The Tech Music Department offers classes in Piano and Guitar, open to students on all levels from beginner to advanced. You can learn to play or refine your skills and learn new pieces and techniques.
Piano:
Jazz or classical, solo or ensemble, you can play it at Tech! Beginning students learn to read music and play songs; more advanced students receive an individualized curriculum and can work on pieces they choose in consultation with Music teacher David Byrd. Jazz pianists have the opportunity to play in ensemble with other jazz student musicians.
More advanced students can expect to perform either in ensemble or solo at the Winter and Spring concerts.
Guitar:
All levels welcome, from beginner to advanced. Study acoustic and/or electric; Classical, Blues, Folk and Rock. Beginning students will learn to read written music and tablature; Music teacher David Byrd will individualize the curriculum for experienced students.
Students perform at Tech’s Winter and Spring Concerts, and qualified students have the opportunity to perform in Tech’s excellent Jazz Band.
On Saturday, September 17, 2001, the Tech community and the public had a real treat: a free concert and performance celebrating the restoration of Tech’s beautiful Steinway grand piano.
Tech’s Class of 1961, led by Camille Reed, spearheaded an effort that raised over $25,000 for the restoration of Tech’s magnificent piano. This concert was a gift to the Class of 1961 and to the community in thanks for this act of tremendous generosity.
The concert featured a dedication of the newly restored piano and an extraordinary performance by Tech Junior Jacenta Yu of “Swipesy” by Scott Joplin, “Love Story” by Francis Lai, and the Prelude in C#minor Op. 3 No.2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff, followed by wonderful performances by students in the Drama and Dance programs. The audience, including members of the Class of ’61, current and former Tech students and families, and members of the community, were delighted at the quality of the offerings.
Congratulations to all our performers, and many thanks to Camille Reed, the Piano Committee and the Class of ’61!
If you would like to help renovate Tech’s Auditorium, please click the “Donate” button on this page. Thank you!
The Tech community and the public are invited to a free concert on at 11 a.m. on September 17, 2011, celebrating the restoration of Tech’s beautiful Steinway grand piano, courtesy of the extraordinary generosity of Tech’s Class of 1961.
The Class of 1961, led by Camille Reed, spearheaded an effort that raised over $25,000 for the restoration of Tech’s magnificent instrument. This concert is a dedication of the newly restored piano, and a gift to the Class of 1961 and to the community. Please come and show your support for the arts at Tech and your appreciation for the beautiful instrument we possess!
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Tech’s Class of 1961, our grand piano has been restored! This Steinway concert grand piano is a world-class instrument which was badly in need of TLC – which it received, thanks to Tech alumna Camille Reed and the Piano Committee.
On Saturday, September 17, 2011, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., we will have a concert and Piano Dedication event for the newly restored grand piano. Please join us in the Auditorium and join in celebration!
Read the Oakland Tribune article about the piano and the generous efforts of Ms. Reed and her class.
Forget about Twilight and True Blood – this is the story that started it all!
Tech’s Production Drama class is proud to present Bram Stoker’s classic Dracula in an adaptation of Orson Welles’ fabulous radio play. This production, with one of the biggest casts ever in a Tech play, will feature fantastic sets by the Tech Techies and live soundscapes by the Choral and Voice class.
Four performances in the newly, beautifully painted Tech Auditorium on 42nd Street and Broadway:
7 p.m. on November 4, 5 and 6
2 p.m. matinee on November 6
You don’t want to miss this: one night only, the fall 2010 performance of the OUSD Honor Band, the fabulous ensemble that comes together when the music teachers from Bret Harte, Edna Brewer, Westlake, Skyline, Montera, Oakland High, Claremont Middle School and Tech nominate their top talent! Every student enrolled in instrumental music is eligible.
November 6 -Honor Band Rehearsal @Edna Brewer Middle School
November 13 -Honor Band Rehearsal @Edna Brewer Middle School
November 18 -Honor Band Concert @ Oakland Tech!
From October 1-3, 2010, as he has done each fall, Tech music teacher David Byrd brought a handpicked group of students to the prestigious and beautiful Cazadero music camp, to act as mentors in the “JumpStart in Music” program.
JumpStart in Music is an intensive three-day mini camp for approximately 150 students from six OUSD middle schools who have completed their first year in band or orchestra. JumpStart in Music’s mission is to increase involvement of children in school music programs, build leadership in a cross-cultural program among an ethnically diverse student body, and build a sense of community among and between schools and school districts.
Mentors from Tech and Skyline helped the campers learn their music, played along with them, and joined with teachers to perform a concert for the campers.
Jazz, orchestra, song … It’s always a great evening at the final concert for the music department. Come hear all of Tech’s talented music students: orchestra, jazz ensembles, instrumental soloists, and the Opera Piccola chorus.
When: June 3, 2010, 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Tech Auditorium, 42nd Street at Broadway
Bring your friends! Tell the community!
Jazz musicians, here’s a way to get work experience, play music and spend some time in gorgeous country! The Youth Jazz Camp at Feather River is looking for teens to be counselors in training. Youth Jazz Camp offers jazz training and performance with a well-known jazz artist, as well as outdoor camp activities in a beautiful setting from August 16-21, 2010, and a performance at an Oakland venue on return. For more information, contact Renee Tucker at 510-597-5027.
Please join us for the 2009 Winter Concert in the Oakland Tech Auditorium, presented by the Oakland Tech Music Department. Performing will be:
- Choir
- Orchestra
- Jazz Band
- Maybe solo Piano
The Tech Music Department offers classes in Piano and Guitar, open to students on all levels from beginner to advanced. You can learn to play or refine your skills and learn new pieces and techniques.
