SMHS Music Winter Home Show — Saturday, Feb 28, 2026
SMHS Winter Show
San Mateo High School
506 North Delaware Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
Start Times for Event Categories
9:30am - Winterguard competition in Main Gym begins*
10:00am - Percussion competition in ATC Gym begins*
9am - “L-Pattern” Drum Major Competition on the Football Field**
11am - “Field Conducting” Drum Major Competition in the MPR**
*Buy Tickets in Advance & SAVE! *
Click here to purchase discount tickets online through Friday, February 27.
Tickets will also be available at door as well on the day of the show.
*Tickets required for competition events tickets taking place in the gyms.
**Tickets not required for Drum Major events on the field/in the MPR.
Campus MAP of Events:
San Mateo High School
506 North Delaware Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
Start Times for Event Categories
9:30am - Winterguard competition in Main Gym begins*
10:00am - Percussion competition in ATC Gym begins*
9am - “L-Pattern” Drum Major Competition on the Football Field**
11am - “Field Conducting” Drum Major Competition in the MPR**
*Buy Tickets in Advance & SAVE! *
Click here to purchase discount tickets online through Friday, February 27.
Tickets will also be available at door as well on the day of the show.
*Tickets required for competition events tickets taking place in the gyms.
**Tickets not required for Drum Major events on the field/in the MPR.
Campus MAP of Events:
Info for SMHS students & families
WHAT: A day-long series of competitions* encompassing four categories of events including Drum Major, Drum Line, Field Conducting and Winter Guard. Schools from all of the Bay area come to the SMHS campus to compete.
WHY: SMHS Music hosts this annual tradition on campus and it serves as our BIGGEST fundraising opportunity of the year with proceeds benefiting ALL music ensembles/students.
WHEN: Setup begins Friday evening 2/27. Setup continues Saturday morning 2/28 and the competition takes place all day and early evening followed by cleanup Saturday evening/night.
WHO: It is mandatory for ALL SMHS music students to work at least one two-hour shift Friday evening or Saturday.
All Music program parents are strongly encouraged to volunteer with setup Friday night or during the day on Saturday.
- On Friday evening help is needed with staging, concessions set up, sign placement, and set up of our director’s lounge.
- Saturday morning, we will need several parents to monitor and direct groups to their assigned slots in the parking lot, assist with food preparation, concession and ticket sales, and monitors areas throughout the competition sites.
Donations
We will need donations of concession items as well as trophy sponsorships. As an added incentive, donors and sponsors will receive recognition through announcements and key placement throughout the event.
Signups for volunteers, donations, and sponsorships to be emailed in late January/February.
Questions? Contact Guard Director April Pietsch at [email protected], Booster President Scott Urman at [email protected], or Hospitality Chair Stacy Jimenez at [email protected], or any of our directors if you have any questions about any of the above!
* Competition Information:
Drum Major Competitions
Drum majors compete in several different types of events, which will be held on the football field and in the new athletic training complex.
A drum major L-pattern conducting competition is an individual event where a drum major demonstrates conducting skill, precision, and leadership while marching a prescribed L-shaped pattern on the field. Judges evaluate clear and consistent conducting patterns, posture, timing, tempo control, and the ability to conduct accurately while moving. Watch what occurs during an L-Pattern performance: https://youtu.be/971JXvD1ptg?si=dll7Na9fDFRzjhx9
Field conducting competitions are events where student drum majors are evaluated on their conducting skills rather than marching or playing. Students conduct a recorded or live musical selection while standing on a podium, demonstrating clear, precise conducting patterns, strong tempo control, musical expression, and confident leadership presence. Judges evaluate elements such as beat clarity, posture, style, expressiveness, cueing, and interpretation of the music. Watch a field conducting performance: https://youtu.be/Zt_0r-Jp8_A?si=SY7x3LXzmgxJX--n
Drumline Competitions
A drumline competition features percussion ensembles performing highly coordinated, rhythmic shows using marching and front-ensemble instruments. Groups are judged on musical accuracy, timing, difficulty, and visual performance. Groups will warm up in the small gym and then move to the main gym for competition. Watch a drumline performance here: https://youtu.be/VB3Vt6phPLQ?si=-UXEHJW2BhOVVb_I
Winter Guard
Winter Guard is an indoor performance activity where performers use flags, rifles, sabers, and various props, combined with dance and storytelling, all set to music. Teams are judged on choreography, technique, equipment work, and overall effect. Performance will begin in the early afternoon and will be held in the main gym, with warm ups held in the small gym. Watch our award winning 2018 Winter Guard compete: https://youtu.be/cxW7Mb8m_Mc?si=LndQ6bjQlfWJ_E4V