Parents, please use this website to check on upcoming performances, events and performance trips!
Monday-
Tuesday-
Wednesday-
Thursday- 7/8 Grade Band Disney Rehearsal 3-4 p.m.
Friday-
Saturday-
Sunday-
Upcoming Performances/Events/News:
What do I bring on the 2026 Disney Trip?!
1) You will need Money For:
a) Lunch and Dinner “Fast-food” (May 18th)
b) Lunch and Dinner in California Adventure/Disneyland (May 19th)
c) Spending Money in California Adventure/Downtown Disney
d) Disneyland Accepts cash, cards, and Disney gift cards
2) What to Bring:
a) You will need their formal uniform, black Savage Polo, black pants/skirt, black socks/tights, black dress shoes.
Your entire formal uniform shirt/pants/socks/shoes must be in its own separate bag. This bag will be waiting for you on the bus in your seat backstage in Disney.
c) Band/Orchestra T-Shirt for free-time in Disneyland.
d) Bring something to sleep in. Everyone has roommates now.
e) All bathroom stuff, toothbrushes/paste, hair stuff, deodorant etc…
f) Any medications, or inhalers. All medications, inhalers, Tylenol etc. need to be listed on the students’ medical information form.
h) Phone chargers! Plug-in/portable (ok to bring into Disneyland)
3) Everything must have your name on it!!! Instrument/Luggage/Uniform Bag!!!
Congratulations to our Savage Bands and Orchestras on their outstanding Spring Concert Performances!!!
Congratulations to the Savage Jazz Band for being selected to perform at the 2026 Modesto State of the City Address!!! The Jazz Band performed an amazing 30 minute set for the Modesto community and dignitaries in the historic State Theater downtown.
The Jazz Band was then selected to represent the Sylvan School District at the 2026 Stanislaus County School Board Awards Dinner. The Jazz Band performed an outstanding 45 minute set for our counties School Board Members and Superintendents. Multiple times Mr. Holtan was asked "What High School is this Jazz Band from?" Congrats Jazz Band!!!
Congratulations to the Savage Drumline on their outstanding performance at the Central Valley Percussion Championships this past Saturday March 28th! The Drumline finished with their highest score of the season to take the 2026 Jr. High Marching Percussion Championship! Congrats Drumline!
Congratulations to the Savage Band and Orchestra students on their outstanding Stanislaus County Honor Band and Orchestra performances at Modesto Jr. College on Saturday January 31st!!!
Savage Symphonic Band
2026 Disney
Rehearsal Schedule
Friday May 8th 3:00-4:00 p.m. Savage Bandroom
Thursday May 14th 3:00-4:00 p.m. Savage Bandroom
1st and 4th period band students who are attending the Disneyland Performance trip will be rehearsing two afternoons from 3-4 p.m. These rehearsals are required for all to ensure all percussion parts are covered and wind players know their exact Disney seating and music stand placement.
Chuck Holtan, Director of Bands, Savage Middle School
Disney Dates:
May 18th, 19th, 20th 2026
The Band and Orchestra will perform in Disney California Adventure on Tuesday May 19th.
Congratulations to our Savage Band and Orchestra!!!
Both ensembles have been selected to perform
in Disneyland, California Adventure
on May 19th 2026!!!
Savage Jazz Band
Spring Performances
2026
Thursday April 16th Modesto State of the City Performance:
The State Theater (1307 J Street Modesto)
Report- 4:00 p.m.
Performance- 4:30 p.m.
Finish- 5:15 p.m.
Monday April 20th Spring Orchestra Concert:
Savage Middle School Gym
Report- 5:45 p.m.
Performance- 7:00 p.m.
Finish- 8:15 p.m.
Wednesday April 22nd Stanislaus County School Board Dinner:
Martin Peterson Event Center (720 12th Street Modesto)
Report- 4:30 p.m.
Performance- 5:15 p.m.
Finish- 6:00 p.m.
Thursday April 23rd Spring Band Concert:
Savage Middle School Gym
Report- 5:45 p.m.
Performance- 7:00 p.m.
Finish- 8:15 p.m.
The Jazz Band will be wearing our formal black uniform for the performances above. I will be sending home individual flyers with more detailed information for each performance as we near each performance date.
Thank you for supporting these outstanding musicians!
Chuck Holtan
2025 Daniel J. Savage Middle School
Back to School Night
Welcome to the Savage Instrumental Music Program. We are up and running and we are beginning rehearsals in the most amazing Middle School rehearsal room in the county!
I am looking forward to another great year continuing the Savage Music Program’s Tradition of Excellence.
Class/Rehearsal Expectations:
-Students need to be at school/rehearsal (students can’t learn if they aren’t here)
-Students must have their instrument in class.
-Students must have their music book and 3-ring music binder in class.
Performance Expectations:
-Students are expected to attend all performances for their ensemble(s)
-Students will have their instrument/music/uniform ready to perform.
