Keeping on Beat: September 2025

We are thrilled to welcome all of our student musicians to the 2025–2026 school year! Our wonderful directors, Mrs. Anastasia Homes and Mrs. Shannon McInnis, have exciting plans in store and can’t wait to see the incredible growth each student will achieve. Year after year, our musicians rise to the challenge of performing more complex and engaging pieces, and this year will be no exception. We look forward to another fantastic year of learning, growing, and making music together!

Solo & Ensemble Kickoff
The Solo & Ensemble program kicks off the week of September 8 for all 7th and 8th grade Music Program students. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to perform solo or in small groups, build confidence, and collaborate with peers. The festival will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2025 at SEMS. Students will receive guidance from Mrs. Homes and Mrs. McInnis in selecting and preparing music.

Friar Tux Uniform Fittings
To be performance-ready, students in Concert Band, Golden Eagle Band, and Wind Symphony will need formal concert attire. Advanced Choir students wearing black pants/shirt and Jazz Band students choosing the black shirt may also order through Friar Tux.

• Fitting Day: Friday, September 12 (on campus)

• Bring: Completed order form

• Delivery: Orders will be delivered to SEMS before Picture Day on October 24

Find order forms and more details at semsband.com/concert-attire.

If your child is beginning band, they'll need to have a SEMS band shirt. Shirts can be purchased here: https://semsbandandchoir.square.site/band-and-choir-spirit-wear

Did you know there are 329 students in the music program! Our goal is to raise $50,000 to help with coaches, concerts, festivals, transportation, and more! This is why we fundraise, so every dollar counts!

Welcome Back Campaign

• We raised $3,200 during the Welcome Back Days! Our goal is to hit $5,000 so if you're still interested in donating directly to our students, click here: https://semsbandandchoir.square.site/donations

Annual Homecoming Jazz Band Dine-Out Fundraiser

This is happening Tuesday, September 16th, from 5:00–9:00 PM at Pizza Nova (141 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos).

🎶 Jazz Band Performances:

• 6:00–6:45 PM House/Cafe Peforms

• 7:15–8:00 PM Gig Performs

This is one of the easiest ways to support the SEMS Music Program because all you have to do is mention SEMS Music Program when ordering/paying, and Pizza Nova will donate 25% of your bill back to our students!

👉 Families don’t need to be in Jazz Band to attend. Invite your friends and neighbors for dinner, enjoy live jazz, and help raise funds for our musicians.

🎺 Special Homecoming Tradition: All SEMS Band alumni are encouraged to join in and play with the Jazz Band!

Let’s pack the restaurant, enjoy some music, and raise money for our students!

Open Roles

• (PRIORITY) Fundraising Coordinator – Take the lead on our fundraising efforts to support the music program. The annual Poinsettia Drive is one of the key projects you’ll oversee.
• Parent Volunteer Coordinator – Organize sign-ups and share information with families for important events like Picture Day and the Solo & Ensemble Festival.
• Student Activities Coordinator – Help coordinate the details for student events such as field trips and other extracurricular activities.

Good to know

• Team up with a friend because these roles can be shared.

• You won’t start cold: binders, notes, and templates are ready.

• New parent leaders will help keep our program thriving this year!

Interested?
Email semsbandpresident@gmail.com

• Wednesday October 1: Booster Meeting in SEMS PAC 6pm​

• Friday October 24: Band and Choir Picture Day

  • Photos taken during class periods 0-7​

  • Big all music department photo taken after school in the SEMS Circle (please stay if you can for about 15-20 min)

• Tuesday October 28: SMHS Knight Regiment Marching Band @ SEMS 7am-12pm​

• Tuesday October 28: Gig Jazz Dine Out @ Bushfire Kitchen La Costa 6-8pm

Your child should have grabbed a calendar at Welcome Back day, but please make sure you keep a copy handy for important dates throughout the year! Copies of all calendars down below!

Please note: the dates on these updated schedules differ from the paper versions you received at Welcome Back Day. Be sure to reference these updated PDFs for the correct Solo & Ensemble and Choir Disneyland Field Trip dates.

The Music Boosters are a nonprofit that supports the San Elijo Middle School Band and Choir programs. We help fund, organize, and support our 400+ student musicians in class and at events.

Booster meetings are held monthly in the SEMS PAC — all are welcome! Check the calendar for dates. Please click here to read our Organizational Bylaws.

President(s): Sally Schifman & Laura Dassrath

Treasurer: Ashley Cornes

Assistant Treasurer: TBD

Secretary: Janna Massoth

Fundraising Coordinator: Open Position

Hospitality Coordinator: Stephanie Bussen & Tony Bussen

Media Master(s): Chelsea Lewis & Quyen Nicol

Volunteer Coordinator: Open Position

Student Activities Coordinator: Open Position

Jazz Coordinator(s): Erene Mina & Deanna Petrochlos

Boosters At Large: Katie Marroquin, Christina Marroquin, Andrea Dunning, Priscilla Nuno

Band Booster Meeting Minutes

September 2025