Band Camp is held at Newbury Park High School (meet in the band room, M2) for 2 weeks from Aug 13 - Aug 24 with the following time schedule:

Monday, August 13 - Friday, August 17        8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday, August 20 - Thursday, August 23    8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday, August 24                                         8:00 am - 3:00 pm

The students will receive a one hour lunch break each day of band camp. Band Camp will end early on Friday, August 24 (3:00 p.m.) to prepare for the Family Potluck and Performance at 6:00 pm in the NPHS cafeteria.  Click on the flyer to find out what your family can bring.

Students should bring lunch, water and sunscreen, instrument, a 3-ring binder (to hold music) and a DOT book (except PIT) to band camp. A DOT book is a small memo pad (3"x5" wirebound) where you write your drill spot. Click here for a picture of a dot book. What is a drill spot? This is the location you are marching to on the field for each set? What is a set? It is a sequence of marching in which you begin at one point (on your dot book) and end at another (on your dot book). During band camp, students will be learning their competitive field show for this season.  In addition, students will continue to develop their basic skills for marching and music.  The requirements of our pre-game performances will also be taught during this time.

For all students who want to be in Marching Band, FULL ATTENDANCE at band camp is MANDATORY.  No student will be excluded from the Marching Band, but students who do not attend band camp will not be charted into the halftime/competition show.  These students will become alternates for the show, and will only be allowed to perform in the stands and during pre-game at the football games.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Mr. Crystal at (805) 498-3676, ext. 2002 or by email at dcrystal@conejo.k12.ca.us

Each marching band instrumentalist is provided with a band uniform.  Each piece of the uniform has a corresponding number in our records. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain his/her uniform in good condition and be responsible for it while in their possession.

Instructions for the proper care and fitting of the band uniform, uniform fees, required uniform articles, and uniform etiquette are outlined in the Uniform Policy.  (See below to download a copy of the Uniform Policy.)

Colorguard members usually purchase a new uniform each year to coordinate with the field show.  (Purchase information for Colorguard uniforms will be posted when it is available.)

• Download Uniform Policy   2007 - 2008 Season

You must have Adobe Reader to view or print this file.  If you do not have Adobe Reader, you can download it for free.

The Instrumental Music Department requires the most active booster club with one of the largest budgets of any group on campus.  Maintaining an active program requires support and funding beyond what the school system provides.  Panther Band Parents, our booster organization, is a nonprofit corporation which helps provide this support.

Due to the difficulty in raising the large sums of money required to support our program, each student will be asked to pay pledges to cover their "fair share" of the program expenses.

All pledges paid to Panther Band Parents are tax deductible.

We utilize a student account system, similar to the ones used by other schools in our district (and like most schools across the country).  Pledges due will appear on your student account statement.  Fund raising opportunities are provided for students to earn money that will be credited to their individual student account.  Student Account credits may be used to pay current or future pledges.

Materials & Lab Pledge

All students enrolled in the Instrumental Music Department are asked to pay an annual $75.00 Materials & Lab Pledge.  This pledge is paid once per year regardless of the number of ensembles in which the student is enrolled.  Pledges are used to offset the cost of maintaining, repairing, and purchasing instruments and equipment owned by NPHS that is used by all the ensembles. In addition, it helps offset costs to purchase music for all ensembles, awards, and booster expenses (Refer to the Handbook for further information.) 

• Materials and Lab Pledge form   2007 - 2008 Season

Marching Band Participation Pledge

Participation pledges for the 2007 marching season are $600.00 for each Marching Band member (instrumentalists and colorguard).  Pledges cover marching band expenses including an overnight trip within California for WBA State Championships, usually in mid-November.  Pledges may be paid all at once, or on a payment schedule. 

• Marching Band Participation Pledge Fall 2007

All Marching Band members (instrumentalists and colorguard) must pay a district imposed transportation fee of $103.00.  Marching Band instrumentalists also pay a separate uniform fee of $70.00.  Colorguard members do not pay the district uniform fee, but are responsible for the cost of their uniform.

• Download District Fees Payment Instructions

Also found on the Schedules page.

