2016 marked another award-winning season for the San Marino High School Titan Marching Band & Colorguard. For the first time, the Band attended the Southern California Band & Orchestra Association – or SCSBOA – championships in consecutive years and earned its highest final placement in the 3A Division at 10th place, a full ranking up from last year’s competition.
In the Music Performance category, SMHS placed 10th; in Music Effect the Band placed 10th; in Visual Performance they were slotted at 7th, and in Visual Effect they finished 11th. The Percussion ensemble placed 8th and Colorguard placed 11th overall.
“I am extremely proud of our students who have made remarkable improvements as musicians and performers,” said SMHS Music Director Mark de la Vega. “It is so inspiring to see the students really dedicate themselves to the ideal of constant improvement. We have only come so far because the students take care of each other on and off the field.”
In order to qualify for the championships, the SMHS Band competed in four regional field tournaments from October through November with over 280 miles traveled on three buses, two 24’ equipment trucks, 100 students, and a huge team of 40-50 dedicated parent volunteers and faithful supporters. For each tournament competition, students and staff endured 10-12 hour-long Saturdays and warm afternoon performances.
“It is always hard to officially end the Marching Band season, but as we’ve stressed over and over to the members, scores and awards will never define a season, but rather the learning, the bonding, and the family that we have become in just a few months,” said Drum Major Joshua Chang.
Band President Kenneth Lin said, “Twenty years from now, we are going to remember that we were part of something pretty special. For me, the friendships and getting to know other students that I normally would not have met is what I really appreciate and enjoyed.”
SCSBOA is divided into six divisions, 1A-6A, which are based upon size and ability and encompasses over 1,000 high schools from Bakersfield to San Diego. Only 72 schools – just 12 from each of the six divisions – qualify for the Championships based upon their top three cumulative scoring results from earlier competitions. SMHS was one of 26 3A Division bands that qualified for the Championships and was ranked 10th entering the final competition. A majority of the high schools have significantly larger student populations.
SMHS has been well-regarded for its exceptional Music program which includes eight ensemble groups—Marching Band & Colorguard, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Orchestra, String Orchestra, Jazz Band, Winter Drumline, and Winter Colorguard. In total, more than 300 students participate throughout the year in one or more of the ensemble groups.
“While the Marching Band is one of our most visible ensemble groups, it is also an ideal model of success in regard to what happens when students, parents, and administration come together and commit their time, talents, and resources,” said Janis Wong, SMSH Instrumental Music Boosters President. “As a parent, it is extremely rewarding to see the students receive not only a top-notch music education, but also learn first-hand the rewards of hard-work, time-management, teamwork, organization and leadership that will go well beyond their high school years.”
The SMHS Instrumental Music Boosters is part of the Friends of SMHS VAPA – Visual Arts & Performing Arts – which is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 2011 to provide financial and administrative support for the SMHS Arts programs. Through the generous support of SMHS parents and community grants, the Music Boosters is able to provide the majority of the financial resources needed to maintain a successful music program under the new direction of de la Vega, who is in his 2nd year at SMHS. Contributions are welcomed and appreciated throughout the year in order for the Boosters to continue to support the increasing costs from classroom materials to instruments and professional workshops.
For more information, contact Janis Wong at j_tanjiwong@yahoo.com.
