About the Band | Board of Directors
About the Band
The Spirit of Sunnyvale was an all-age community band based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The original Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Youth Band existed 1980-1998. It 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 Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Band existed 2010-2025. It started originally as an outlet for Spirit of Sunnyvale alumni, then expanded to include membership to anyone interested in performing. Spirit had performed in various venues such as fieldshows, parades, and standstill concerts. The band was an active member of the SoundSport division of Drum Corps International from 2016 through 2024. In 2025, the competitive SoundSport portion of Spirit was spun off to form Sparta Ignite under Bay Area Performing Arts Movement.
Mission
To entertain audiences with fan-friendly 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 events.
- 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.
Non-Profit Status
Spirit of Sunnyvale is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
- Corporate Name: Spirit of Sunnyvale Music and Performing Arts Inc.
- EIN: 88-2180868
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
