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Did you know that starting an instrument in fourth or
fifth grade could lead to a lifetime of musical enjoyment? That’s what it did
for Mr. Richardson who directs the instrumental program for the PRUSD. Starting
on trumpet in fourth grade, he tried piano, bass, tuba and percussion before
settling on French horn in high school. Further education resulted in Bachelors
and Masters Degrees in Horn Performance from San Francisco State University and
the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music as well as a teaching credential in music.
“Music has taken me around the world. A trip to the World’s
Fair-Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan with my high school orchestra wetted my appetite
for travel and experiencing different cultures.” Mr. Richardson has played in
orchestras in Venezuela, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland and the United
States. As a freelance musician, he has played with many orchestras in the San
Francisco Bay Area as well as Aspen, Sun Valley, Lake Tahoe and Rome Music
Festivals under such renown conductors as Segi Ozawa, Herbert Blomsted, Michael
Tilsen Thomas, Aaron Copland and Eric Leinsdorf. It was participation in the
Music in the Mountains Festival in Nevada City twenty-six years ago that
prompted a move in 2001 to Grass Valley with his family.
“My favorite music to play is that of the Romantic Period.
Mahler, Strauss, Brahms, Wagner and Stravinsky. Great horn parts!” Mr. Richardson also enjoys pops
concerts and has played with such artists as Dave Brubeck, Doc Severinson, Rod
Stewart, Moody Blues and recently with Chuck Mangione (1974, 1986, 2009).
In fifth grade, Instrumental music is offered to students by a credentialed music teacher. It is a pullout program where the students are offered lessons on flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone once a week for the school year. They will also learn music theory, notation, rhythm and the  enjoyment of playing in an ensemble. We present a Winter and Spring Concert. The Spring Concert is especially fun as it involves the three elementary schools and the middle school on the same concert. The students, parents and teachers get to see and hear how much the band students progress from 5th to 8th grade! The local music store has an excellent rental program and all the necessary books, accessories and materials. At the beginning of the school year, Mr. Richardson schedules individual instrumental fitting meetings with the child and parent to assure the student gets started on the right instrument. One of the goals of our district is to enable each student to experience a live performance where they are featured.
Morning Band is mostly made up of sixth graders that played an instrument in fifth grade. They may continue on their same instrument or some may switch to a different or related instrument – clarinet to saxophone, trumpet to French horn, baritone or tuba and percussion. Seventh and eighth  graders might also learn a second instrument. Beginners with no musical experience are also encouraged to play. Morning Band meets 2-3 times a week at 8:00am. They play three concerts during the year and participate in one music festival. One of the goals of our district is to enable each student to experience a live performance where they are featured. The local music store has an excellent rental program and all the necessary books, accessories and materials. Morning Band uses Standard of Excellence Book 1.
(2010-2011 Green and Gold will be combined)
Green Band is made up of 7th graders that are on their second or third year of their instrument. They meet every day during the regular school day. Emphasis will be on improving and expanding their skills through scales, chorals, exercises and repertoire. They will present three concerts and attend 2-3 festivals. The local music store has an excellent rental program and all the necessary books, accessories and materials. Green Band uses Standard of Excellence Book 2.
(2010-2011 Green and Gold will be combined)
Gold Band is made up of 8th graders that are on their third or fourth year of their instrument. They meet every day during the regular school day. Emphasis will be on improving and expanding their skills through scales, chorals, exercises and repertoire. They will present three concerts and attend 2-3 festivals. The local music store has an excellent rental program and all the necessary books, accessories and materials. Gold Band uses Standard of Excellence Book 3.
Jazz Band is made up of 6-8th graders that audition for positions in The Rattler Jazz Band. Participation in one of the other band  ensembles is required. They meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:00am. Emphasis will be on jazz scales, style and improvisation. Music will include jazz standards along with rock, funk and Latin styles. They will present four concerts, an elementary school tour and attend 1-2 festivals. The local music store has an excellent rental program and all the necessary books, accessories and materials. Jazz Band uses Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method.
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program offers students the opportunity to learn
music theory, notation, rhythm and learn to enjoy music. 
music activities. Students in grades 5-8 have the option to participate in an instrumental music
program which enables them to participate in a band experience beginning with initial instruction in
5th/6th grades and progressing to Advanced Band and Jazz Band experiences. One of the goals of our
district is to enable each student to participate in an “evening performance” where he/she is “featured’
in a program with microphones and stage presence. All students may join their school’s choir, as well.