Founded in 1955, The Lancer Band is the first and oldest organization at Saint Francis. It is the largest performing ensemble on campus and the most easily recognizable!
The Lancer Band and Color Gurad has received countless accolades and awards throughout its storied history. It is the heart of all campus events, including rallies, sporting events, liturgies, and celebrations. Become a part of the tradition and cement your place in history!
Our Ensembles
Concert and Symphonic Bands
The Concert Band welcomes all wind, brass, and percussion students who are joining band for the first time at Saint Francis. Concert Band participates in the Winter and Spring Concerts, one CMEA festival, and Lancer Marching Band. This ensemble is the prerequisite course for entry into Symphonic Band.
The Symphonic Band premiere wind ensemble at Saint Francis High School. One year experience in Concert Band is required for entry into this ensemble. In Symphonic Band, music theory, history, aural skills, and performance are explored at greater depth through performance. This ensemble hosts four concerts annually, performs locally at colleges and community events, participates in CMEA festivals, and are members of the Lancer Marching Band.
Concert Band and Symphonic Band are classes and meet during the school day. Both ensemble classes fulfill UC-F Fine Art graduation requirements.
Lancer Band and Color Guard
The Lancer Marching Band is the oldest campus organization, dating back to the founding of the school. It is the largest performing ensemble on campus and the most easily recognizable! Saint Francis High School is the only WCAL school with a competitive field show band and has received many accolades in its long and proud history.
All members of Concert Band and Symphonic Band are required to participate in the Lancer Band as part of their study of music. The Lancer Band performs at football games, school rallies, community parades, and campus events. As a competitive marching band, this ensemble attends competitions and showcases each year.
The Lancer Band is a co-curricular ensemble and meets weekly on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays through mid-November. Band camp is hosted annually at the beginning of August for all students.
Color Guard and Winter Guard
The award-winning Saint Francis Lancer Color Guard is the primary visual element of the Lancer Band and Color Guard, using dance choreography, flags, prop rifles, and prop sabers. This dynamic group combines the grace and athleticism of dance and rhythmic gymnastics into one unstoppable performance! Color Guard meets weekly with Marching Band Wednesday evenings and Saturdays during the fall.
Winter Guard brings the excitement of a marching band show indoors and features guard front and center. With more props, beautiful costumes, and a custom floor, winter guard is the winter sport you’ve always wanted to be a part of! Rehearsals are held twice weekly from December to April.
Color Guard and Winter Guard are activities and travel to competitions with Marching Band and to independent competitions in the winter and early spring. As a part of the Lancer Band, Color Guard attends band camp in August. No prior experience is necessary to join.
Jazz Band
The Saint Francis Jazz Band is a group of musicians passionate about jazz and performance. This ensemble focuses on improvisation, music theory, performance, and a more detailed portrait of jazz history in the United States. Jazz Band performs at many community events throughout the school year, travels to festivals, and participates in CMEA adjudication.
Auditions are required for placement in Jazz Band. All students wishing to be in Jazz Band must be enrolled in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or a Choir class.
Jazz Band rehearses weekly in the evening.
Pit Orchestra
What makes a musical a MUSIC-al? The pit! Pit orchestra is a small group of musicians who play for the spring musical each year. All students are welcome to audition and must have significant experience playing their instrument. Instrumentation varies from show to show and auditions are held in December.
More Ensembles
- Winter Guard
- Winter Percussion
- Percussion Ensemble
- Agape Liturgy Band
Come Travel With Us!
All enrolled members of Concert Band and Symphonic Band are eligible to travel annually! Our ensembles travel on a rotating basis to Los Angeles, domestic destinations, and international tours, performing at renowned venues and receiving masterclasses from decorated artists. Past domestic destinations include Hawaii, New York, New Orleans, and Nashville. Past international tours include Scotland, Austria and the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Australia.
Events for Future Lancers
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Ready to get involved with the band program? We can’t wait to welcome you home! In the fall, eighth graders are invited to join us for a football game at Lancer for a Day. You’ll have dinner with the Lancer Band, march into the stadium to thousands of excited fans, play from the best seats in the house, and perform on the field for a special halftime show! Join us in the winter for Bandapalooza, open to all seventh and eighth graders playing wind, brass, and percussion instruments. Held in the Graham Theater, Bandapalooza is an all-day celebration of everything you love about band! Play with a guest conductor from colleges across California, work in sectionals, and perform a concert at the end of the day. |
Show & Repertoire
2024 Field Show: Ozymandias
Awards: 1st place overall 1A Feste Del Mar, 1st 1A overall, 1st 1A colorguard and 3rd overall color guard, 2nd 1A percussion Foothill Band Review, 2nd 1A overall, 4th overall drum major Rodriguez Tournament of Champions
Our Team/Get In Touch
