Instrumental Music
“Instrumental Music” is the umbrella for all of Los Altos High School’s instrumental ensembles — the concert bands, the orchestras, and jazz band. That spans groups like Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Chamber and String Orchestras, and Jazz Band. Students range from first-year players to advanced musicians preparing honor-ensemble and all-state auditions, and the program continues to grow each year.
Marching Band & Color Guard is also part of Instrumental Music. Because of its size and its distinct fall competition season, it has its own page — see Marching Band & Color Guard.
Directors: Ted Ferrucci and Johanna “Jo” Smith-Nilsson.
The ensembles
The school offers a class for every level, open to grades 9–12 unless noted:
- Concert Band — the core band; builds instrumental skills, theory, and history through standard band literature.
- Wind Ensemble (grades 10–12) — the most advanced band, by audition or director recommendation; performs at concerts and festivals.
- String Orchestra — for all string players (violin, viola, cello, bass) of any ability.
- Chamber Ensemble (grades 10–12) — advanced string players by audition; performs at concerts and festivals.
- Jazz Ensemble — an advanced group, by audition, exploring swing, funk, rock, Latin, bebop, and improvisation.
A year of music
The ensembles perform throughout the school year, from fall and winter concerts to a spring farewell series, often sharing the stage with neighboring schools. Highlights of a typical year include:
- Seasonal concerts in the Eagle Theater and around the community
- Strictly Strings, which brings hundreds of elementary string players together with our high schoolers — a celebration of the district’s music pipeline
- CMEA festivals and adjudicated performances that challenge our students
- Honor and all-state ensembles for students who audition
The program also keeps evolving, adding new offerings — from jazz to commercial music production — that open the arts to more students.
What the Boosters provide
Booster support helps fund instrument repair and supplies, accompanists and clinicians, festival entries, and the equipment that keeps our growing ensembles sounding their best. We also help organize concert refreshments and hospitality that make performances feel like a community.
Get involved
- Join the Instrumental Music Google Group for concert dates, volunteer sign-ups, and program news.
- Volunteer to host refreshments, usher at concerts, or lend a hand at events.
- Come to the monthly Boosters meeting on Zoom, where the directors share what’s ahead. The link is in the Google Group.
Support the program
Your tax-deductible gift directly supports our bands and orchestras and the musicians who bring them to life.
Instrumental Music is supported through the Boosters’ Back-to-School campaign — choose Instrumental Music on the form when you give.