About the Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Band
About the Band | Health and Safety | Judged Performances | About the Staff | Board of Directors | About the Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Youth Band
About the Band
The Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Band is an independent all-age marching band based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Spirit is a 40+ year old organization. The original Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Youth Band existed 1980-1997, were national and international youth band champions multiple years, and toured along drum corps and youth bands along the West Coast. The current Spirit of Sunnyvale started in 2010 originally as an outlet for Spirit of Sunnyvale alumni. The band has since expanded to include membership to anyone interested in performing.
The band is a member of SoundSport, a division of Drum Corps International.
Spirit is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
- Corporate Name: Spirit of Sunnyvale Music and Performing Arts Inc.
- EIN: 88-2180868
Mission
Our mission is to entertain audiences with fan-friendly drum corps and marching band music.
Vision
To benefit and enrich the community through an organization that is local, low cost, any age, and any instrument.
Our vision aligns with these for core principles:
- Local - We participate in local DCI shows, parades, concerts, etc.
- Low cost - We keep membership costs low for all to participate.
- Any age - We accept any age, from high school age and up.
- Any instrument - We accept all standard band instruments and G bugles.
Values
- Community
- Excellence
- Personal Responsibility
- Positivity
- Respect
Health and Safety
The Spirit of Sunnyvale is governed by a strict code of conduct for all participants, staff, and volunteers. We take any allegation regarding improper behavior of any kind seriously. Spirit also has policies and procedures in place governing the proper reporting and investigation of any such allegations. We are dedicated to maintaining a supportive, safe, and healthy environment for all members, staff, and volunteers.
Those interested in reading these policies may find them below:
Judged Performances
2024
- SF Chinese New Year parade - 1st place
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - 1st place
- DCI West show - 72.333 Silver ranking
- DCI Capital Classic show - 73.667 Silver ranking
2023
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - 3rd place
- DCI MidCal Champions Showcase show - 71.0 Silver ranking
- DCI West show - 76.667 Silver ranking
2022
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - 3rd place
- DCI Golden State Showdown show - 77.0 Silver ranking
- DCI Diablo Valley Classic Pacific Open Class Championships show - 79.333 Silver ranking
2021
- DCI Performers Showcase Mixed Ensemble (Over 22) - 1st place 72.5
2020
- DCI Performers Showcase Mixed Ensemble (Over 22) - 3rd place 86.0
2019
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - 1st place
- DCI SoundSport Virtual Championships - Bronze ranking
2018
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - 2nd place (tie)
- DCI SoundSport Virtual Championships - Bronze ranking
2017
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - 1st place
- DCI SoundSport Virtual Championships - Bronze ranking
2016
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - 2nd place
2015
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - no placement
2014
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - no placement
2013
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - 2nd place
2012
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - 2nd place
2011
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - no placement
2010
- Fremont Fourth of July parade - no placement
About the Staff
2024 Staff Members
Leadership
- Mickey Helms - Director
- Jason Asuncion - Assistant Director
Design Team
- Teresa Minervini - Color Guard
- Mickey Helms - Music
- Carlos Botello - Percussion
- Ryan Schlieper - Visual
Color Guard
- Teresa Minervini - Color Guard Coordinator and Tech
Hornline
- Mickey Helms - Music Coordinator
- Craig Hirotsuka - Hornline Tech
Percussion
- Adam Grant - Percussion Coordinator
- Brandon Guertner - Percussion Tech
- Sebastian Perales - Percussion Tech
Visual
- Chris Roberts - Visual Coordinator and Tech
Board of Directors
Current Board (as of 5/15/2024)
- Mickey Helms - President/Board Chair
- Jason Asuncion - Vice President/Vice Chair
- Tue Rust - Treasurer
- Michelle Helms - Secretary
- Adam Grant - Director
- David Gomez - Director
- Nicole Gomez - Director
- Carlos Botello - Director
Founding Advisory Board
- Brenda Ellis, Spirit alumni 1981-85
- Ginger (Ellis) Greenfield, Spirit alumni 1982-86
- Mike "Squeege" Carrieri, Spirit alumni 1984-89
- Mickey Helms, Spirit alumni 1986-92
- Jason Asuncion, Spirit alumni 1989-90, 1992
- Jesse Ponce, Spirit alumni 1990-91
- Todd Oliver, Spirit alumni 1992-93
- Elizabeth "Lizbeth" Jenson, Spirit alumni 1994-97
About the Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Youth Band
The Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Youth Band was an independent youth band, locally-based in Sunnyvale, California.
"Spirit", founded in 1980, performed in numerous parades, fieldshow competitions and other venues throughout the Western US and Canada. The band won multiple awards, including the 1984, 85, 86, 87, 88, 94, 96 and 97 national and international youth band championships. Spirit competed against other youth bands from the US, Canada and Japan, and performed in judged exhibition in DCI and Drum Corps sponsored field shows. The youth band folded during the 1998 season.
For more information on the Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Youth Band, their fieldshows, why the band folded, etc. please click here.