Welcome to Sinaloa Middle School Music, an award-winning music program located in Novato, California. With well over 200 students involved in the program, the Sinaloa Music Department offers a comprehensive, dynamic, and exciting opportunity for students of all levels to enjoy music.
Led by director Jason Eckl, the Sinaloa Music Department has received numerous awards including:
Outstanding Rock Band Performance Award from Downbeat Magazine.
Outstanding Jazz Choir Performance Award from Downbeat Magazine.
Outstanding Jazz Combo Performance Award from Downbeat Magazine.
1 of 6 jazz bands in the country selected to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival,
Next Generation Concert.
Our Jazz Choir was selected for a special performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Next Generation Concert.
Unanimous Superior, Superior and Excellent ratings for our bands and choirs at competitive festivals.
Gold and Silver medals for our string orchestras at Forum Music Festivals.
Marin County Education Golden Bell award for the entire department.
Click on the tabs above to learn more about the ensembles at Sinaloa.
At Sinaloa Middle School, music is for everyone! We have many different levels of classes - from basic level ensembles where students can get a lot of support and help learning to play instruments, all the way to very advanced classes that challenge students who are very serious about music.
Sinaloa Middle School Music has one of the most comprehensive music programs in the State, offering 20 different performing ensembles, including such innovative groups as Mariachi Band, Rock Bands, and Percussion Ensembles.
Sinaloa MIddle School Music
Jason Eckl, Director
sinaloamiddleschoomusic_yahoo.com
(415) 897-2111
Bands at Sinaloa
Sinaloa Middle School has a comprehensive, fun and exciting band program. With separate 6th grade, 7th grade and 8th grade bands, plus an after-school beginning band tutorial, students of all levels get to have fun making music.
Band students learn all of the standard band music, including marches and exciting programmatic pieces, plus they get to participate in exciting themed concerts.
Past themed concerts have included: "Rock and Roll," "Music of the 20th century - one song from each decade," "Ancient History," and more.
Students in the band program can also participate in the jazz bands, rock bands, the musical, mariachi band, percussion ensemble, and more.
Students in the Sinaloa band program also had the opportunity to participate in the Marin County Marching Band, - an exciting band that was chosen to represent the State of California at the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C.
Students who are in 8th grade band have the chance to go to Disneyland to participate in a special Disney Soundtrack workshop and then enjoy time in the park.
Students who are in 8th grade choir have the chance to go to Disneyland to participate in a special workshop and then enjoy time in the park.
Choirs at Sinaloa
Sinaloa Middle School has an exciting and dynamic choir program with classes for 6th graders, 7th graders and 8th graders. Starting with the concept that everyone can sing and that singing is fun, students learn all types of music including classical, rock, jazz, show tunes, folk music, and more.
Choir students can also participate in our show choir, jazz choir, rock bands, and the musical.
Students in choir also have the opportunity to perform at professional sports games, singing the National Anthem. In the past we've performed at Giant's games and Warrior's Games.
Jazz at Sinaloa
Sinaloa Music offers a comprehensive jazz program consisting of a beginning jazz band, an advanced jazz band and a jazz choir.
The Sinaloa Jazz groups perform regularly at jazz festivals and community events, and also perform at the annual Sinaloa Music Swing Dance.
The Sinaloa jazz program has won two "Outstanding Performance" awards from Downbeat magazine in national competitions.
The Sinaloa Jazz bands and Jazz choir put on an annual swing dance with live music. This event draws upwards of 300 people each year for an evening of dancing and music.
The Musical
Rock Bands
Other Music Groups at Sinaloa
Sinaloa Music offers an exceptionally diverse curriculum of before and after-school music classes. These classes are available to students who take music classes during the day.
Sinaloa music hosts the Novato Youth String Ensemble - an exciting set of classes where students can learn the violin, viola or cello. Click here to learn more about the Novato Youth String Ensemble.
Percussion Ensemble
Dixieland Band
Mariachi Band
Marching Band
Making a Difference
The Sinaloa Middle School Music Department believes in using music to help those less fortunate.
In addition to community performances at senior citizen homes, the music department puts on a set of holiday concerts each year where we collect large amounts of food, clothing and toys for families in need.
The donations collected at these concerts have gone to support community organizations like the Ritter Center, Casa de Las Madres and the Riley Center.
The Sinaloa Music Department also has a very special set of concerts to raise money to support orphans in South Africa through the One World Childrens' Fund. Currently the music department has raised over $40,000 which has provided food, shelter, clothing and school supplies for hundreds of children.
Want to come try out band, choir or strings at Sinaloa while you are still a 5th grader? Click here to find out about our special Academy program.
Are you thinking about joining Sinaloa Music in 6th grade? Click here to find out more!
Welcome Back!
1.No instruments needed the first day. Please bring instruments the second day.
2. New 6th graders, please wait before getting an instrument, for important information from Mr. Eckl.
3. Calendars and handbooks available 8/24.
4. Jazz A starts on Monday, 8/29
Jazz B is schedule will be ready soon.
5. Information will be sent home about when all of the extra classes, (jazz club, show choir, jazz choir, rock band, etc.) will get started.
African Benefit Concert
The One World Children's Fund is an organization that helps raise funds for impoverished children all around the world. This organization provides food, education, and shelter for those in need.
Join us for two outstanding concerts of exciting traditional and contemporary African music to raise money for the One World Children's Fund.
CONCERT INFORMATION:
One World Children's Fund Benefit Concerts
Friday, March 25
First concert at 6:00 p.m. featuring:
6th grade Band, 6th grade Choir, 7th grade Band, Show Choir, 6th/7th grade Strings, and 5th grade Academy Band, Strings and Choir
Second Concert at 8:00 p.m. featuring:
8th grade Band, 7/8th grade Choir, Show Choir, 8th grade Strings
Students, please click here for concert details.
Tickets are $5 per person, and can be purchased at the door.
There are currently 12 million children who have been orphaned by AIDS in Africa. They need our help.
African Benefit Concert Information
When: Friday, March 25
Performance 1 at 6:00 p.m.: 6th grade Band, 6th grade Choir, 7th grade Band, Show Choir, 6th/7th grade Strings, and 5th grade Academy Band, Strings and Choir
Performance 2 at 8:00 p.m.: 8th grade Band, 7/8th grade Choir, Show Choir, 8th grade Strings
Where: Sinaloa Middle School Gym
Dress: Blue jeans, plain black shirt
Arrival: Students who are performing in the First Concert - please arrive by 5:15 p.m.
Students who are performing in the Second Concert - please arrive by 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $5 per person at the door
For information about the One World Children's Fund: owcf.org
"Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi
