Burlingame High School Music Programs

New to the Music Programs at BHS? Click/press HERE to receive important email communications.

Questions or comments you'd like the Music Boosters Executive Committee to consider? Attend a Music Boosters meeting or submit them online here.

Introduction to music at Burlingame High School

BHS Music Department classes are open to all BHS students and begin on the first day of school as part of the students’ regular class schedule.

All Bands and ensembles, Chamber orchestra, and Vocal Jazz are directed by BHS Music Director Kyoko Yamamoto.

The BHS marching/pep band and Vocal Jazz entertain at home football games, pep rallies, community events, parades, graduation, and numerous concerts. As part of the music education curriculum, all band classes combine to form the Marching Band and Pep Band. In addition, the ensembles, Chamber Orchestra, and Vocal Jazz annually compete at California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Festivals.

Those enrolled in Concert band are also offered an opportunity to audition for Jazz ensemble and Wind ensemble. Auditions are in the spring for the following school year.

Connect and contribute

We will strive to keep the music calendar up-to-date. So come here to view it or subscribe to it.

Email is the primary method of communicating with all students and parents, so register here to stay in the know. (No need to register if you already receive emails from Music Boosters)

Donations are critical to covering our music program costs. Donate here to ensure a quality educational experience continues.

If you run a business and would like to be a business sponsor, please click here

BHS Music Boosters is a tax-exempt charitable organization.

Tax ID #: 94-6102482

Most of all, VOLUNTEER!

Follow BHS Music on Instagram!

Did you know that Mrs Yamamoto runs the BHS Panthers Music Instagram account? Be sure to follow @bhs_panther_music

Link to Calendar

Bookmark and Check Often!

Upcoming Events and Announcements

Upcoming Events

Feb 6 - CMEA Jazz Festival

Feb 13 -16 - Disney Tour

Disney Tour Information

Disney Meeting Slides & Recording

Thank you to everyone who joined our Disney meeting last night! Some families were unfortunately unable to join because we reached our Zoom capacity limit. We apologize for the inconvenience and truly appreciate your understanding — it’s a great reminder of how much our program has grown.

Here is a link to the slides. If you would like a link to the zoom meeting recording, please contact Nadine.

Dress Code Reminders - All Black Shoes Required

Please be aware that Disney is very strict about performance attire and requires all musicians performing on stage to wear black closed-toed dress shoes. You student should already have a pair from the Winter Concert, but please let us know if you need any assistance in getting the correct type of shoe.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions, and thank you again for your continued support!

Please contact Eileen Conway or Elizabeth Kendall

Play-A-Thon

We are excited to announce our annual Play-A-Thon, our largest fundraiser of the year in support of our exceptional music program! This event is vital to our success, providing the instruments, sheet music, and essential repairs our talents musicians need. Beyond the classroom, your support funds scholarships and travel assistance for performance tours, festivals, and competitions.

Save the Date!

On Saturday, April 11, 2026, our Band, Orchestra, and Vocal Jazz will take the stage at Washington Park. The performances will be followed by a special parade down Burlingame Avenue—a true highlight of this beloved community tradition.

We need your help!

We are seeking donations from businesses and individuals. You or someone you know may already have valuable items to contribute. Consider these opportunities:

Business Owner? Contribute a gift certificate for goods or services!

Sports or Concert Enthusiast? Share your tickets for a local sports team or concerts!

Wine Connoisseur? Donate a bottle of your favorite wine!

Unused Gift Cards? Put them to good use by contributing them to our cause!

Your support makes a difference in keeping our music program strong.

The BHS Music Boosters (Peninsula Music Fund, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. Our mission is to empower all our musicians to unleash their unlimited talents. All donations are eligible for tax deductions.

If you or someone you know might have something to donate, please contact our Silent Auction Chairs Carmen Leung and Jane Chen. Or consider bringing the enclosed solicitation letter with you next time you shop or dine to help support our Play-A-Thon Fundraiser.

For general Play-A-Thon questions, please contact Shirley Fong.

Volunteers Needed: Nominating Committee

The Boosters are looking for volunteers to serve on our Nominating Committee. This is a great way to support our organization, help shape leadership roles, and make a meaningful behind-the-scenes impact—without an overwhelming time commitment.

The Nominating Committee will meet approximately five times between now and May. The initial meetings will focus on updating and streamlining Boosters roles to make them more manageable and sustainable. Later meetings will involve seeking volunteers to step into these refreshed roles. The meetings can be held virtually if preferred. Estimated hours: 8 to 10 hours.

Prior experience is not required—just an interest in helping the Boosters thrive.

