Ensembles

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR As a Foothill High School alumnus himself, Mr. Tim Thomas led his high school band as the Drum Major and returned in 2015 as an educator to lead the instrumental and Color Guard programs. When not in the classroom, parade route, or field directing the band and Color Guard during football season, Mr. Thomas serves our country in the California Army National Guard.

ABOUT THE COLOR GUARD ADVISOR Ali Stanley was a member of Color Guard and Winter Guard teams throughout high school, and now serves as the Foothill High School Color Guard and Winter Guard artistic advisor. When not directing the art of tossing flags, rifles, and sabres, Ali volunteer ushers at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts as a fun way to see her favorite musicals.

ABOUT THE DRUMLINE AND PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR **More Details Coming Soon**

BAND

CONCERT BANDS | Advanced Band and Wind Ensemble 

Students study and perform music written for varying combinations of wind and percussion instruments. Concerts typically include works for small groups as well as those for full symphonic orchestra. Second semester includes rehearsal and performance of literature written for large jazz ensemble. Music will also include works for small jazz combos. 

JAZZ BANDS | Stage Band and Jazz Ensemble

Students rehearse and perform with emphasis on methods and materials. Course provides a laboratory setting for student arrangers and composers. 

MARCHING BAND 

P.E./Band is a fall semester course that satisfies up to two years of the Physical Education graduation requirement. Performances during assemblies and pep rallies occur in the middle of the school day, performances on the field occur during the home football games while those in the stands occur during away football games, which are generally Friday evenings, and parade and band review performances occur on weekends.

COLOR GUARD

Color Guard combines dance and the use of equipment, such as flags, rifles, and sabres in order to create musical performances. Foothill’s Color Guard performs field shows at football games and participates in marching parade competitions alongside Band in the fall season. In spring, Winter Guard competes in the WGASC circuit and performs at several competitions, including Championships.

The Color Guard and Winter Guard teams are under the direction of Tim Thomas and the show is designed and taught by instructor Ali Stanley.  

ORCHESTRA

Symphonic Band is designed for the student with limited musical experience who wants to develop and practice basic instrumental technique. Musicianship will be stressed. Public performance is a part of the training.  Concert Orchestra is an ensemble devoted to the study and performance of music written for varying combinations of string instruments. Chamber Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra are courses designed for students in need of additional and articulated levels of orchestra for an ensemble. These courses are devoted to the study and performance of music written for orchestral string instruments. Students acquire skills in reading music notation and develop ensemble techniques including articulation, balance, phrasing, expression, bow technique and accompanying. Concerts include works for the full ensemble representative of standard orchestral literature as well as contemporary works and original works by students. 

Concert Mistress: Isabella Lazar