Dear SPHS Instrumental Music Parents,
Welcome! As a parent of an Instrumental Music Program student, you are automatically part of the SPHS Music Boosters. The music program is among the most exciting and active groups on campus!
Here are a few things we’d like you to know:
- INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM: Mr. Crawford is your student’s Instrumental Music Program director and oversees Marching Band & Color Guard, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Winter Line, and Winter Guard. The program runs year-round.
- 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 first-year students, are taught the basics of marching and movement, and the Band and Color Buard begin to learn the field show that will be performed at home football games and in competitions during the fall season.
- PRACTICES: Band and Color Guard have 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 additional after-school sectional practices for each instrument group and Color Guard that are scheduled by the student section leaders. These after-school practices are in addition to the Band and Color Guard classes that meet during their scheduled periods during the school day.
- CREDITS: Enrollment in band fulfills fine arts requirements as well as PE requirements (for the fall only), 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, uniform cleaning, rehearsal t-shirts, rehearsal shorts, and field show t-shirts, and help partially defray additional costs of running the program, including competition fees, field show arrangement, instrument repairs, equipment transport, and music licensing fees, etc. Families can offset these costs by volunteering to work at Bingo; please attend the Parent Info session on August 10 to learn more or email sphsmusicboosters@gmail.com. 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 cover only a minority of the costs of maintaining a high quality and competitive music program like we have at SPHS. We cannot support SPHS’ wonderful Instrumental Music Program without your help! There are many opportunities to volunteer, including staffing the concession 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 continue playing in the Concert or Symphonic Band 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 fundraises to support the music program at the high school and is distinct from the Tiger Boosters that supports all extracurricular offerings at the high school. Parent volunteers help staff 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 check out our website below, or email us at sphsmusicboosters@gmail.com. We’re looking forward to an amazing year together!
2023-24 SPHS Music Boosters Executive Board
- Betty Hong, President
- Cristian Ovalle, Vice-president
- Charles Thompson, Vice-president
- Kimber Norquest Crow, Secretary
- Mark Matlock, Treasurer
For the latest on all things happening with the Tiger Band & Guard, click here to subscribe to our Calendar, the Band app, and our social media feeds.