If you’re interested or would like to learn more, please email Nadine Stocklin at nadines@gmail.com.

We’d love to have you join us!

Volunteer Needed: Dinner Fundraiser Coordinator

We’re looking for one volunteer to help coordinate a few easy dinner fundraisers (think Pizza My Heart and similar local favorites where the Boosters receive a percentage of the proceeds).

This role is short-term and manageable:

*Three dinner fundraisers over the next three months

*About 2 total hours of your time

What you’ll do:

Choose a restaurant (Nadine Stocklin can provide a list of past partners)

Request potential dates

Confirm the date with Ms. Yamamoto

Promote the fundraiser through the newsletter and any other channels you think will help spread the word

This is a great way to contribute without a long-term commitment!

Interested? Please contact Nadine Stocklin at nadines@gmail.com to volunteer or learn more.

Highlights

BHS Jazz Ensemble & Vocal Jazz Ensemble: Congratulations!

Our BHS Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz Ensemble musicians participated in the 37th Folsom Jazz Festival on Saturday, January 24. More than 100 middle and high school jazz bands, vocal jazz choirs, and combos from across California and Nevada competed that day. Both ensembles performed with so much care, precision, and passion!!! I am so so proud of all of my students!

We are proud to announce:

The BHS Jazz Ensemble won 1st place in Division 1A!
The BHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble placed 3rd out of 17 vocal jazz ensembles, was named a finalist, and performed for a packed, standing‑room‑only audience!

2026 California All State Ensemble Musicians

A Message from Ms Yamamoto:

Dear BHS Music Boosters Families,

Thank you so much for your constant support for our musicians!

On Sunday, the results of the 2026 California All-State Ensembles audition came out.

We are so proud to announce that 8 BHS musicians were selected (the most selected out of the entire district - 4 years in a row!) for the 2026 California All-State Ensembles!

Every year, thousands of students from all over California audition for the honor ensembles.

From the BHS music program, 24 students auditioned for the all-state this year. I am so proud of all of our musicians who participated in the auditions.

These students will be traveling to Sacramento on January 14th-18th to attend rehearsals led by the world's top conductors and perform for the music conference where thousands of music educators are in attendance in the audience.

Here are the students who earned their places in the each ensemble:

California All-State Ensembles

Vocal Jazz

Siena Polasek (Junior, Soprano 2)

Alona Savella (Junior, Soprano 2)

Aidan Vega (Junior, Baritone)

String Orchestra

Shonna Foo (Sophomore, Violin 2)

Haruka Ota (Sophomore, Cello)

Symphonic Band

Evelyn Hon (Junior, Bassoon)

Golden State Band

Nina Weng (Freshman, Flute)

Darren Tam (Sophomore, Trumpet)

Please congratulate the musicians when you see them!

Also from the Burlingame Intermediate School, Owen Larkin (Baritone Sax) has been selected for all state junior high school concert band!!!! Congratulations Owen and Tim!!!!

Congratulations Vocal Jazz - Warriors Performance

Last night at the Warriors game, the Vocal Jazz delivered an outstanding performance of the National Anthem directed by Ms. Yamamoto. As the group walked off the court, Gary Payton II stopped to congratulate them and high-fived everyone—an unforgettable moment that highlighted just how special their performance was. Bravo! To top it all off, a Valkyries rep spoke with us after the performance and is interested in having the Vocal Jazz perform at one of their games! Below are some pictures from the event and a video from Alvin Vega.

Volunteer Spotlight

Thank you Karen Jue for treating the band to donuts on Friday after field show practice!

Thank you Ruth, Karen J., Karen, D. Eileen, and Shirley for helping sell raffle tickets, merch, and food/water at the football game!

Tri-M Induction Ceremony

Well done, Ms. Yamamoto and executive staff, and congrats to all the new members!

2026 Disney Tour Deposit Information

Deposit Due by October 5

Tour Dates: Feb 13 - 16, 2026

We are so excited for the Disney tour! For all participants please remember that your deposit is due on October 5th. Here are the details of payments:

Price for students - $978, triple occupancy (each student will have their own bed) OR round up your cost to $1000 and become a Disney Magic Supporter, where your additional funds will go towards ensuring everyone can come. Magic Supporters will be recognized at our winter concert.

**Optional travel insurance is available at an additional cost. In order to choose the Cancel For Any Reason option, insurance must be purchased within 14 days of your initial deposit date. If interested, please visit:

www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=163507&guid=f899b49eac3444349602ce47224cdcb0**

The total price of $978 will be divided into two payments:

The first payment is a $400 deposit (or $422 for Magic supporters) due October 5, 2025.
The second payment of $578 will be due December 7, 2025.

