WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

August 3 - August 7, 2026

Band Camp Week 2!

FALL CAMP 

FALL CAMP begins, Monday, July 27th! The days are broken into 2 sessions that each have a focus of learning. Fall Camp is for all Mira Mesa HS Band and Color Guard students. 

Purpose of Fall Camp: Our fall camp is an essential start for the Band and Color Guard each year. Similar to sport teams, the Band program prepares for the fall marching season which has performances and competitions for a 17-week season. Fall Camp allows us to work together as a program and begin the work of music and marching fundamentals for all students. All current and incoming BAND & COLOR GUARD members of the Sapphire Sound should attend. 

New to Mira Mesa? Or know someone who would like to join us? Share this information. All are welcome in the Sapphire Sound!

FALL CAMP DATES: JULY 27 - JULY 31 & AUGUST 3 - 7 at Mira Mesa HS (Bldg 800) from 2:00 - 9:00 pm. 

Daily Schedule: 

Session #1 - Music block from 2:00 - 4:45 pm  

Dinner Break 4:45 - 5:30 pm (Dinner is provided) 

Sapphire Sound Bonding 5:30 - 6:00 pm

Session #2 - Marching block from 6:00 - 9:00 pm

What to bring: Instrument or color guard equipment, a three-ring binder (let Mr. Lockie know if you need assistance with a binder), a full container of water, and optional snacks for our break times.

What you need to wear: Band - Comfortable clothes which should be a black t-shirt with any design on it (no crop tops), blue shorts/leggings, and athletic shoes. Color Guard - white t-shirt (no crop tops), black shorts/workout pants, and athletic shoes. Everyone should have a hoodie or jacket for evening rehearsals.

Week #2 Spirit Theme Days (Always optional but fun!): 

Monday - World Cup!

Tuesday - Matching

Wednesday - Dress your Grade

Thursday - Dress as a Meme

Friday - Dress as a Staff Member

Parent Spectators: This is one of the most enjoyable times of year. The marching season is an outdoor activity. We understand parents may want to see what we are working on. We encourage you to arrive after 7:30 pm in our evenings to watch us work. You will love watching the Sapphire Sound work together! We will also have a Parent Performance to show off what we learned during band camp. Our Band Camp Parent Performance will be on August 7th at 8 pm in the stadium! We hope to see you there.

Uniform Sizing: Students will be able to size for their uniform during camp if they have not already done so. Wear a t-shirt (no crop tops), athletic shorts or leggings (no jeans), and socks with athletic shoes

Instrument Checkout: You can check out an instrument at camp.

On the Calendar

Band Camp: August 3 - 7

August Parent Meeting: August 5th at 6 pm in the Band Room

Parent Social: August 6th at 6:30 pm at AleSmith

THURSDAYS: Be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday evening rehearsals during our marching season (up to Thanksgiving). 

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, November 7, 2026 is our 34th Annual Mira Mesa Invitational Field Tournament! We ask all Band and Color Guard family members and friends to volunteer that day to help make the event a success. 

The Fall marching season concludes on Saturday, November 21st. Please make sure you keep all of the Saturdays open on our Google Calendar, including November 21st. 

The Google Calendar on our website has all updated information for parents, families, and students. Bookmark our website as one of your favorites. Click here for the BAND WEBSITE. 

Parent Social

The Mira Mesa Instrumental Music Boosters (MMIMB) are hosting a Parent Social on Thursday, August 6, from 6:30–8:30 PM at AleSmith Brewing Company (9990 AleSmith Ct, San Diego, CA 92126).

This is a great opportunity to meet other band families and connect before the season gets fully underway. AleSmith offers a variety of beverages, including beer, non-beer, and non-alcoholic options. There is plenty of seating and a food truck is often on-site.

Outside food is permitted, so if you'd like, feel free to bring your favorite snack to share. We hope to see you there!

Orientation Schedule at School

Monday, August 4 - Class of 2029, 8:00 - 11:00 am / Class of 2030, 12:00 - 3:30 pm (Freshmen: Go between 12 pm - 1:30 pm)

You will be taking a photo for the yearbook and for an ID card. Orientation is not a long process if your registration documents are in.

Volunteers Needed for Fall Camp!

We are preparing a total of 10 meals over the two weeks of Fall Camp. Each evening we will serve dinner to 200 students and staff to make sure no one goes hungry in our program. We need YOUR help! It truly takes a village and we are going to need help from anyone and everyone free between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm. This is a great time to meet other parents and join the Sapphire Sound Family!

Click HERE to sign up to help serve food!

Thank you for your support of the Sapphire Sound!

In the Director's Corner 

As we continue through band camp, I want to recognize our students for the outstanding work they've put in. We are moving through a tremendous amount of material in a short period of time, but they have risen to the challenge with focus, determination, and a commitment to excellence. The pace is fast, but the quality of their work has been exceptional. I'm incredibly proud of the progress we've made already, and it's exciting to see this year's production coming together at such a high level.

This week is also a wonderful opportunity for our families to become part of the excitement. We hope you'll join us for the Parent Meeting on Wednesday evening, connect with fellow band families at the Parent Social on Thursday, and cap off the week by attending Friday's Parent Performance to see firsthand what the students have accomplished during band camp. Thank you, as always, for your continued support of Sapphire Sound. Together, we're building something special, and we can't wait to share it with you throughout the season.

All In, Always. 

Musically Yours,

Mr. Lockie

“Band is not just music - it's family, it's discipline, it's pride.”