Saratoga percussion students performing on the field

Saratoga color guard students performing with flags

Saratoga band students performing together

Saratoga orchestra students performing on stage

Saratoga brass students performing in the stands

Saratoga marching band performing on the field

Saratoga students gathered at a music trip activity

Saratoga music students and community members

Saratoga Music Boosters volunteers in the stands

Saratoga Music Boosters volunteers at a student event

Saratoga Music Boosters volunteers supporting student travel

Volunteers assisting families at a Saratoga music event

Saratoga marching band uniform volunteers

Saratoga Music Boosters

Supporting music education across Saratoga schools

SMB is an all-volunteer, charitable organization supporting music education across elementary, middle, and high school grades, including color guard, choir, band, orchestra, jazz, and percussion.

One community, every program

Helping music directors create meaningful opportunities for every student

Saratoga Music Boosters (SMB) was founded in 1974 to support Saratoga Union School District (SUSD) and Saratoga High School (SHS) by helping its music directors accomplish their visions to offer the best music programs, music clinics as well as many enriching opportunities to their students. This includes ensuring all music students have the possibility to attend important performances that require travel regardless of their family's financial situation.

2026-2027 updates

Current announcements

Messages and updates currently shared by Saratoga Music Boosters.

Superintendent Heath Rocha's Japan tour2026 farewell messages

2026 farewell message to students

As I reflect on these past two weeks, I am simply in awe of you.

I am in awe of your musical talent and academic excellence. But even more than that, I am in awe of your resilience, grit, character, and the way you cared for and supported one another throughout this journey.

If I could give each of you one gift, it would be the ability to see yourselves through the eyes of those who admire you.

I wish you could fully understand how remarkable you are.

I wish you could see the strength, courage, and potential that others see in you every day. I wish you could be as proud of yourselves as we are of you.

As we return home, I hope you carry with you more than memories of Japan. I hope you carry a deeper belief in yourselves.

Be proud of what you have accomplished.

Be grateful for the journey.

And never underestimate who you already are.

Superintendent Heath Rocha's Farewell Message of Music, Friendship, and Peace from Hiroshima, Japan

Today is our final concert in a country that has captured our hearts. The places we have visited have been unforgettable, but it is the people of Japan who have transformed this experience into far more than a tour. It has been a once-in-a-lifetime journey that will stay with us forever.

We gather in a place that reminds us of humanity's capacity for destruction. Yet through these students, we are reminded of humanity's even greater capacity - for connection, understanding, and peace.

This afternoon, students from Hijiyama High School and Saratoga High School have come together through a language that needs no translation: music.

When young people from different countries create music together, they show us what the future can be - not divided by our differences, but strengthened by them; not fearful of what makes us unique, but enriched by it.

Tonight, may the music we share honor the past, celebrate our friendship, and inspire hope for a more peaceful world.

If peace has a sound, perhaps it sounds something like this.

Programs

Music at every stage

Move directly into the program information families and students need most.

BandMarching, concert, jazz, and symphonic wind. ChoirProgram information, resources, and FAQs. OrchestraProgram information, resources, and FAQs. Color GuardGuard program information and FAQs. PercussionPercussion ensemble and winter percussion. SUSD MusicElementary and Redwood Middle School programs.

2025-2026 year in review

A year of music, community, and student growth

SMB helped fund the clinics, coaching, travel support, masterclasses, equipment, and performance opportunities that keep Saratoga music programs thriving from elementary school through high school.

Since 1974, Saratoga Music Boosters has partnered with music directors across Saratoga Union School District and Saratoga High School to turn ambitious program ideas into real student experiences.

That support includes world-class clinics, masterclasses, specialized coaching, essential equipment, and travel grants so qualifying musicians can participate in major performance tours regardless of their family's financial situation.

The Cookie Dough Fundraiser and SMB Pancake Breakfast continued to bring families, students, and neighbors together while raising vital program funds and showcasing every SUSD and SHS music program.

1974 SMB has supported Saratoga student musicians for more than five decades.

400+ RMS music students, representing nearly two-thirds of the middle school student body.

Japan SHS musicians traveled abroad for a two-week cultural exchange and performance tour.

Top 10 Winter Percussion World Class finished the season nationally ranked after WGI World Championships.

