2025-26 Foothill High School Music Program’s Newsletter
A Note from our Booster President:
We have completed the first full week of school and the strings, band & guard students are already going strong! This year we have welcomed 15 new 8th graders into the marching program and had an amazing parent turn out for our All Strings, Band & Guard Family Pancake Breakfast and our Parent Kick Off Meeting. Here is a link to the slide deck we shared at the meeting: Kick Off Slide Show with all booster email addresses
*Cheers to a great school year! In partnership with you,
Cheryl Goebel, FHS Band Booster President along with your AMAZING Booster Board Members
Volunteering:
Our program is run by two amazing music directors and by YOU, our mighty parent volunteers. To get yourself connected all families should fill out this Parent Volunteer Form.
All Ensembles Fundraising:
- If you haven’t paid your Student Share please plan to do so, we depend on these funds to function. Questions about Student Share, ask our treasurer: treasurer.student@foothillmusic.org
- Vertical Raise is coming! You should have received an email via CutTime on Sat. evening. This is an opportunity to get much needed program sponsorships from people in addition to our immediate program parents. Program runs from 8/27-9/27
- Another way to contribute is to sponsor a Band Review trophy in your name via this form:
Foothill Fall Band Review Trophy Sponsorship.docx.pdf
Please reach out to our VP of Fundraising with any questions, contacts, or ideas! fundraising@foothillmusic.org
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
8/18 Mon DUE TODAY! Marching Band & Guard Uniform Form
8/23 Sat 4:30-6pm Drill Master Shoe Fitting, marching band students during dinner break
8/27 Wed FHS Back To School Night
8/27 Wed 4:15pm Call Time Honors Jazz Students FHS BTSN performance
8/27 – 9/27 Vertical Raise All Program Fundraiser!
9/6 Sat 4:30-6pm Mandatory Marching Uniform Fitting Day (during dinner break)
9/12 Fri Evening Football Game Pep Band
10/4 Sat Honors Jazz Band at NCBA Antioch (Time TBA: likely AM)
10/15 Wed 7pm Fall Concerts for Honors Wind Ensemble and Honors String Orchestra
10/18 Sat 8am Marching Band Picture Day
10/25 Sat All Day, FHS Band Review
Band Review *Saturday, October, 25th. All families (strings, bands & guard) and students are required to help. Save the date! *Sign Up Here: Band Review Sign Up
Marching Band & Guard Uniforms, Shoes and Show Shirts Form
***All marching & guard students fill out this form, due NOW: ***
Uniform, Shoes, & Show Shirt form REQUIRED
Honors Jazz/Jazz B
Honors Jazz will be playing at Back to School Night 8/27 – Call Time: 4:15pm
Jazz B has been working on new music and is currently looking for 3 more saxophone players. If you are interested, please inquire with Mr. Nishimori by emailing enishimori@pleasantonusd.net
Honors Symphony Orchestra
Reading new music for the year. Working with potential coaches.
First concert is October 15th in FHS MPR at 7pm
String Orchestra
Seating auditions are in progress. Should be done next week.
Honors Wind Ensemble
Reading new music for the year. New coaches will be coming in to work with students in the next couple of weeks.
Working on Pep tunes to prepare for the first Football Game on Friday 9/12
First concert is October 15th in FHS MPR at 7pm
Symphonic Band
Reading new music for the year. New coaches will be coming in to work with students in the next couple of weeks.
Working on Pep tunes to prepare for the first Football Game on Friday 9/12
Concert Band
Seating auditions are in progress. Should be done next week. New coaches will be coming in to work with students in the next couple of weeks.
Working on Pep tunes to prepare for the first Football Game on Friday 9/12
Marching Band and Color Guard
Rehearsal Reminders
- Parents are welcome and encouraged to come and watch at the end of each Tue, Thur, & Sat rehearsal, around 8pm typically
- Rehearsal ends at 9:00 p.m. We aim to have students leaving the field by then, followed by announcements. Please allow extra time for them to walk equipment from the stadium to the band room, as it can vary. Thank you for your patience and support!
Uniforms
Marching Band & Guard Uniforms, Shoes and Show Shirts Form All marching & guard students fill out this form, due NOW: Uniform, Shoes, & Show Shirt form REQUIRED
Drill Master Shoe Fitting Day, Sat. Aug. 23
*Returning band students who want to use their drill masters from last season MUST bring them on 8/23 to confirm they still fit.
If your student needs to order new drill masters, please send them with cash or check payable to FHS Band Boosters. The cost for new drill masters is $50 (including taxes and shipping).
*All band students need to have drill masters shoes for marching band.
Send your student to marching band practice WITH
1. Dinner or drop off dinner
2. $50 in cash or check to order drill masters
3. Returning students must bring their drill masters from last year to confirm they still fit and are in acceptable condition
Uniform Fitting Day, Sat., Sep. 6 rehearsal dinner break (4:30-6pm)
Marching Band students will be staying on campus Sat. 8/23 for the rehearsal dinner break (4:30-6pm) to size and order their drill masters marching black shoes (required) OR to confirm their current drill masters still fit and are in acceptable shape. (Note: Guard students wear different shoes)
Photography & Media
Hey Parents! The Media team needs parents to help take pictures at events!
Of particular need: those in the specialized ensembles (Concert, Jazz, Orchestra, Symphonic and Winds). You don’t need a fancy camera (your cellphone works better than you think!). All you need is to be willing to attend the event, and video the performance.
If you’re willing to volunteer, please reach out to photography@foothillmusic.org
- Photographs of all Band events can be found on **Flickr. **
- Videos will be uploaded to this Youtube Playlist for each performance. **
**Please note that most videos will be marked private, and are un-searcheable on the platform until the band season is over.
Marching Band & Color Guard Picture Day
The Marching Band and Color Guard will have group and individual picture day with Photo 360 on Saturday, October 18th, at 8:00 a.m. Order forms will be distributed to students as we get closer to the date.
Golden State Warriors Half Time Performance
We’ve been invited to perform at halftime for the Golden State Warriors!
Date TBD — stay tuned for details from Mr. Fagundes.
Fall Band Review
This is our biggest event of the year, and we need everyone’s help.
– All families & students are required to participate.
– Critical volunteer roles still open: Parade Lead & Concessions Lead (at Amador)
Sign up Genius is here: Band Review Sign Up Form
All Parents Invited to Weekly Planning Meetings!
Next Meeting: Wed Aug 20, 7pm – Foothill Campus Room C-6 (or join via Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/rqp-zxzp-ovh).
Vertical Raise Fundraising Program
**We are about to embark on our first big music program fundraiser of the year: Vertical Raise! **
Each music student will have their own webpage with a photo and links to donate to the music program. Set up & orientation: Mon Aug 25 in the band room. Students will be expected to have:
– List of emails & phone numbers of friends/family (parent/guardians please help provide these to your student)
-Photo of themself (preferably in band dress)
– Positive energy!**
**More info in this flyer:
Parent Letter – VR 2025.pdf
That’s it for The Falcon Beat this week — thank you for your energy, time, and support in making Foothill Music thrive. Go Falcons!
Please bookmark these newsletters for reference. If someone in the program is not receiving this letter, first have them check spam, then email president@foothillmusic.org or communications@foothillmusci.org to be added to the distribution list.