PYLUSD middle and high school music programs join together for 45th annual Band Pageant

After a year off due to the pandemic, the 45th Annual Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) Band Pageant took place on Wednesday, November 10, at Bradford Stadium in Placentia. Students from all six PYLUSD middle schools and all four PYLUSD comprehensive high schools joined together to perform both individually and cohesively in front of a packed crowd of cheering loved ones, teachers, staff, school and district administrators, and community members.

Following a performance of parade marches from each color guard and band, the stadium participated in a moment of silence for Pete Perez, who served as Assistant Director of Bands at Valencia High School for over 30 years. He passed away earlier this year.

PYLUSD Superintendent Dr. Jim Elsasser then welcomed attendees and thanked everyone for their continued support of PYLUSD music education and student success.

“For decades, our music programs have enjoyed ample support from our staff and Board of Education, but also parents, guardians, the surrounding community, and other partnerships, such as our booster clubs and the REACH Foundation,” he shared. “We are very grateful for the dedication of these groups as well as all of you for being in attendance this evening to cheer on our students and staff.”

Richard King, the band director at Valencia High School, then lead all ten bands on the field at once as they performed “Star-Spangled Banner” and “Sounds of Sousa” together.

Before a brief intermission and the individual field shows, the high school drumlines combined to showcase their rhythmic skills as one.

As always, the annual District Band Pageant was a wonderful evening filled with imaginative music, spectacular pageantry, and a ton of PYLUSD pride.

Here’s an overview of PYLUSD band directors.

Bernardo Yorba Middle School – Jocelyn Crecia
Kraemer Middle School – Mark Gunderson
Travis Ranch School – Nicholas Nuss
Tuffree Middle School – David Saliby
Valadez Middle School Academy – Jennifer Garcia
Yorba Linda Middle School – Matt LaBelle

El Dorado High School – Eric Samson
Esperanza High School – Brad Davis
Valencia High School – Richard King
Yorba Linda High School – Bincins Garcia