Why Marching Band?
With so many activities available to Monta Vista Students, it can be difficult for students to decide how best to budget their time on campus. In marching band, students will join a supportive community of musicians and performers unlike any other. Here are just a few reasons to join:
Gain access to one of the largest and most supportive student organization on campus
Improve your skills in music and movement
Develop physical and mental discipline
Earn PE credit, freeing up a period in your schedule
Gain a unique set of experiences that students can draw on for college essays
It's fun! Students who participate in marching band (even just for one season!) often refer to marching band as the single most memorable and enjoyable part of high school
2024 Schedule
Dates for summer camps, competitions, and football games can be found on our Marching Band Calendar.
Our season runs from band camp until November 16
Weekly rehearsal schedule:
Tue / Thur: 5-8 PM
Sat: 9-4 PM
How do I sign up?
To register for marching band, you will need to complete the following items. Click or tap the arrow next to each item to learn more.
The student information form provides us with crucial information about all of our members.
The Family Agreement is a commitment on behalf of the member and their family to uphold the expectations of the Monta Vista Marching Band.
Cut Time is the administrative software used by the MVHS music program to manage finances, inventory, and other important information.
The participating student AND their parent must be registered with a Cut Time account to participate in marching band.
When registering, enter Monta Vista High School Music under "Subscribing schools/groups."
Once you have received your login, sign in and update the "contact/demographic information" as well as the "medical" sections to complete your profile.
If you already have a Cut Time account, you do not need to create another, but please make sure all information is up to date before you arrive at camp
Marching Band is recognized as an athletic activity by FUHSD. As such, students are able to receive PE Credit (10-12) and Elective Credit (9) for their participation.
However, students are required to complete several items before they can participate. Please complete steps 1-3. You're athletic clearance is complete when your status reads "pending."
This process must be completed EVERY SEASON. If you are unable to schedule a physical with your doctor before the deadline, you can take a "school sports physical" at a local CVS.
When completing forms, please prioritize the Student Info Form first. This form is quick to complete and important for us to receive early in the Summer.
Due June 1: Student Info Form and Family Agreement
Due July 1: Cut Time Registration and Athletic Clearance
Students will not be able to participate in Band Camp until all four items have been completed.
If you have any questions about the registration process, please feel free to email Mr. Gilchrist.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is there a marching band fee?
Marching Band runs on an annual budget of nearly $100,000. These funds are provided by the Music Boosters through family contributions. Our typical asking contribution amount is between $800-$1000 for the season, and depends on the needs of our program and the number of students enrolled.
How long is the the marching band season?
Marching Band typically starts in late July and ends in November.
Can I do sports and marching band?
YES! Because marching band is a Fall Sport, you are still able to do Spring and most Winter Sports. The only sports that conflict with marching band are: cross country, field hockey, football, girl's golf, girl's tennis, girl's volleyball, and water polo.
How often does marching band rehearse?
We rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00pm - 8:00pm and most Saturdays from 9:00am - 4:00pm. Though this rehearsal schedule may seem demanding, it is necessary to stay competitive to other schools in our area such as Lynbrook, Homestead, and Saratoga High Schools.
Does my student have to attend after school rehearsals once the season is over?
No. After our final performance of the season in November, after-school rehearsals are no longer required.
When is Band Camp? Is it mandatory?
Band camp this year will run from August 2-12. Band camp is the most important time of the marching season. It is where we learn the basics of marching and the opening moments of our show, therefore it is crucial that all students attend. More information will be sent home after registering.
Will my student earn credit for marching band?
Yes! 9th graders earn one semester of elective credit and 10th-12th graders earn one semester of PE credit. Once a 10th-12th grader marches two seasons, they do not need to take a second year of PE. Each season your student marches will appear on their high school transcript.
Does marching band look good on a high school transcript?
Yes! Colleges recognize the work and dedication that it requires to be in marching band. To a college admissions officer, a student who has taken four years of marching band will stand out from other applications.
Does my student have to be enrolled in the MV music program to join marching band?
