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78 Honor Bands

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The 78 Honor Band is open to high school and middle school students who attend a school a school in one of the following school districts:

 

  • Escondido Union High School District

  • Escondido Union Elementary School District

  • San Marcos Unified School District

  • Vista Unified School District

  • Oceanside Unified School District

  • Carlsbad Unified School District

  • Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District 

  • Ramona Unified School District

  • Fallbrook Union High School District

  • Fallbrook Union Elementary School District

  • San Dieguito Union High School District

 

​Click on the button below to be directed to the page specific to your Honor Band.

78 Honor Band Goals & Philosophy

The 78 Honor Bands project is an opportunity for all secondary music programs in the northernmost area of San Diego County to come together to create opportunities for students. 

 

The goals of the project are as follows: 

  1. Promote the highest quality possible music making 

  2. Give the opportunity to students to perform literature they may not be able to play with their own programs

  3. Give students the opportunity to work with renowned conductors and educators

  4. Provide students at smaller programs the opportunity to perform in ensembles with full instrumentation

  5. Provide students a challenging musical environment which pushes their growth

  6. Give students and directors ideas they may take back to their own programs 

Audition Information

Students will submit auditions online. Beginning Monday December 1, 2025 students will be able to access the registration information and submit their auditions online. There is no fee to register, students need only to complete the registration form and upload their audition recording. If accepted to the 78 honor band, there is a participation fee. (Not more than $100) Our goal is that no student will be excluded because of an inability to pay the fee. If you would like information about financial assistance email your band manager after you receive the acceptance email and they will assist you. 

Middle School Students

Click here to be directed to the Middle School Band Page.

High School Students

Click here to be directed to the High School Bands Page

Band Managers

A dedicated team of music educators serves as the band managers for the 78 Honor Band. They represent some of the finest music programs across the 78 corridor. 

Shannon McInnis

MS Symphonic Band Manager

San Elijo MS

Chris Coughlin

HS Wind Ensemble Manager

Mission Hills HS

Anastasia Homes

MS Symphonic Band Manager

San Elijo MS

Geoff Radant

HS Wind Ensemble Manager

San Marcos HS

Zachary Squibb

MS Symphonic Band Manager

Madison MS

Eric Weirather

HS Wind Ensemble Manager

Rancho Buena Vista HS

Juan Aguilar

MS Band Activities Manager

San Marcos MS

Derek Lee

HS Symphonic Band Manager

Fallbrook HS

2025

High School Wind Ensemble

Dr. Peter Boonshaft

2024

High School Ensemble

Dr. Dustin Barr

2025

High School Symphonic Band

Jon Gomez

2023

High School Ensemble

Gary Hill

2025

Middle School Symphonic Band

Matthew Armstrong

Previous 78 Honor Bands
Guest Conductors

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