SAN MARCOS HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
PROGRAM GUIDE
This packet was prepared as an aid to answer questions
most frequently asked by 8th grade parents. We hope each 8th
grade musician will consider attending San Marcos High School,
and enroll in one of California’s top Band programs!!!!
MARCHING BAND
Our marching band performs at all home football games, goes to band competitions in Southern California and Nevada, and marches in the December Holiday parade. Marching band meets period 2 during both terms 1 & 2.
Our marching band is thought of as one of the best in California, winning numerous sweepstake awards in its division.
Because of our level of excellence, our band usually competes in the “Open” class, the highest level of competition. At a band competition, the band performs their field show, which we begin learning two weeks after school lets out for summer vacation. Sometimes new members are concerned about being able to march and play at the same time, but once they have gone through instruction at SMHS, most are able to accomplish what is expected. The fee per member per band season is usually $675 ($650 if paid all at once) which can be offset through fundraising beginning in June. However, the fee for the 2007 Marching Band season has been adjusted to compensate for the Orange Bowl trip to Miami. The fee this year includes the cost of the trip of $1650.
Marching in a field show is different from marching in the holiday parade. We learn to march to music that is usually challenging and we focus on learning a show. This year's field show entitled "Journey of Dreams", is written and arranged by Asst. Music Director Lozell Henderson. Marching Band Directors are Dan Garske & Jason Nam.
The “non-musical” bonus of being in the marching band is that incoming freshmen immediately have a great group of friends and a highly respected organization to be a part of. This can be very important for the transition to high school, as well as the lifelong friendships and memories which result from high school band.
Summer Rehearsals & Band Camp
Summer band rehearsals for horn line participants are every Tuesday & Thursday from 5:00 pm—7:30 pm. Color Guard will rehearse on Monday & Wednesday from 5:00—7:00 pm. Percussion rehearsals are the following depending on section:
Mondays
5:00 pm—8:00 pm Front Ensemble—Pit
Tuesday
4:00 pm—6:00 pm Snares
Tuesday
6:00 pm—8:00 pm Quads
Thursday
4:00 pm– 6:00 pm Bass
This will be the schedule for the entire summer. Percussion will not rehearse with the full ensemble until band camp.
Marching band has one week of intense band camp, August 20th—24th, 9:00 am—9:00 pm. The students get a lunch and dinner break and it is important that they are on time. During this time the band begins to learn its field show for the fall. All members are required to attend the band camp - no exceptions!
Band Camp ends early on that Friday and does a short performance for the parents showcasing what was learned during the summer. This is followed by a band BBQ at 6:30 pm for band members and their families.
Items to bring to camp
It can get extremely hot. Band members should wear a hat or cap, sunglasses, water and, above all, sunscreen.
Tuesday Night Practice
Band rehearsal in the fall is every Tuesday night from 6:00 – 9:30 pm (Sept thru Dec.).
Field Show Competitions and Home Football Games
We have about five home football games; these are on Friday nights. We go to five show competitions. Field show competitions are held on Saturdays. The schedule for these shows is not available yet. Usually the last field show is the “Battle of the Bands Competition” held at Santa Barbara High School in early December.
Percussion Auditions
Auditions for placement in the marching band are the following:
- San Marcos students (battery) Wednesday, May 30th, 3:30 pm—band room.
- Junior High Students (battery) Thursday, May 31st, 3:30 pm—La Colina band room for La Colina students only.
- Front ensemble (Pit) Friday, June 1st, 3:30 pm—band room
Be prepared to demonstrate snare drum ability, do a little sight reading; bring a prepared piece if you desire. Also, be able to discuss your availability over the summer, as our drum line begins working in June, once a week, both the battery and the pit. We have the percussion that march on the field with the band called the “Battery”. We also have a group of percussionists on the side line at the edge of the field called the “Pit” playing all kinds of drums, keyboard mallets, small percussion, synthesizers, and vibes. The battery consists of around 13 members, and the pit will also have around 13 members. Most of the work with the percussion is handled by the Assistant Director, Lozell Henderson.
PE Credit
Marching Band fills the PE requirement for graduation. Marching band fulfills Physical Education requirements for graduation, however, it is limited to one semesters worth of PE credit per year.
Instruments to Loan
SMHS provides all the percussion equipment, battery and pit. We also provide tubas, marching baritones, and marching French horns. We have added three bass clarinets, three baritone saxophones, and three tenor saxophones to the instrumentation of the band. Often we have incoming freshmen who want to switch instruments. For marching band, trombonists all play a marching baritone, which we also provide. The baritones provide a rich, loud sound without the worry of the slide while marching. The trombone can still be played in the concert and jazz bands.
