Sonora High Golden Regiment Band
Donation protected
The Sonora High Golden Regiment Band is a tremendous source of community pride. The 90-member band conducts an average of 30 performances annually at parades, school events, community events, concerts, football & other sporting events. With Sonora High’s inclusion in the Mother Lode League (MLL), this number has grown by 7-10 performances annually to support playoff games.
Testifying to the unifying effects of the band, then Principal Pat Chabot proclaimed on 12/19/14, Wildcat Volleyball Day (as designated by the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors);
“The Sonora High School Golden Regiment Band, otherwise known as the “Most Awesome Band in the Universe” deserves some recognition here today also. The band played at all your home playoff matches, even during Thanksgiving break. They went with you to Notre Dame in Belmont for the NorCal final, but were delayed by the weather and traffic, so they missed your first set. As the San Mateo Times newspaper reported, and I quote: “Notre Dame seemed in control through a 10-point victory in set 1. That’s when the Golden Regiment marched in and set up shop. By set 2 the visiting pep band was in full swing with roughly 50 members, including 20 percussionists – proving a booming soundtrack as Sonora turned the tide in Game 2. Sonora never again trailed in the match” and we went on to win the match 3 games to 1. That’s the power of the Golden Regiment.
For the State Championship match in Orange County, we ordered one bus for the band and one bus for rooters. The band was so big it actually overflowed into the rooter’s bus. They went over 400 miles in each direction. They left at 4:00 in the morning and didn’t get back to Sonora until 11:30 that same night. Talk about dedication. Now, we all know the outcome of that championship match. During the awards ceremonies after the match, several people, including the state director of athletics commented on our band. We were the only school out of 10 that sent a band to the state championship. And it proved to be the right decision.”
The band is comprised of students from virtually every elementary school in Tuolumne County, with varying levels of musical experience and skill, but by mid-October, they become a unified team, a life-changing experience for many of the members, most of who participate during all 4 years of high school.
The Band is supported by the Sonora High Band Boosters, a 501 (c)(3) organization that raises funds through financial appeals, holiday fundraisers, snack shack and scrip sales.
Mission: The primary purpose of the Band Boosters is to assist the Band Director in the development of music excellence through the Golden Regiment Bands at Sonora Union High School. The Band Boosters accomplishes this by providing financial, logistical, and volunteer support in a transparent fashion for these programs and the students who participate in them.
The Boosters provides meals for students on game days, scholarships, Drum Major camp, additional uniforms, and supplies, but the largest annual expense is funding for the annual band trips. (The band alternates trip years between the larger band, and the smaller Jazz Band section). These trips provide an invaluable developmental experience to students.
In addition, this year, the organization has embarked on an ambitious effort to raise funds to replace aging instruments. Working with Band Director Yvonne Denton, the Boosters have identified brass instrument replacement as a high priority fundraising goal over the next several years, including Sousaphones, Trumpets and Saxophones.
The majority of the band’s instruments were purchased, used, in 1982, upon the advent of the Golden Regiment Band, led by Pat Sieben. These instruments have been put to the test- some are as many as 60 years old, and that age is beginning to show in high repair costs and poor performance. Help us reach our goal!
Testifying to the unifying effects of the band, then Principal Pat Chabot proclaimed on 12/19/14, Wildcat Volleyball Day (as designated by the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors);
“The Sonora High School Golden Regiment Band, otherwise known as the “Most Awesome Band in the Universe” deserves some recognition here today also. The band played at all your home playoff matches, even during Thanksgiving break. They went with you to Notre Dame in Belmont for the NorCal final, but were delayed by the weather and traffic, so they missed your first set. As the San Mateo Times newspaper reported, and I quote: “Notre Dame seemed in control through a 10-point victory in set 1. That’s when the Golden Regiment marched in and set up shop. By set 2 the visiting pep band was in full swing with roughly 50 members, including 20 percussionists – proving a booming soundtrack as Sonora turned the tide in Game 2. Sonora never again trailed in the match” and we went on to win the match 3 games to 1. That’s the power of the Golden Regiment.
For the State Championship match in Orange County, we ordered one bus for the band and one bus for rooters. The band was so big it actually overflowed into the rooter’s bus. They went over 400 miles in each direction. They left at 4:00 in the morning and didn’t get back to Sonora until 11:30 that same night. Talk about dedication. Now, we all know the outcome of that championship match. During the awards ceremonies after the match, several people, including the state director of athletics commented on our band. We were the only school out of 10 that sent a band to the state championship. And it proved to be the right decision.”
The band is comprised of students from virtually every elementary school in Tuolumne County, with varying levels of musical experience and skill, but by mid-October, they become a unified team, a life-changing experience for many of the members, most of who participate during all 4 years of high school.
The Band is supported by the Sonora High Band Boosters, a 501 (c)(3) organization that raises funds through financial appeals, holiday fundraisers, snack shack and scrip sales.
Mission: The primary purpose of the Band Boosters is to assist the Band Director in the development of music excellence through the Golden Regiment Bands at Sonora Union High School. The Band Boosters accomplishes this by providing financial, logistical, and volunteer support in a transparent fashion for these programs and the students who participate in them.
The Boosters provides meals for students on game days, scholarships, Drum Major camp, additional uniforms, and supplies, but the largest annual expense is funding for the annual band trips. (The band alternates trip years between the larger band, and the smaller Jazz Band section). These trips provide an invaluable developmental experience to students.
In addition, this year, the organization has embarked on an ambitious effort to raise funds to replace aging instruments. Working with Band Director Yvonne Denton, the Boosters have identified brass instrument replacement as a high priority fundraising goal over the next several years, including Sousaphones, Trumpets and Saxophones.
The majority of the band’s instruments were purchased, used, in 1982, upon the advent of the Golden Regiment Band, led by Pat Sieben. These instruments have been put to the test- some are as many as 60 years old, and that age is beginning to show in high repair costs and poor performance. Help us reach our goal!
Organizer and beneficiary
Angela Davis
Organizer
Sonora High Band Boosters
Beneficiary
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