-All students help “tear-down/pack up” after all performances.
7/8 Grade Uniforms- Students will need black dress pants/skirts (no denim). Students will need black dress shoes with black socks. We will be wearing matching Savage Music Performance Polos Shirts, the cost is approximately $20. 6th Grade Concert Dress- Students will wear white collared shirts and black or dark blue pants, ladies may wear white and/or black dresses.
The Savage Band and Orchestra Performance Calendar is posted on the Savage Music Website. https://www.sylvan.k12.ca.us/schools/savage Go to activities and click on “Band”. This calendar outlines all major concerts, and competitions for the 2025-2026 school year. Students will receive information sheets before each performance that will contain exact report times, performance times, directions, and dress attire.
Please visit the Savage Band and Orchestra Website at: https://sites.google.com/sylvan.k12.ca.us/savage-instrumental-music
for the most current band and orchestra information. All handouts that are sent home with students will also be posted on the website.
Thank you for supporting your students’ musical talents,
Chuck Holtan, Director of Music, Savage Middle School
Savage Music Program Information:
Class/Rehearsal Expectations:
-Students need to be at school/rehearsal (students can’t learn if they aren’t here)
-Students must have their instrument in class.
-Students must have their music book/3-ring music binder in class.
Performance Expectations:
-Students are expected to attend all performances for their ensemble(s)
-Students will have their instrument and music ready to perform.
-Students will wear proper uniforms to all performances.
-All students help “tear-down/pack up” after all performances.
7/8 Grade Uniforms- Students will need black dress pants/skirts (no denim). Ladies who wish to wear skirts must also wear black leggings/tights underneath. Skirts must be below the knee or longer. Students will need black dress shoes with black socks. Ladies may wear open toed shoes with black tights/stockings underneath. For ladies I would suggest a flat shoe over high-heels. All students will wear white tuxedo shirts. The performance polo shirts cost will be approximately $20.
6th Grade Concert Dress- Students will wear white collared shirts and black or dark blue pants, ladies may wear white and/or black dresses.
The Savage Band and Orchestra Performance Calendar is posted on the Savage Music Website. https://www.sylvan.k12.ca.us/schools/savage Go to activities and click on “Band”. This calendar outlines all major concerts, festivals and competitions for the 2023-2024 school year. Students will receive information sheets before each performance that will contain exact report times, performance times, directions, and dress attire.
Please visit the Savage Band and Orchestra Website at: https://sites.google.com/sylvan.k12.ca.us/savage-instrumental-music
for the most current band and orchestra information. All handouts that are sent home with students will also be posted on the website.
Thank you for supporting your students’ musical talents,
Chuck Holtan, Director of Music, Savage Middle School
Where to Rent/Purchase your own instrument in Modesto!
Savage Middle School students have reached a level of musicianship where having their own personal instrument becomes extremely beneficial. Personal instruments, even “used”, are generally in better condition than older instruments owned by the school. I recommend the music stores listed below.
Langlois Music Ingram and Brauns Musik
209-524-1355 209-571-0133
service@langloismusic.com ibmusik.com
1700 McHenry Ave. Suite 78
Modesto CA 95350
Guitar Center Thomas Violins
(Drumsticks/practice pads) 209-596-4120
stores.guitarcenter.com/ca/modesto/288 thomasviolinsmodesto.com
Tim’s Music
6818 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Carmichael CA, 95608
916-925-9160
Percussionists will need Drumsticks and a practice pad, Evans makes one for $15 on Amazon.
Daniel J. Savage Middle School
Band and Orchestra
2025-2026 Performance Calendar
Date Performance Ensemble(s) Involved
October 16th Ready or Not Fall Concert 7,8 Ensembles
December 17th Winter Concert 6,7,8 Orchestras/Jazz Band
December 18th Winter Concert 6,7,8 Bands/Jazz Band
Feb-March Drumline Competition Season 7/8 (See Drumline Schedule)
February 28th SEF Breakfast Jazz Band
April 20th New Date! Spring Orchestra Concert 6,7,8 Orchestras/Jazz/Drumline
April 23rd Spring Band Concert 6,7,8 Bands/Jazz/Drumline
April 28th 1st and 7th Period Dist Rehearsals 5:00 p.m./6:30 p.m.
April 29th District Concerts #1 Orch 5:30 p.m. Band 7:00 p.m.
April 30th District Concerts #2 Orch 5:30 p.m. Band 7:00 p.m.
May 7th Open House/Concert in the Park 7,8 Bands/Orchestras
May 18th,19th,20th Disneyland Trip 7,8 Band/Orchestra
May 22nd Graduation Performance 6th/7th grade band members
*Band and Orchestra are the ultimate team activities. Everyone is a starting player…nobody sits on the bench. Every Band and Orchestra member plays a vital role at every performance, concert, and competition.
Chuck Holtan, Director of Bands and Orchestra, Dan Savage Middle School