Welcome Letter

Welcome! As a parent of an instrumental music student, you are automatically part of the SPHS Music Boosters. The Band is among the most exciting and active groups on campus! Mr. Howard Crawford is your student’s instrumental music director.
 
Here are a few things you should know:

• BAND CAMP:  Attendance at Band Camp is not mandatory but highly encouraged and it will be held on the SPHS campus. Students should bring water, sunscreen and a hat as it is very hot on the field. Students, especially Freshman, are taught the basics of marching, and the band and Color guard begin to learn the field show that will be performed at home football games and in competitions during the Fall season.

• PRACTICES: Band has rehearsals on Monday nights (6-8pm) and Wednesday nights (6-9pm) when school begins through early November. There are usually three all day Saturday practices during the first month of school. There may also be sectional practices that are determined by the student section leaders. This is in addition to the band and Color guard classes that meet during their scheduled periods.

• CREDITS: Enrollment in band fulfills fine arts requirements as well as PE requirements (only in the fall) as long as the student is not concurrently enrolled in a sport. College admission officers have said that music participation also looks impressive on college applications, especially if enrolled all four years!

• PARENT CONTRIBUTION: It is hoped that parents will be willing to contribute toward their students’ incurred costs for the school year. Band contributions are determined each year and cover the costs of meals, rehearsal t-shirts, rehearsal shorts, and field show t-shirts, and help contribute to other related costs including competition fees, uniform dry cleaning, instrument repairs, truck rentals, and music licensing fees, etc. Costs can also be offset by volunteering to work at Bingo. All students may participate in band activities regardless of their ability to pay.

• VOLUNTEERING: Music Boosters is run by parents just like you. The annual band fees are just a small part of the money needed to maintain a high quality and competitive instrumental music program like we have at SPHS. We cannot support or boost SPHS’s wonderful instrumental music without your help! There are many opportunities to volunteer including snack stand at football games, chaperoning competitions, Spaghetti Dinner Night in February, and monthly Bingo. Please consider volunteering throughout the year!

• SATURDAY COMPETITIONS: In the fall, the marching band competes against other high school marching bands at various locations in Southern California. The hours depend on the competition and the time we are expected to perform. Parent chaperones are needed to serve lunch to the band and assist in moving pit instruments for the field show.

• SPRING TRIP: The band, orchestra, and jazz band take a Spring Trip to perform in a competitive music festival with other high schools across the nation. Past Spring Trip destinations have been San Francisco, Hawaii, Seattle, and New York. Student and parent input will be sought to determine this year’s Spring Trip destination. Costs for the Spring Trip will be announced when the destination is decided. Costs may also be offset by volunteering to work at Bingo.

• SPRING SEMESTER: Students in Marching Band will be enrolled in Concert Band for the Winter and Spring after marching season is over. Concert Band, Symphonic Band, orchestra, and jazz band will perform in a Winter Concert in December and a Spring concert in May.

• WINTER LINE/PERCUSSION LINE: Winter Line is an ensemble of students playing battery and pit instruments. The students work hard and have lots of fun competing with other local high school ensembles in judged performances. Winter Line is an excellent complement to the Fall Marching Band program for those who participate in drumline and pit, and these students are highly encouraged to participate. However, Winter Line is open to ALL students and many have joined who have no experience with percussion instruments. Winter Percussion Ensemble is a great opportunity to explore your inner percussionist! Students begin practicing in January with two weeknight practices and some Saturday practices. Competitions typically take place on Saturdays in February and March.

• CONCERT ATTIRE: The following attire is expected at all concerts and the Spring Trip Competition:

​           Boys – Black coat, slacks, white dress shirt, black bow tie, black dress shoes, black socks.
            Girls – Black knee-length (or longer) skirt, white long sleeve front button blouse, black dress shoes.

• SPHS MUSIC BOOSTERS: When your child is enrolled in the instrumental music program, you are automatically part of the SPHS Music Boosters. This is a parent group that fundraisers to support the music program at the high school. Please note that Tiger Boosters is a different organization from Music Boosters. Parent volunteers help work at Bingo, snack stand and our biggest fundraiser of the year – Spaghetti Dinner Night. These events help to offset some of the costs associated with the music program. In order for the music program to be successful, we need YOU to volunteer!

 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please email us at sphsmusicboosters@gmail.com and join us on Facebook/Band App.