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Music Department

Welcome to the Music Department Home Page  For any questions, please feel free to reach out to Mr. T at [email protected]. 

Programs Offered

Advanced Band

Advanced band consists of concert band or wind symphony instrumentation.  This includes flute, clarinet, alto/tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion.
 
This is a great class for students to explore and take musicianship to the next level.  While highly encouraged, experience is not necessary.  We all start somewhere and all of our music programs at OPA are open to Eagles of all experience levels, without having to audition.  We believe music is for everyone and will do our best to create the best experience for all students.
 
All instruments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

6th Grade Beginning Band

For our 6th Grade Eagles, Beginning Band is a class for our students to gain their first exposure to band instruments and get the ball rolling.  Instruments include flute, clarinet, alto/tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion.
 
Just like all of our performing arts classes, no experience is necessary!  We believe music is for everyone and will do our best to create the best experience possible for all students.
 
All instruments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Strings

For the first year ever, we are offering strings!  This includes violins, violas, cellos, and string bass.  This is perfect for our Eagles who come with experience playing violin or other string instruments, but is not limited to those with experience.
 
As with all of our performing arts classes, no experience is necessary!  We believe music is for everyone and will do our best to create the best experience possible for all students.
 
Instruments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Guitar/Ukulele
 
Also for the first time ever, OPA is offering a guitar and ukulele option.  Here students of all skill levels are encouraged to join to learn the basics of the guitar, how the instruments work, and get an opportunity to rock out to some great music!
 
As with all of our performing arts classes, no experience is necessary!  We believe music is for everyone and will do our best to create the best experience possible for all students.
 
The entire class will alternate between nylon-stringed acoustic guitars and standard soprano ukuleles.  Please keep in mind, this class utilizes acoustic guitars, not electric guitars.  All students will be learning on nylon-stringed acoustic guitars and ukuleles.
 

Marching Champions Band and Color Guard

Open to all Eagles, our Marching Champions is an award-winning marching band and color guard.  We meet Monday through Thursday during 8th period.  Open to all Eagles, no experience is necessary to join.  Members also do not need to be in a music class during the day to join.  All are welcome!
 
Accolades
2-time Best Musical Act recipients at the Dana Point Festival of Whales Parade (2015 and 2020)
2020 participants at the National School Choice Week Conference (NSCW) at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA
2017 3rd place Band at the San Juan Capistrano Swallow's Day Parade
2017 2nd place Color Guard at the San Juan Capistrano Swallow's Day Parade
2017 3rd place Drum Major at the San Juan Capistrano Swallow's Day Parade
 
Leadership
Playing in the Marching Champions is a great opportunity for Eagles to explore and develop their leadership skills.  Our band and color guard units both have drum majors, captains, and section leaders, who help with planning, coordinating resources, working with the groups, and actually leading our Marching Champions at parades.
 
Performances
Aside from performing at some of our amazing school events (specific events to be announced), our Marching Champions also perform annually at the following parades:
-Anaheim Halloween Parade
-Dana Point Festival of Whales Parade
 
Additional performances will be announced.  We are also open to other community events and have performed in the community in the past, at events such as the Mission Viejo Walk Against Drugs and at The Shops at Mission Viejo.  if you have a potential performance opportunity, please feel free to reach out to the director and we are happy to explore the possibility.
 
Color Guard
We are in search of a parent volunteer to help work with our Color Guard Champions.  Color Guard consists of shields, flags, and poms.  If anyone with experience is interested, please reach out to Mr. T at [email protected] for more information.
Different instruments are played in each class.  Here is a breakdown of what instruments options are available in which classes.  Please reach out to Mr. T with any questions about the instrument options.
 
Beginning, Advanced, and Marching Band
 
Flute
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba
Percussion*
Electric Bass*
 
*Percussion is a group of instruments, not just a drum.  Students in the percussion section are assigned instruments based on the necessities of the ensemble by the director.
*Electric bass is not an option for marching band as we would be unable to march with an electric bass connected to power.  Electric bass is however an option for pep band activities and performances that do not involve marching or being "on-field."
 
Strings
Violin
Viola
Cello*
Bass*
 
*Please note, cello and bass are limited in numbers and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Guitar/Ukulele
Standard acoustic nylon-string guitars
standard soprano ukulele
We have a limited supply of instruments for each class that our students are welcome to use, at no cost, with the completion of an instrument use contract.
 
While we do have a limited supply of instruments, please keep in mind they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
While it is not necessary or required in any way, we do highly recommend considering renting or purchasing an instrument outside the school.  This will ensure that your child is the only one playing their instrument and always has one to play at school and home.  School instruments may be shared, depending on availability, in order to accommodate our students.
 
We are located withing ten minutes of two reputable music stores that sell and rent instruments.  We do not officially endorse or recommend any particular store or business.
Performances are scheduled throughout the school year.  Some examples include our winter showcases, school pep rallies, parades, community performances, and other school events.  Performances are subject to performer availability and scheduling logistics.  Please refer to our music department calendar for specific performances.  Feel free to reach out if you have a suggestion for a future performance.
Mr. T Bio Photo
Meet Mr. T

Mr. T's life has always revolved around music in one way or another. At an early age studied piano and in middle school began taking trumpet lessons at the Los Angeles Music and Arts School. There, he began taking mariachi lessons through the Mariachi Heritage Society.


Over the past thirty years he has had the privilege of sharing the stage with some of the most talented musicians in the field. Not limited to mariachi music, Mr. T has experience performing and/or recording orchestral, concert band, jazz, Hip-Hop, and Klezmer music.  He currently performs with Los Otros, a quartet he co-founded in 2020.


Mr. T holds dual Bachelor of music degrees in Music Education and Music Composition from the College of Performing Arts at Chapman University.  In 2008 he was the winner of the Smith Composition Award.  Mr. T did his graduate work at The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University Long Beach where in 2009, his piece Ollin was named 2nd place winner of the Iron Works Percussion Duo Composition Contest and is available through Bachovich publications and Steve Weiss Music.  In 2010, he was awarded the Composition award and earned a Master of Music in Music Composition.  Mr. T completed his credential work at Brandman University and holds a Cleared California Single-Subject Credential in music.


A strong believer in the benefits of music education, Mr. T shares his passion for music through teaching and has over 20 years of experience in music education. A strong advocate for mariachi education, Mr. T has worked with various community and school-based programs throughout Southern California, and the Southwest United States, as well as has been an instructor at several mariachi conferences and supported programs throughout the country. Mr. T has served as an adjudicator for several mariachi festivals and competitions including The Mission San Juan Capistrano Battle of the Mariachis, where he serves on an advisory board to explore mariachi educational activities and festivals, After the Bell Mariachi Festivals for the Los Angeles Unified School District, The Clark County Unified School District, and the California Music Educators Association (CMEA). Mr. T had the privilege of speaking at the 2023 NAMM Show (National Association of Music Merchants), on a panel led by Guitars In The Classroom (GITC) discussing the inclusion of mariachi education, and is proud to offer mariachi educator professional development workshops through the support of the Save The Music Foundation.


Mr. T has been a proud member of the Oxford Preparatory Academy community for 12 years, and has experience working with band, orchestra, and mariachi programs at the elementary, middle, and high school level, throughout Southern California and the Southwest United States.


An author, amateur woodworker, and scale model builder, Mr. T enjoys spending his free time with his amazing wife and son, building scale models, writing, and anything that involves building.