WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

July 20 - July 24, 2026

1 Week until Band Camp!

On the Calendar

Open Room Days: July 23rd and July 24th

Percussion Camps: July 24, 8 am to 4 pm

Conditioning Dates: July 22 and 24

Band Camp: July 27 - 31 and August 3 - 7

Sapphire Sound Fall Camp

Sapphire Sound Fall Camp: July 27 - July 31 and August 3 - 7 from 2:00 - 9:00 pm at Mira Mesa HS. All students in the Marching Band and Color Guard are to attend these two weeks. There are two blocks of rehearsal. Block #1 is Music, followed by dinner each evening. Block #2 focuses on marching.

Students should have black/blue athletic shorts or leggings, a black t-shirt (print or design on it is fine), athletic shoes, instrument, pencil, and a water container with them each day. Please let Mr. Lockie know if you have any questions or need assistance with instruments, etc.

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!

Open Room Days

Open Room Days: All current and incoming Band and Color Guard students have the opportunity to be at school and spend time in the band room! This is a casual time for everyone to get to know one another and practice your instrument. Open Room Days are meant to be fun and relaxed. These days are optional, but encouraged for everyone in the program to come by school and beat the heat. Practice rooms will be open to keep up on your instrument and prepare for band camp!

Dates:

July 23rd: 1 pm to 4 pm (All Rooms Open)

July 24th: 8 am to 3 pm (Practice Rooms Open)

Conditioning Days

Thank you all so much for signing up to volunteer for the conditioning days. If a day says “full,” you are all still welcome to attend and volunteer.

We rely on parent volunteers to help supervise activities and ensure that all students remain safe while participating. If you are willing to spend an evening getting to know other band parents while helping support our students, your time and assistance would be greatly appreciated!

CLICK HERE!

Conditioning Days: It's a summer tradition for the Sapphire Sound to have fun and get a little exercise together on the dates listed above at Breen Community Park from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. There is no pressure in the Sapphire Sound to “fit in”. Just come to the park, be yourself, and join in with everyone. It's a great way to meet one another and get active. Students should wear comfortable clothes such as shorts and t-shirts, along with athletic shoes. Always bring water! Parent chaperones will be there just in case someone needs something. This is an optional event but highly encouraged!

Parents, please pick up your student promptly at 6 pm.

In the Director's Corner 

One week away from band camp!

I hope everyone is excited to get started with the 2026 season. Our field show music is done and the staff and I can not wait to share it with you all next week. This show is one of a kind and I know you are all going to love it.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer filled with memorable moments, rest, and connecting with friends and family. The Sapphire Sound will be creating lasting memories this fall with the development of skills in music, marching, and performance. Parents, I encourage you to watch throughout the fast set of weeks we call “marching season”. You will see progress and achievement that you didn't know could happen so quickly. We would love for you to join in with the journey we are about to take. 

Being a part of the Sapphire Sound is for the entire family. As a parent, auntie/uncle, or supporter, you are welcome to come help our program as a volunteer. You can serve dinner each night of camp. You can volunteer to help get the uniforms ready, you can volunteer with the equipment crew who will be working on props and organizing the storage containers; and there are plenty more opportunities to be involved. During camp and on Thursday evenings, you are welcome to come sit in the stands during the second half of rehearsal and see what the students are learning. 

Every student begins in our program where they are. Some are brand new to an instrument. Some are entering their last year of high school and have been playing, or performing for many years. The progress that each and every students makes throughout the year is what motivates me and excited me for band camp! 

Enjoy being a part of our community called the Sapphire Sound. It truly is a community for students and parents. You will quickly find out how special our program is. Get involved and take a risk by coming through the doors. You won't regret it.

If this is your first year in the program or your final one, enjoy the many experiences we are about to have this year. High school goes by quickly. Enjoy every moment of it!

Have a great week! I can't wait to greet all of you! See you soon.

All In, Always. 

Musically Yours,

Mr. Lockie

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