• Marching Band Rehearsals 2008 Season - To Be Provided
• Marching Band Performances 2008 Season - To Be Provided

The 2006 NPHS Marching Band & Colorguard show is titled "Automaton" which is defined as is a self-operating machine. The word is sometimes used to describe a robot, more specifically an autonomous robot. It also refers to a mindless follower.  All of the music has been composed specifically for the NPHS students by Mr. Bill Garcia, NPHS Band director. The  "Automaton" show is a seven movement composition that depicts the members of the band as mindless robotic factory workers, brought to life by the music and motion. The robots grow more human and expressive with the music and the choreography.  The graphic that appears here and on the band & colorguard member T-shirts was designed by Dawn Garcia.

Designed by Dawn Garcia.

Instructional Staff

Director: Bill Garcia, Percussion, Dawn Garcia, Brian Dinkel, Justin Burks Colorguard: Josh DeGuzman, Megan Feldmann Marching: Scott Plambeck, Jessica Sapinoso (& woodwinds), Darren Weber (& brass)

Drum Majors

Mary Mills, Max Fisch

Colorguard Captains

Lynsey Mikels, Melanie Linnemeier

1st Movement
The mechanical sounds are introduced by the racks with empty propane tanks. The band and guard perform a "robot" dance. The factory setting is emphasized.

2nd Movement
This music is a contrast to the opening, meant as a normal/regular sound. Heather Dichirico plays a solo on the vibraphone.

3rd Movement
This is the first of 2 short percussion features of the snares, tenors and bass drums. Precision and mechanical movement are emphasized. Lynsey Mikels opens the movement with a six spin rifle toss.

4th Movement
This movement tells the story of the interaction of the robots as they become more human. Leandra Dichirico plays a baritone solo; Aurora Ginzburg uses her swing flag to express the emotion of the movement. Liana Meeker plays an alto sax solo, also illustrating the quest to become more human. Lynsey Mikels uses her swing flag to lead the pack.

5th Movement
This is the second percussion feature emphasizing the pit instruments, especially the mallet percussion. The entire band does a "break-out" dance, led by Becky DeCuir, to illustrate the shedding of the robotic-like life towards the human element.

6th Movement
James Walker and Liana Meeker perform an alto sax duet, while Melanie Linnemeier uses the bright yellow flag to show her individuality. She displays the only "color" on the field as the rest of the band still acts robotic.

7th Movement
In the last and final movement, the robots become more human and express their human qualities by dancing a "hip-hop/groove". The show ends as all the robots/humans become free.

The 2005 NPHS Marching Band & Colorguard show is "Sakura" which means Cherry Blossom in Japanese.  All of the music has been composed specifically for the NPHS students by Mr. Bill Garcia, NPHS Band director.  "Sakura" is a four movement composition that describes nature as full of life, energy and also peaceful at the same time.  The graphic that appears here and on the band & colorguard member T-shirts was designed by Dawn Garcia.

Designed by Dawn Garcia.

Instructional Staff

Bill Garcia, Josh DeGuzman, Dawn Garcia, Jessica Sapinoso, Scott Plambeck, Brian Dinkel

Drum Majors

Lauren DeOlivera, Scott Oatley

Colorguard Captains

Tiffani Sandoval, Megan Feldman

1st Movement - Dream of the Cherry Blossoms
The introduction features a Taiko drum opening to accentuate the Japanese flavor of the show. It is fast tempo music similar to a folk dance and the beauty and happiness of nature.

2nd Movement - Akatombo (Butterfly)
This music is a complete contrast to the opening; it is quiet, peaceful and introspective. It features a flute solo by Rachel Ferguson and a clarinet solo by Max Fisch. Two colorguard members have solo performances: Tiffani Sandoval and Erin Ivie. The music and solos are meant to highlight the calmness and inner peace of nature.

3rd Movement - Umi (Sea)
This is an upbeat musical piece that emphasizes the percussion section. The marimba, vibraphone, bells, and timpany all are major parts of this piece. The snare, tenor and base drums play a major role here also. The music reflects the many facets to the sea and the movement and interaction of the life in the water.

