Winter Guard

Course Description

San Mateo High School has the only Winter Guard program in the San Mateo Union High School District. The Winterguard competes in the California Colorguard Circuit (CCGC) and the Northern California Band Association (NCBA) winter circuit.

The San Mateo High School Winterguard won the 2006 NCBA Winterguard Championship in the Amateur Division. They compete throughout the Bay Area with other Northern California high schools. The Winterguard season runs from January to early April.

The Winterguard is instructed by San Mateo Alumna, April Pietsch with choreography by Ben Wilkinson. The dedicated teams practice several hours a week outside of the normal school day. Practice for Winterguard is held every morning at 7AM, in addition to extra practices on Sunday afternoons.

No experience is necessary. Anyone who is dedicated, hard working, wants to have fun, and is willing to practice is encouraged to join. For more information regarding the Winterguard program, please contact the guard directors at guardadvisor@bearcatbands.org.

Grades: 9 - 12

Required Forms

• Participation Agreement
• Medical Emergency Information Form

Required Performances

• TBD

Past Shows

2006 - "Tarzan" - Instructors: April Pietsch & Ben Wilkinson
2006 - "Aladdin" - Instructors: April Pietsch & Ben Wilkinson

2005 - "Top Gun" - Instructor: April Pietsch

2004 - "Matrix" - Instructor: April Pietsch

2003 - "Mulan" - Instructor: April Pietsch

2002 - "Centerstage" - Instructors: April Pietsch & Jacquelyn Thomas

1999 - "Grease" - Instructor: Danny George

1998 - "Good Morning Vietnam" - Instructor: Danny George

1997 - "Sister Act" - Instructor: Danny George

1996 - "Star Wars" - Insturctor: Danny George & Jenny Speasl

1995 - "Mystere" -Instructors: Kristen Olson & Stacey Chew

1994 - Instructor: Donna Del Grande

1993- "Love" - Advisor: Marge Kranzfielder