Marching Band
Be a part of a 100+ year tradition of excellence! The award-winning San Mateo High School Marching Band and Colorguard combines musical performance with visual entertainment, emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and friendly competition. The ensemble has two components: Band and Colorguard. Band instruments include: Flute/Piccolo, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, Baritone), Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone, Tuba, and Percussion (Drumline). Colorguard does not play an instrument; students spin flags, prop rifles, and sabres as the visual “auxiliary” component.
Pep Band Camp: Friday, August 14, 2026, 4:00 PM–8:00 PM. This event is for all instrumentalists in Marching Band, as well as Concert, Symphonic, and Jazz students who are interested in joining Pep Band. Students will receive a “flippy” folder of pep tunes and will sight-read music that will be performed throughout the year.
Marching Band Camp: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. This event is important to attend. Students will learn and review the basics of marching, spinning flags, and will participate in the annual Band Olympics and various team-building activities. It’s super fun!
Marching Band is a secondary ensemble, meaning all instrumentalists (excluding colorguard) must be enrolled in a primary band ensemble (Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or Jazz Ensemble) to participate. It meets during 0 period every day, Monday–Friday, from 7:30–8:20 AM. No audition is required to join Marching Band, and prior band experience is encouraged but not required. Students interested in drumline will complete an audition to determine placement; instrumentation is limited.
The marching band comprises the majority of Pep Band, and participation in Pep Band is mandatory for all marching band students. Marching Band members perform at all home football games, school rallies, parades, competitions, graduation, and the highly-anticipated Little Big Game Field Show against Burlingame High. In the fall, Band and Colorguard perform together for parades. In the spring, the ensemble shifts to performing concert literature, similar to Concert and Symphonic Band, while Colorguard participates in a separate competitive indoor season called Winterguard, performing at various competitions throughout California.
Marching Band and Colorguard receives Visual and Performing Arts credit, fulfilling the “f” requirement for UC a-g admission.
Staff Contacts:
Drumline audition information will be posted to this page when it becomes available, and middle school teachers will be notified when auditions take place.
A limited supply of school-owned instruments is available for loan during the school year at no cost to families. Some instruments may not be available, and priority is given to students who are in financial need and qualify for free or reduced lunch. Percussion instruments are provided by default, though percussionists are expected to purchase their own drumsticks and practice pads. Wind instrumentalists—including students borrowing a school instrument—are expected to provide their own accessories, including reeds, cleaning swabs, valve oil, slide grease, and cork grease.
Purchasing your own instrument is strongly recommended whenever possible. A high-quality new or used instrument will likely last your student for the rest of their lifetime and is a worthwhile investment in their education and passion! Please see the SMHS Band Materials below for a complete list of materials needed for all band classes, as well as recommended instrument brands. Do not buy cheap instruments from Amazon! They often break and cannot be repaired by repair shops.
Pep Band Camp: Friday, August 14, 2026, 4:00 PM–8:00 PM. This event is for all instrumentalists in Marching Band, as well as Concert, Symphonic, and Jazz students who are interested in joining Pep Band. Students will receive a “flippy” folder of pep tunes and will sight-read music that will be performed throughout the year.
Marching Band Camp: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. This event is important to attend. Students will learn and review the basics of marching, spinning flags, and will participate in the annual Band Olympics and various team-building activities. It’s super fun!
Marching Band is a secondary ensemble, meaning all instrumentalists (excluding colorguard) must be enrolled in a primary band ensemble (Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or Jazz Ensemble) to participate. It meets during 0 period every day, Monday–Friday, from 7:30–8:20 AM. No audition is required to join Marching Band, and prior band experience is encouraged but not required. Students interested in drumline will complete an audition to determine placement; instrumentation is limited.
The marching band comprises the majority of Pep Band, and participation in Pep Band is mandatory for all marching band students. Marching Band members perform at all home football games, school rallies, parades, competitions, graduation, and the highly-anticipated Little Big Game Field Show against Burlingame High. In the fall, Band and Colorguard perform together for parades. In the spring, the ensemble shifts to performing concert literature, similar to Concert and Symphonic Band, while Colorguard participates in a separate competitive indoor season called Winterguard, performing at various competitions throughout California.
Marching Band and Colorguard receives Visual and Performing Arts credit, fulfilling the “f” requirement for UC a-g admission.
Staff Contacts:
- Band Director: Mr. Abada ([email protected])
- Colorguard Director: April Pietsch ([email protected])
- Drumline Coach: Joy Tupas ([email protected])
Drumline audition information will be posted to this page when it becomes available, and middle school teachers will be notified when auditions take place.
A limited supply of school-owned instruments is available for loan during the school year at no cost to families. Some instruments may not be available, and priority is given to students who are in financial need and qualify for free or reduced lunch. Percussion instruments are provided by default, though percussionists are expected to purchase their own drumsticks and practice pads. Wind instrumentalists—including students borrowing a school instrument—are expected to provide their own accessories, including reeds, cleaning swabs, valve oil, slide grease, and cork grease.
Purchasing your own instrument is strongly recommended whenever possible. A high-quality new or used instrument will likely last your student for the rest of their lifetime and is a worthwhile investment in their education and passion! Please see the SMHS Band Materials below for a complete list of materials needed for all band classes, as well as recommended instrument brands. Do not buy cheap instruments from Amazon! They often break and cannot be repaired by repair shops.
