Keeping on Beat: January 2026

Happy New Year! We hope your family had a restful and joyful winter break. As we head into January, we are excited to welcome our students back and jump into a busy season of rehearsals, performances, and upcoming events. Thank you for your continued support of our music program as we start the new year strong.

The Solo and Ensemble festival is just around the corner! This is a special event hosted by SEMS for musicians to showcase their hard work and talent! Musicians from across the district are invited to perform and we need many volunteers to make the day successful.

Sign up to Volunteer: Solo & Ensemble Festival Volunteer Sign-up

8th Grade Band & Advanced Choir to Disneyland

Friday, January 23rd

Solo & Ensemble Festival at SEMS

Saturday, January 31st

The first half of the year accounts for the majority of our fundraising activity, and this year we’ve had so many wins! Not only did we exceed our $25,000 profit goal with the Poinsettia Fundraiser, but we have also raised approximately $48,500 toward our annual goal of $53,200.

Part of this success includes $8,500 from the Leighton Foundation Educational Grant, for which we are incredibly grateful. Their generosity will help cover expenses for the upcoming Solo & Ensemble Festival, spring festival fees, and will also help offset the cost of our spring concert venues.

We’re excited to announce that our band is now fundraising through Raise Right—a simple, passive way to support our program! With Raise Right, everyday purchases turn into earnings for our music department at no extra cost to you.

Click below for more information and to start supporting today.

Website: https://www.raiseright.com/

Organization Code: AFL187887L449

Thank you for helping us keep the music playing!

Starting December 1st, all field trip chaperones must be Level A. This is a District-wide policy which I have provided below.

New SMUSD Policy

Because volunteers who are chaperoning field trips have unsupervised contact with students, effective December 1, any volunteer interested in chaperoning a field trip must have Level A Clearance.

SMUSD is continuing to cover the cost of the LiveScan process for Level A volunteers. Additionally, to make LiveScan appointments more accessible, SMUSD has finalized a contract with three Postal Annex locations. These sites will now offer LiveScan services to volunteers on a walk-in basis, with evening and weekend hours available. Please see the flyer below.

All new Level A volunteer applicants will receive an email with the details of the three participating Postal Annex locations, including their addresses and operating hours.

Please let us know if you have any questions. Level B volunteers will be allowed through November. If you plan to volunteer for a field trip after Thanksgiving, please start this process by applying for Level A now. Here is the District website with the link- https://www.smusd.org/144243_3

• Monthly Booster Meeting February 4 (6pm)
• 78 Honor Band February 5-8
  
• Gig Jazz @ Tinleaf February 17
• Concert Band to SMUSD Festival February 25
• Golden Eagle Band to SMUSD Festival February 26
• Wind Symphony to SMUSD Festival February 27

Looking for an easy way to make a difference? Our directors have created an Amazon Wish List filled with items that directly benefit our students in band and choir. Every donation helps provide the tools and supplies needed to keep our music program strong and thriving.

Click here to view the list and support: Amazon Wish List

Thank you for helping us create more opportunities for our young musicians!

December 2025

November 2025
October 2025
September 2025

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: Indira Rocha-Ventura

Secretary: Janna Massoth

Fundraising Coordinator: Katie Stapko

Hospitality Coordinator: Stephanie Bussen & Tony Bussen

Media Master(s): Chelsea Lewis & Quyen Nicol

Volunteer Coordinator: Wendy Garafalo

Student Activities Coordinator: Rachel Boyle

Jazz Coordinator(s): Erene Mina & Deanna Petrochilos

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

Band Booster Meeting Minutes

September 2025

October 2025

November 2025

December 2025