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SAN BERNARDINO, CA- To launch the new instrumental program at San Bernardino Valley College, a Summer Band has been formed, comprised of SBVC students and area high schoolers.
Valley College hasn’t had a band program for about 15 years, and Professor of Music Margaret Worsley was hired in January to get the instrumental music program up and running.
“This will be no easy feat, as none of our former repertoire (music) or instruments remain, and starting from scratch isn’t cheap,” she said. “But, we’ve got to begin somewhere, and a Summer Band seems as good a place as any! No audition was required to join the band, simply a humble amount of experience on an instrument. This session, we’ve welcomed current students at Valley, as well as local high school students looking to keep up their chops during the summer.”
Worsley says the Humanities Department is “very excited” to bring back the instrumental program, adding, “We are presently writing curriculum so that instrumentalist music majors will soon have a large ensemble to participate in, as fulfillment of their degree requirements. Our future dreams are big, and include outreach and involvement with local high schools and community players. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and that first baby step is Summer Band. I’m looking to start a Community Band in the fall, which will rehearse once a week.”
The Summer Band rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 5 p.m. This summer, they are sight-reading and focusing on American pieces. For information on future performances, please visit www.valleycollege.edu.
While an audition for participation is not required, there is an audition for seating. Any-one looking to participate in the instrumental music program or Summer Band can email Worsley at mworsley@valleycollege.edu.
