Notre Dame Offers Music Lessons to 4-8 Graders for $20 Monthly

As part of its Elementary Band Program, Notre Dame High School offers monthly music lessons for students in fourth through eighth grade for $20 monthly. The classes are one-hour and take place on Saturday mornings from September through June. Two class levels are available, Beginning Band is for those with no experience, and Squires Band is for students who already play an instrument. Registration for Beginning Band is Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. in the Notre Dame Cafeteria. Beginning Band classes begin on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10 a.m. in the John Combes Band Center on the Notre Dame High School campus, located at 13645 Riverside Drive in Sherman Oaks. Registration for Squires Band is on-going and students can register at the beginning of any class session.

“As a band director, I believe in the power of music and the positive effects that playing in an ensemble has on young minds socially, emotionally, and academically,” said Notre Dame High School Band Director David Borok. “Our Elementary Band Program teachers students in the community to learn a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument, and is a great opportunity for those students whose school doesn't offer an instrumental music program. For those students who already play a band or percussion instrument, it offers them the experience of rehearsing and performing with new musicians in a new ensemble."

The Beginning Band orientation and an “Instrument Petting Zoo” will take place at the first class. The Instrument Petting Zoo is an opportunity for students to try different instruments to help them decide what they would like to play. The Saturday Band Director is Mr. Chris Clewett, who also teaches wind instruments. He has been the director of the Notre Dame Saturday band program since 2012. The percussion teacher is Mr. Ken Samela. In addition to being one of the top percussion teachers in the area, Mr. Samela is also a professional jazz drummer. He has been the Elementary Band Program Percussion Instructor since 2001.

Since 1980, Notre Dame High School has sponsored a band program for elementary and junior high school students. The cost of the lessons are subsidized by the Notre Dame Band Booster Club. Parents must supply the student’s instruments, however there is an instrument rental program available. Both Beginning Band and Squires Band students perform two concerts during the year for parents, friends and family. A holiday concert is held in December and a spring concert in June.

For more information, please contact David Borok at (818) 933-3672 or email borok@ndhs.org.