WELCOME TO THE NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC DEPARTMENT!
The Norwalk High School Instrumental Music Program is a vibrant and growing part of campus life—offering students meaningful opportunities to perform, collaborate, and lead. With over 100 student musicians across six ensembles, we are proud to be the largest student organization on campus and one of the most active and dynamic programs at Norwalk High School.
Our ensembles include:
Students in our program gain access to experiences that go beyond traditional classroom music. Each year, our musicians perform at school events, community parades, SCSBOA festivals, and seasonal concerts, while also participating in travel performances at venues like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.
We also connect students to professional-level opportunities through special invitations and field trips to:
In addition, we regularly host guest clinicians and conductors to give students firsthand exposure to college-level and professional musical direction—allowing them to experience what life in the arts can look like beyond high school.
Immersive Concert Productions
One of the cornerstones of our program is our multimedia concert series—full-scale productions created entirely in-house by students and staff. These concerts combine live music, storytelling, visuals, and technical production to create one-of-a-kind events for our school and community.
Featured shows include:
Each show features:
These concerts are more than performances—they're opportunities for students to tell stories, run tech, and lead production crews, gaining real experience in music, media, and leadership.
Our Mission
We believe music education should be transformative. The Norwalk High School Instrumental Music Program is committed to:
Our guiding principles are built into the heart of our department, through the L.A.N.C.E.R. values:
Leadership, Artistry, Nobility, Commitment, Excellence, and Resilience
If you're a parent of an incoming student, visit our Future Lancer tab to learn more about how to get involved.
Thank you for supporting music education at Norwalk High School. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming performances.
Mr. Ramiro Castañeda
Director of Instrumental Music
Norwalk High School
Instrumental Music Department
Our ensembles include:
- Lancer Regiment (Marching Band)
- Concert Band
- String Orchestra
- Jazz Band
- Drumline
- The Lancer Bunch (Pep Band)
Students in our program gain access to experiences that go beyond traditional classroom music. Each year, our musicians perform at school events, community parades, SCSBOA festivals, and seasonal concerts, while also participating in travel performances at venues like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.
We also connect students to professional-level opportunities through special invitations and field trips to:
- The Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall
- The GRAMMY Museum
- The Drum Corps at the Rose Bowl
- Professional touring ensembles like The United States Army Band and The United States Marine Band
In addition, we regularly host guest clinicians and conductors to give students firsthand exposure to college-level and professional musical direction—allowing them to experience what life in the arts can look like beyond high school.
Immersive Concert Productions
One of the cornerstones of our program is our multimedia concert series—full-scale productions created entirely in-house by students and staff. These concerts combine live music, storytelling, visuals, and technical production to create one-of-a-kind events for our school and community.
Featured shows include:
- Halloween Spooktacular
- Holiday Extravaganza
- Disney in Concert
- Bruno Beats: A Night of Funk & Rhythm
- Revue Rhythms
Each show features:
- Custom arrangements
- Synced music video projections
- Voiceover narration
- Fog, scent, and lighting effects
- Confetti cannons, LED wristbands, and character appearances
- A fully student-run tech and media team
- Cohesive visual branding across print and digital platforms
These concerts are more than performances—they're opportunities for students to tell stories, run tech, and lead production crews, gaining real experience in music, media, and leadership.
Our Mission
We believe music education should be transformative. The Norwalk High School Instrumental Music Program is committed to:
- Developing leadership, creativity, and resilience in every student
- Producing high-quality performances rooted in purpose and pride
- Offering students real-world opportunities to see what music can do for them
- Creating an environment that fosters growth, connection, and lasting impact
Our guiding principles are built into the heart of our department, through the L.A.N.C.E.R. values:
Leadership, Artistry, Nobility, Commitment, Excellence, and Resilience
If you're a parent of an incoming student, visit our Future Lancer tab to learn more about how to get involved.
Thank you for supporting music education at Norwalk High School. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming performances.
Mr. Ramiro Castañeda
Director of Instrumental Music
Norwalk High School
Instrumental Music Department