4th Movement - Ware Wa Umi No Ka (I am a child of the Sea)
This musical piece begins slowly with a baritone solo by Stephen Robertson. It then picks up the pace with the saxophone section (14 members) as it describes a folk dance (as in the 1st movement) with upbeat tempo but not overly aggressive tones. Another baritone solo by Stephen Robertson continues the happy upbeat tempo. It also has an 8 bar "hip-hop" section towards the ends which the band members enjoy showing expression and non-traditional dance movements. The ending is full of loud chords and strong musical notes; a more traditional band sound. Sakura shows the harmony and beauty of a Cherry Blossom tree; how to enjoy it in a festive and peaceful way.

The 2004 NPHS Marching Band & Colorguard performed a show entitled "Water".  All of the music has been composed specifically for the NPHS students.  "Water" is a five movement composition that portrays the many different aspects of water and how they relate to all people.  (Click here to view this season's competition results.)

Designed by Jenny Sapinoso, a 2003 NPHS graduate and 4 year Marching Band member.

Instructional Staff

Bill Garcia, Paul Curci, Josh DeGuzman, Dawn Garcia, Mike Grogan, Scott Quintana, Kassi Swainston

Drum Majors

Jessica Sapinoso, Darren Weber

Colorguard Captains

Tiffani Sandoval, Ashley Snell

Drumline Captains

Justin Burks, Joe Hauser, Kelly Slane

Section Leaders

Flutes	Rachel Ferguson
Clarinets	Leandra Dichirico
Alto Saxophones	David DeJulio
Tenor Saxophones	Jessica Sapinoso
Trumpets	Matt Mills
Mellophones	Emily Schmidt
Low Brass	Darren Weber
Pit	Joe Hauser, Kelly Slane
Snares	Justin Burks
Tenors	Britt Dahlgren
Basses	Aaron Greenwood

The introduction is a short piece featuring mellophone (Emily Schmidt), trumpet (Matt Mills) and baritone (Darren Weber) solos.  This piece also gives a brief explanation of what our entire show will be about.

The first movement is entitled "Science".  This movement is very minimalist in melodic and harmonic structure.  It uses only four pitches throughout the entire piece (A flat, B flat, D flat, and E flat) and is also very mechanical sounding with the rhythmic approach.  With this movement, we are trying to express the chemical and physical properties of water.

The second movement, entitled "Human", was designed to be in direct contrast with the first movement and features our pit section with alto saxophone (David DeJulio) and flute (Rachel Ferguson) solos.  This piece expresses the way water helps express emotions.

The third movement is entitled "Death" and features the drumline.  This piece shows the more violent side of water relating it to floods, drowning and tsunamis.  The main melodic content of this piece was inspired by the "Dies Irae" melody.  Dies Irae is the Latin term for "Day of Wrath".

The fifth and final movement is entitled "Art".  With this movement we are expressing how water has many different shapes, textures, colors and forms.  In the middle of this piece, the hornline plays a choral that is based on the opening solos from our introduction.  At the end of the movement, themes from the previous four movements are brought back to recap what has been expressed throughout the show.

Also included throughout each movement of the show are narrations and sound effects.  These narrations and sound effects help explain what we are trying to show in each movement.  All of the narrations in the show are spoken by current band and colorguard members who have had their voices recorded into a digital sampler.

The 2003 Marching Band & Colorguard had an outstanding competitive season.  Competing in the Western Band Association (WBA), they were undefeated, winning the WBA State Championship for Class A in November 2003.   (Click here for results from all competitions.)

In addition to winning the championship, they received awards for Outstanding General Effects, Outstanding Colorguard, and Outstanding Percussion.  They also received the highest score in their division for Ensemble Music and Ensemble Visual, and were only seven tenths of a point away from taking every caption award.

The field show, entitled "Mosaic Offering", featured music arranged by Bill Garcia, Director.  Instructional staff included: Paul Curci, Josh DeGuzman, Mike Gangemi, Dawn Garcia and Scott Quintana.

Student leaders were:
Drum Majors - Jessica Sapinoso and Darren Weber
Colorguard Captain - Ashley Snell
Drumline Captains - Natalie Faltin and Tyler Mays