About the Band | Health and Safety | Board of Directors
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 performed in numerous parades, fieldshow competitions, and concerts 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.
The current Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Band 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. Spirit performs in fieldshows, parades, concerts, and other venues. The band has been an active member of the SoundSport division of Drum Corps International since 2016.
Spirit is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
- Corporate Name: Spirit of Sunnyvale Music and Performing Arts Inc.
- EIN: 88-2180868
Mission
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 four 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.
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:
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
- Carlos Botello - Director
- David Gomez - Director
- Nicole Gomez - Director
- Adam Grant - 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
