The Diamond Ranch High school instrumental music department is a well-established and widely respected program in the Southern California area with many awards, accomplishments and accolades accredited to its name. Below is a list of several currently available programs for students to enroll in.
The Panther Brigade
The Panther Brigade is the nickname bestowed upon the Diamond Ranch Marching Band and Colorguard. Students from grades 9-12 fill the ranks of brass, woodwinds, percussion, and color guard members. Music rehearsals begin when school ends in May and continue throughout the Summer and Fall. The Fall season begins at the start of the school year with football games, parades, field shows, pep rallies, school events and a march down Main Street, U.S.A. at the world famous Disneyland Resort! Every year the Panther Brigade concludes their season with our hometown Pomona Christmas parade in early December.
The Diamond Ranch High School Panther Brigade has had much success and continues to be one of the top music programs in the Pomona Valley and Greater Los Angeles area. The band and color guard have earned numerous sweepstakes awards in parades and superior ratings in district and regional festivals. Members of the Panther Brigade have also been invited to perform in the London New Year’s day parade, Tournament of Roses Honor Band, SCSBOA honor groups and numerous collegiate ensembles.
The Diamond Ranch High School Panther Brigade has had much success and continues to be one of the top music programs in the Pomona Valley and Greater Los Angeles area. The band and color guard have earned numerous sweepstakes awards in parades and superior ratings in district and regional festivals. Members of the Panther Brigade have also been invited to perform in the London New Year’s day parade, Tournament of Roses Honor Band, SCSBOA honor groups and numerous collegiate ensembles.
Concert Band
This ensemble forms in second semester and is made up of musicians from the Panther Brigade. The concert band performs a varied repertoire of wind literature at the advanced level. Students in the ensemble further their skills and develop a more profound sensitivity toward outstanding musicianship, historical style, performance practices, and aesthetics. (These characteristics are what many college professors look for in their students!) In order to be eligible for this group, students must demonstrate proficiency on their instrument by playing major scales, sight reading, and play with a good sound on their instrument. Aside from music festivals, the concert band still performs at school functions and hold an end of the year concert at the historic Fox Theater in Pomona, California!
Colorguard
Members are selected by auditions to be held in late May. For an audition packet please email band director Dr. Ruiz or Color Guard Director Ms. Jimenez.
In the Fall, the color guard performs with the Diamond Ranch marching band at rallies, football games, community events, Disneyland and parade competitions. At the end of the marching season, the color guard participates in the WGASC winterguard circuit from January through late April. This group is limited to those who make the auditions and are able to take the color guard class. The winterguard performs at school rallies, WGASC competitions and will typically have between 5-7 shows from February to April.
The color guard program consistently takes top honors at numerous parades and indoor competitions. Members of the color guard have been invited to perform in the London New Year’s day parade and the Tournament of Roses Honor Band.
In the Fall, the color guard performs with the Diamond Ranch marching band at rallies, football games, community events, Disneyland and parade competitions. At the end of the marching season, the color guard participates in the WGASC winterguard circuit from January through late April. This group is limited to those who make the auditions and are able to take the color guard class. The winterguard performs at school rallies, WGASC competitions and will typically have between 5-7 shows from February to April.
The color guard program consistently takes top honors at numerous parades and indoor competitions. Members of the color guard have been invited to perform in the London New Year’s day parade and the Tournament of Roses Honor Band.
Orchestra
Considered one of the top orchestras in the Pomona Valley, the Diamond Ranch High School String Orchestra is made up of students in grades 9-12. This ensemble has earned numerous superior ratings at district and regional festivals. Orchestral repertoire covered in this program offers students a comprehensive performing experience through various periods sand genres.
The String Orchestra is open to all students who demonstrate a proficiency in a string instrument. Students who took string orchestra at Lorbeer or any other middle school are eligible to enroll in orchestra at Diamond Ranch High School with a recommendation from their teacher. The Orchestra performs at various music festivals, Disneyland and school and community events. The Diamond Ranch String Orchestra also performs with the concert band at the historic Fox Theater at the end of the school year!
The String Orchestra is open to all students who demonstrate a proficiency in a string instrument. Students who took string orchestra at Lorbeer or any other middle school are eligible to enroll in orchestra at Diamond Ranch High School with a recommendation from their teacher. The Orchestra performs at various music festivals, Disneyland and school and community events. The Diamond Ranch String Orchestra also performs with the concert band at the historic Fox Theater at the end of the school year!
Jazz band
The Diamond Ranch High School jazz band is a unique and exciting advanced ensemble that performs all styles of jazz music, such as Big Band, Blues, Funk, Motown, Latin, Pop and Rock.
Because the jazz band performs music at such high levels and reads new charts on a regular basis, participation in the ensemble is contingent on enrollment in either the band or orchestra program. Through our daily rehearsals as well as a performance at the end of the term, students will be able to work on their improvisation, understanding of chord progressions, and ensemble communication.
Because the jazz band performs music at such high levels and reads new charts on a regular basis, participation in the ensemble is contingent on enrollment in either the band or orchestra program. Through our daily rehearsals as well as a performance at the end of the term, students will be able to work on their improvisation, understanding of chord progressions, and ensemble communication.
Drumline
The Drumline is made up of the battery (drums) and mallets (xylophone, marimba, keyboard, etc.) of the marching band. The battery performs with the Diamond Ranch pep band at rallies, football games, community events, Disneyland and parade competitions. At the end of the marching season, the battery and the front ensemble begin their indoor percussion ensemble (a.k.a. winterline) season. During their competitive season, the ensemble travels to competitions in surrounding school districts to perform their indoor show. The indoor percussion ensemble performs at ADLA competitions and will typically have between 5 - 7 performances from February to May. The Drumline has competed and placed at distinguished competitions such as the Arcadia High School Festival of Bands, and the ADLA Las Vegas Invitational.
The Rally Squad
The Rally squad is made up of upper classmen Band and Color guard members. This elite group of Juniors and seniors are a high-energy and pops-oriented group. The Rally Squad play at various events in and around the community.
Our primary focus is to provide energy, entertainment, boost the school spirit, and support our teams by taking home-court advantage during the games; all while having fun and enjoying the sport. Students work their way up to join these rabid Panthers fanatics.
Our primary focus is to provide energy, entertainment, boost the school spirit, and support our teams by taking home-court advantage during the games; all while having fun and enjoying the sport. Students work their way up to join these rabid Panthers fanatics.