Saratoga High School

182Concert & Marching Band

168Orchestra

78Winter Percussion

47Jazz Band

36Choir

17Color Guard

16Winter Guard

Global spotlight

During the 2026 Japan Cultural Tour, SHS musicians attended local Japanese schools, took part in cultural exchanges, and shared music across borders.

State and regional honors

Thirteen SHS students were accepted into CASMEC All-State ensembles, including 7 in Band/Wind Ensemble and 6 in Orchestra. Six choir students were selected for All-State Choir, 10 for Regional Honors Choir, and 3 ninth graders for CMEA Bay Section Honor Choir.

Competitive milestones

Marching Band earned 1st Place at the Cupertino Tournament of Bands and 2nd Place at Sacramento State. SHS Choir received unanimous Superior ratings from independent adjudicators.

Professional mentorship

SMB-supported experiences included concerto competitions with 5 adjudicators, Chamber Music by the Bay, and work with alumni and clinicians including Vienna Teng, Tony Glausi, Ankush Bahl, Jay Wu Lee, Mike Galisatus, Dr. Mark Laycock, and Dr. Lauren Casey-Clyde.

SUSD & Redwood

SUSD music builds the foundation early, beginning with fifth grade instrumental music and continuing through a Redwood Middle School program with more than 400 enrolled students.

1755th Grade Instrumental

225RMS Band

191RMS Orchestra

30RMS Jazz Band

23RMS Choir

18RMS Color/Winter Guard

14RMS Winter Percussion

Real-world classrooms

Advanced middle school musicians attended a San Francisco Symphony live play-along performance of Pirates of the Caribbean, then deepened that experience through a Disney Recording Workshop in Los Angeles.

Middle school honors

Ten SUSD musicians were selected for CASMEC All-State ensembles, with 7 RMS Orchestra students and 3 RMS Band students accepted.

Performance growth

RMS Orchestra performed at the ASTA festival, Advanced Band played alongside SHS Band at a football game, and RMS Choir shared concert stages with SHS Choir and Jazz Band.

New milestones

RMS Color Guard and Winter Guard expanded their competitive routines, while the first-ever RMS Winter Percussion ensemble debuted at an NCPA event and closed its season at the SMB Pancake Breakfast.

Director's perspective

“It makes a massive difference that our kids come into middle school with a strong foundation on instruments starting all the way back in the 5th grade. The continuity of support from the Saratoga Music Boosters allows us to build a lifelong love for music, pushing our student ensembles to heights rarely seen at the public school level.”

Instrument coaches, custom arrangements, travel scholarships, masterclasses, and performance support are funded directly through community generosity.

Support Saratoga music

Help students keep making music

SMB and our music programs are grateful for your tax-deductible support and generosity in our 2026-2027 Benefactor Donations Drive. Any donation amount is welcome and appreciated. You can also double your impact with corporate matching!

SMB Benefactor Donations

You can now choose to donate online, or send your check donation with the benefactor donation form to your student’s music teacher.

Donate today Corporate matching Donation form

Online Program Contributions

Our 2026-2027 school year is here! Parents can now contribute with their credit card for their membership donation and music program contributions using the buttons above. Checks are always welcome, as there is a transaction fee administered by PayPal, our payment gateway.

SUSD Music Web Store SHS Music Web Store

Donations are fully tax deductible. SMB is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. EIN#: 51-0187615. Questions? Visit our Web Store FAQs.

Accolades & recognition

Midwest Clinic - Accolades & Recognition

The Midwest Clinic is an international conference that has been going on for nearly 80 years with 18-20k international attendees annually. Congratulations to Saratoga High Music Directors - Mr. Michael Boitz & Mr. Jason Shiuan, and the 50+ Saratoga Strings students for amazing accolades and recognition!

Certificate of Congressional Special Recognition for Saratoga Strings

Stay connected

Have questions?

If you would like to join our board, please visit our job description page for details of our board positions. There are still open positions for 2026-2027 year. Please visit our board members page for details.
For questions regarding donations, program contributions, tax receipts and volunteering, or for general questions about SMB, please contact our booster president.
For website issues and web content, please contact our webmaster.
For questions regarding SHS music programs, classes and calendar of events, please contact the corresponding music directors.
SUSD and Redwood music program information can be found here.