The mission of Lathrop High School is to provide each student with a comprehensive education in a safe and supportive environment that promotes critical thinking, self-discipline, and accountability. Lathrop High School strives to prepare its students with the skills and abilities to be successful and become contributing members of their communities.
The Lathrop High School Music Department was established in 2008 with only 23 members in the Band and 16 members in choir. At that time, LHS had less than 500 9th and 10th grade students and the music department consisted of one band, one choir, and one piano class. Today, LHS has over 1400 students and the instrumental and vocal program have grown considerably encompassing grades 7th-12th. Ms. Desiree Bugarin, Director of Bands, teaches a piano class, marching band (fall), concert band, advanced band, and L.A.M.P. Band (Lathrop Area Music Program). Ms. Van Eerde, Director of Choirs teaches a piano class, Advanced Choir, Concert Choir, and L.A.M.P. Choir.
With the LHS Mission Statement in mind, one of the goals of the LHS Music Department is to hold our students accountable not only to the objectives of music education, but to also bring awareness to the importance of music in our local community. The LHS Band and Choir serves our community through a number of events including the Lathrop Holiday Parade, Lathrop Tree Lighting Ceremony, Lathrop Memorial Day Event in collaboration with the City of Lathrop - Parks and Recreation Department/Senior Center, Ghirardelli Chocolate Outlet Events, Manteca Holiday Parade, Lathrop Relay for Life, and the Lathrop Generations Center Events.
The LHS Band and Choir has performed at Sacramento State, UC Berkeley, Haggin Museum, San Joaquin Delta College, UOP, and the Stockton Arena. Some members of the LHS Band have also had the opportunity to perform at the Mondavi Center at UC Davis, San Jose State, and some members of the LHS Choir have performed at the Clovis North HS Performance Center, the UOP Music Conservatory, and Carnegie Hall!
If you're interested in finding out more about the Lathrop High Band or Choir or you are interested in booking an ensemble for your local event, please contact Desiree Bugarin at dbugarin@musd.net or Elizabeth Van Eerde evaneerde@musd.net.
(Please consider a two month advanced notice/request for booking an LHS ensemble. We graciously ask for you to consider making a donation to the music department.)
Video Credit - Ashley Gaspar Fall 2018
Video Credit - Spartan Nation 2017