The Servite Band program is open to all students regardless of talent.  Students learn the basics of performing on wind and percussion instruments including note-reading, breath control, tone support, and overall musicianship.  The students participate in a very encouraging and family oriented atmosphere where all participants are encouraged to do their very best at all times.  A wide variety of music is performed ranging from classical music to modern jazz and from popular marches to music from the latest Hollywood blockbusters.

 

The band supports the local school community by performing at Masses, sporting events, open houses, Fashion Show & Luncheon, fund raisers, and local community events.  They also perform several concerts each year in the theater. Students participating in the band program will not only fulfill their fine arts requirement, but learn organizational and teamwork skills that are highly sought after in the professional environment as well as learning to enjoy music for the rest of their life.

 

---

 

The Servite Jazz Ensemble, directed by Michael Burrows, is proud to announce its first CD, a holiday compilation entitled “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” The CD will be released November 15, 2009 at the Servite Fashion Show, where the band will be present to perform a variety of holiday tunes.

 

The CD is priced at $12, and all proceeds directly benefit the band program and the group’s trip to Chicago for a musical contest in April. The album was performed, recorded, mixed, mastered, and packaged entirely by the students. It will be available at the Servite Fashion show and at the Servite online store starting November 15.

 

Songs include Joy to the World, Silver Bells, Baby It’s Cold Outside, O Holy Night, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Greensleeves, The Holiday Season, O Christmas Tree, Dashing Through the Snow, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

 

The Servite Jazz Ensemble would like to thank the parents and the Servite Administration for their generous support of the program.

 

---

 

MICHAEL BURROWS, Band Director, has a Bachelor of Music Education from Corban College in Salem, Oregon.  He has taught band at all levels from beginning elementary to advanced college levels in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and now California.  His bands have competed at regional and state levels and several of his ensembles have received superior marks at the national level.  In addition to his teaching, Mr. Burrows is active as a church musician and music director for local church theater groups as well as a music arranger for a variety of performing ensembles. He is a member of the Music Educators’ National Conference. Contact Michael Burrows at (714) 774-7575, extension 1177 or via email at mburrows@servitehs.org.