rehearses on Saturday afternoons.

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 class meets weekly to learn the basics of wind and percussion instruments. Parents will be instructed on which instruments are best for their children. In this group, the students have a lot of fun but work hard too. They learn 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.

This is the next step in the journey of our young band musicians. In this weekly 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 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 basic technical skills on their instrument Director approval.

This group consists of skilled advanced wind and percussion players. The main focus of the Advanced Wind Ensemble is concert band music. They prepare and perform at many of our annual events. In the past, 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 high school students participate as student conductors. They also help to instruct and improve the musicianship of the younger students participating in this group. These students 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 are committed to their music and have the desire to perform. To participate in the Advanced Band group, students must be able to read music, be able to play the requisite level of music at any given time during rehearsals and have Director approval.

Flute Choir is a special ensemble for those who play flute and/or piccolo. Members of this group are selected to participate in this group from Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Community Orchestra. A variety of styles and music are taught including classical, jazz and popular music. All members of the ensemble must obtain the approval of the Director to participate. If your child is interested in performing with this ensemble, please contact the Director.

The Brass Ensemble premiered at the Garden Buddhist Church Spring Fujimatsuri Festival in May 2012. They have gone on to perform at the Armstrong and at our annual golf tournament. Aside from normal rehearsals, the ensemble will function as a workshop for players of all ages. These workshops will serve to improve playing technique, sight-reading, and overall musicianship. Brass Ensemble includes trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn and baritone players. The structure of the group is subject to change and will be flexible to serve the needs of the players within the group. For interest in joining the Brass Ensemble, please contact the Director.

Reed Rush is a special ensemble of Clarinet musicians formed by Mr. Glen Kamida, who is himself a skilled and seasoned clarinetist. Previous performances by Reed Rush included special community events and local hospitals or churches during the holiday season where they played a variety of chamber music as well as jazz and popular music selected by the Director. New this year, Reed Rush rehearsals will function as a workshop for players of all ages. The student must be able to play the clarinet and read sheet music. It is open to all types of clarinet students, for those who play the standard B-flat instrument to alto and bass clarinets. If your student is interested in joining Reed Rush, please contact the Director for additional information.

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 or band instrument and, because of need or necessity, picked up a secondary band or string 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. Students must be able to proficiently play both a string and wind instrument to participate.

This ensemble of musicians plays an upbeat style jazz, swing, and Top 40 songs. Because of the level of music played, members must be capable of reading and playing music on their jazz instrument; trumpet, trombone, saxophone, keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums. The Jazz Band has performed at many community events, such as the Daily Breeze Senior Expo, the Japanese Cultural Institute (JCI) summer festival, Gardena Buddhist Church Fujimatsuri, and many other events where nTyme is called upon during the season. They have even played as far away as San Gabriel for the Gedatsu Church 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 the Jazz Band, please contact the Director.

The North Torrance Youth Symphony Orchestra (NTySO) is led by Mr. Leonard Narumi, the former Visual and Performing Arts Administrator for the Montebello Unified School District. The group is comprised of elementary and middle school students, with members selected through a challenging audition process. Currently there are approximately 40 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 back in 2008. 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 in Southern California. They have gone on to receive many accolades, including First & Second Place finishes and Gold and Silver ratings for their performances in the Middle School Orchestra Division at the Forum Music Festival and Forum Music Judges’ Invitational. Participation in this group is by audition only. For information on the audition process, please check our website or speak with an nTyme representative.

The Community Orchestra, which combines all school age students and adults, including nTyme alumni, provides a unique performance opportunity for those looking to play in full 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 group need not audition; however, they must be familiar with their orchestral instrument, be able to read music and demonstrate they meet these requirements as determined by the Director. The Community Orchestra regularly performs at our Winter and Spring Concerts and collaborates with NTYCO at festivals.

This group consists of advanced middle and high school musicians. Many of the students study privately with some of the finest teachers in the South Bay, and some have also participated in a variety of other well-known music associations in the greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas, such as the SCSBOA All State Honor Orchestra and Band, Asia America Youth Orchestra, Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Olympia Orchestra. Many of the students in this group have also earned individual music achievement awards. The group performs music at the most difficult high school level as well as classical standards performed by professional symphonies. NTYCO has competed in the Heritage Music Festival competition in several locations including San Francisco and San Diego where they received “Gold” ratings for their performance in the High School Band, Strings and Orchestra Divisions. This feat earned them an invitation to the Heritage Music Festival of Gold. The group has also earned “Gold” ratings at the Forum Music Festivals and participated in the Disney Performing Arts Workshop. The group is led by our Assistant Director, Mr. Heriberto Ramos. Participation in this group is by audition only. For information on the audition process, please check our website or speak with an nTyme representative.