SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Every February the SBMA presents a Comedy Night & Silent Auction, including great Comedy, music, food and a Silent Auction.
Proceeds benefit the El Segundo High School 'Eagle' Band. Over the past 10 years the event has raised over $200,000 for the 'Eagle' Band.
SBMA offers scholarships to high school and college students who actively participate within our umbrella of programs.
Perry DeNisi Scholarship
This scholarship provides private lessons to student musicians who show passion, determination, commitment and work ethic as members in the El Segundo Concert Band. Up to four students per year can be awarded the scholarship.
Edie and Mike Rice Instrumental Band Scholarship
Each year SBMA awards one to three El Segundo High School graduating seniors scholarships of $500-$2000 during the High School's annual scholarship awards ceremony.
This investment in these individuals helps them to continue their involvement in instrumental music as they move forward into college and their careers.
In the past 10 years SBMA has provided over $15,000 in scholarship awards to graduating Seniors.
SBMA offers mentoring credits, and teaching experience to our high school students. These talented students mentor in our elementary band program.
In addition the El Segundo Concert Band provides mentoring to high school students who qualify and join the community band. At any time up to 20% of the El Segundo Concert Band is made of these high school students, sitting alongside adult amateurs and professionals.
Periodically, SMBA will find performing or education groups that stand out or have a special expertise that we know will be invaluable to the music students in our community. SMBA will finance them to put on shows, or clinics for our students.
The South Bay Music Symposium was an annual, specialized two-week summer camp that ran for over 10 years. Students worked on their tone through breathing exercises, rhythm studies for playing more precisely in an ensemble setting, music theory, and audition techniques. Students experienced individual attention in a sectional setting, small-ensembles, as well as large group ensemble experience. Many of the participants performed with the El Segundo Concert Band in their Summer Concert.