Yes. With the exception of color guard, enrollment in a music class at MV (band, orchestra, or choir) is required to participate. Certain exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for students participating in the Middle College Program.
Google Photo Album
Meet the staff!
John Gilchrist
Director
Born and raised in Pacifica, CA, John Gilchrist is a Bay Area local. After graduating from Terra Nova High School, John earned a BM in Music Education from San Jose State University, where he also studied percussion under the mentorship of Galen Lemmon. While there, John served as principal percussionist of the SJSU Wind Ensemble and won several awards for his playing. Notably among them: First prize in the California PAS Marimba Competition, and also in the 2016 SJSU Concerto Competition. John would later go on to complete his student teaching in FUHSD at Homestead and Lynbrook High Schools respectively. Before landing at Monta Vista, John spent nearly two years teaching at Milpitas High School. In addition to teaching, John stays an active performer, serving as the Principal Percussionist of the San Jose Wind Symphony.
Jubilee Hardwick
Color Guard Caption Head
Jubilee Hardwick was born and raised in the Bay Area. Her dance training began at the age of 4 with traditional Chinese Folk dance, acrobatics, and ballet at Jupins Scool of Dance. Later, she continued her acrobatics and ballet training at Jensen Performing Arts. During this time, Jubilee participated in the color guard program at Milpitas High School from her sophomore to senior year. She then continued to teach at the color guard program upon graduating high school. Jubilee later went on to perform with the Santa Clara Vanguard Winter Guard. Afterwards, she joined the color guard staff at Monta Vista in 2018.
Jubilee attained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry at California State University East Bay. Aside from teaching at Monta Vista, Jubilee is currently an employee at a biotechnology company, Illumina, whose NGS platforms have made a profound impact in research on the recent pandemic and have been used in other diagnostic research companies like 23andMe. She aspires to instill in her students the same passion and confidence she gained from color guard.
Katie Gilchrist
Visual Caption Head, Woodwind Instructor
Katie Gilchrist is the Instrumental Music teacher at Peterson Middle School in the Santa Clara Unified School District. Before this current position, she taught elementary school music and high school band in the greater San Jose area. Katie graduated from San Jose State University where she earned her teaching credential and Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, where she studied saxophone with Dr. Michael Hernandez. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan. Katie is professionally involved with the California Music Educators Association and California Band Directors Association. She also serves on the board for CMEA Bay Section as one of the Solo and Ensemble Festival Coordinators, and is the CBDA Ensemble Host.
Katie has worked as both a music tech and visual tech with many high schools in the Bay Area including Homestead HS, Fremont HS, Saint Francis HS, Wilcox HS, and Santa Clara HS. She currently serves on staff at Monta Vista HS and Lynbrook HS and also works as a visual staff member for the Vanguard Cadets drum and bugle corps.
Shota Otaguro
Percussion Caption Head, Front Ensemble Instructor
Shota Otaguro is a freelance percussionist from San Jose, California. He got his bachelor degree in Music Performance from San Jose State University, studying under Galen Lemmon to learn classic, orchestral, and contemporary percussion. He has also been to several music festivals like PASIC and ZMF to study under renown artists like Nanae Mimura, Mike Truesdale, and Jack Van Geem. He is currently a member of the San Francisco Brass Band playing timpani.
As a competitor, Shota has most recently won first place at Fremont Symphony’s Young Artist Competition in the summer of 2019. In the past, he has been a part of California’s PAS competitive festival and has won 1st place for Collegiate solo marimba in 2018, won SJSU’s concerto competition in the spring of 2019, and was a semi-finalist at the Great Plains International Marimba competition.
As an educator, Shota currently presents masterclasses in the Pre University Percussion Group, directs percussion sectionals at San Jose Youth Symphony and coaches at Monta Vista High School Marching Band. In the past, Shota has taught and arranged front ensemble music at Homestead High School Marching Band and Winter Percussion for three years and was also the percussion director of the Fremont High School Concert Percussion.
Other than performing, teaching and arranging music, Shota also spends time recording, editing and producing concerts at SJSU for student recitals and chamber ensembles.