Payments can be made either via Zelle (bhsmusicboost@gmail.com) or via check (see info below). For either payment option, be sure to include the name of your student in the memo.

Please send the deposit check of $400 made out to BHS Music Boosters to:

Cameryn Erickson

823 Crossway Road

Burlingame, CA 94010

If you have questions, please direct them to:

Scholarship/financial support: Mrs. Yamamoto (kyamamoto@smuhsd.org)

Payment processing issues only: Cameryn Erickson (cameryn.erickson@gmail.com)

All other matters: Elizabeth Kendall (elizkendall@gmail.com) or Eileen Conway (scoutpr@gmail.com)

Home Football Games

The Pep Band plays at all home football games. Families who would like to attend must have a ticket to enter. In lieu of individual tickets, consider buying a Family Pass from the Athletic Boosters for $100 (includes 2 adults & 2 pre-high school students for football and basketball games). Please visit their website for more information.

Football Game Dates

Aug 29
Sept 12
Sept 19
Oct 10
Oct 24 (Marching Band Night Show)
Nov 8 (Saturday, Little Big Game @ SMHS)

2026 Disney Tour

We are so excited for the Disney tour! For all participants please remember that your deposit is due on October 5th. Here are the details of payments:

www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=163507&guid=f899b49eac3444349602ce47224cdcb0**

The total price of $978 will be divided into two payments:

The first payment is a $400 deposit (or $422 for Magic supporters) due October 5, 2025.
The second payment of $578 will be due December 7, 2025.

Payments can be made either via Zelle (bhsmusicboost@gmail.com) or via check (see info below). For either payment option, be sure to include the name of your student in the memo.

Please send the deposit check of $400 made out to BHS Music Boosters to:

Cameryn Erickson

823 Crossway Road

Burlingame, CA 94010

If you have questions after reading through this, please direct questions to:

- Mrs. Yamamoto (kyamamoto@smuhsd.org) for scholarship/financial support

- Cameryn Erickson (cameryn.erickson@gmail.com) for payment processing issues only

- Elizabeth Kendall (elizkendall@gmail.com) or Eileen Conway (scoutpr@gmail.com) for all other matters

While the deadline was September 21, you can still use this link to sign up for the tour, which will take place February 13-16, 2026.

2025-2026 Calend

Recent Events

Broadway Pet Parade

9-27-25

Stanford Band Day

9-13-25

BHS Music Potluck
9-9-25

Spring Concert
4-30-25

Concert Video!

Thank you Alex Karanov for producing the amazing video of our spring concert!!!! Alex has filmed all of the concert from every angle and has been editing this until 5:30am this morning!!! We had some tech issues with sounds but Alex made some adjustments so every soloists are heard regardless of those difficulties. Also, want to give another shoutout to Rohan Shah for great lighting!

Play a Thon
4-12-25

Wind Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra CMEA 2025

Disney Tour
2-14-25

Disney Performance Tour

If you have photos or videos from the Disney Tour, please upload them to this shared album.

CMEA Jazz Festival
1-31-25

Jazz Ensemble Receives a Unanimous Superior rating at the CMEA Jazz Festival!

Congratulations!! On Friday, January 31, the BHS Jazz Ensemble performed at the California Music Educators Association Jazz Festival and received a unanimous superior rating for their performance as well as sight-reading!

Thank you so much for supporting our amazing musicians!

Stanford Jazz Fest 12-07-24

Saturday, 12/7: Stanford Jazz Festival

Our very own Jazz Ensemble will be performing today at the Stanford Jazz Festival. SJW (Stanford Jazz Workshop) has provided a livestream link for all the performances at the link below. Please feel free to share and be sure to watch BHS perform today at 2:30pm.

Livestream link: https://stanfordjazz.org/sjw-jazz-festival-fall-2024/

WinterFest 12-06-24

(Photos/Videos Coming Soon)

Winter Concert 12-04-24

Burlingame High School's talented bands, strings, and choir host a magical evening of music!

Special Thanks to Alex Karanov who pulled double duty on Wednesday night and videoed the Winter Concert as well as performed in the Concert Band! Please enjoy the video Alex created below.

Thank you to all the Winter Concert volunteers who helped check in ticket holders and sell baked goods! Special thanks to: Jenny R., Eileen C., Ruth S., Suzanne L, Leslie T., Jill S. Julia K., Olive O., Jung L., Birte S., Karen J., Tricia T., Olga K., and Alvin V. Also, special thanks to Ms. Yamamoto and Maree H. for marketing the event!