Since its foundation in 1991, the Foothill High School Instrumental Music Department has grown in stature and prominence. The department offers two concert bands, two jazz bands, an acoustic guitar course, marching band, jazz combo, percussion ensemble, drumline, woodwind quintet, various other ensembles, and a flag team. Members of the ensembles pursue excellence, striving to perform to the very best of their abilities.

The Foothill High School Symphonic Band is one of two concert bands offered at FHS. Over the last eight years, the symphonic band has grown to the 80 students enrolled this year. The ensemble swept the many instrumental categories at the 2007 Heritage Festival in Anaheim and the 2008 Heritage Festival in San Francisco. They also have received a Superior Rating at the CMEA Region II Festival five years consecutively. In addition to our concert band, field show, and pep band duties, the band functions as our school marching band. FHS is currently the North State’s elite marching programs; receiving three sweepstakes, five first places, and a second place award in the last nine parades entered.

Our jazz program has also grown to become one of the North State’s best - at the 2007 Santa Cruz Jazz Festival, both jazz bands and the jazz combo received straight superior ratings. Our top jazz ensemble received Adjudicators Trophies (a 95/100 or higher from all judges) at the 2007 Heritage Festival in Anaheim and the 2008 Heritage Festival in San Francisco. This jazz ensemble also serves as the Club Cougar Orchestra during the month of February. The eight-night show features the orchestra performing 3 hours of Swing Era Jazz.

Feel free to check out the links above to learn more about the FHS band.