March 21st, 2026 - The Montclair contest was the largest event of the season with 144 performances! Congratulations to ALL the student leaders who came out, persevered, and braved the heat. We witnessed many record-breaking performances. Y. Morales of Pomona High School earned gold in the Open Contemporary division, achieving the 5th highest contemporary score in SAML history with a 91.10. R. Manglicmot of Bonita Vista High School captured gold in the Open Traditional division, receiving the 10th highest traditional score in SAML history with a 92.40. M. Jenkins of Chino High School secured gold in the Avant Garde division with a 90.10. A. Rojas of the Aguiluchos Marching Band took gold in the Virtual Flourishing Division with a 73.90. In conducting, S. Veldman of Townsend Junior High School brought home the season’s first gold medal in the Principal Conducting division, while S. Tan earned the highest conducting score of the season—an 83.00 in her Associate Conducting division—and received SAML’s third promotion of the season to the Principal Conducting division.
2026 Performance Grid Leaders
Virtual
Top School
Avant Garde
Conducting
Traditional
Contemporary
March 21st, 2026 - S. Veldman of Townsend Junior High School earns the first Principal Conducting gold medal of the 2026 season receiving an 82.50!
March 7th, 2026 - J. Framan earns 3 medals at the Mayfair contest, including 2 silvers and a bronze in Avant Garde, Contemporary Open and Associate Conducting.
February 28th, 2026 - H. Jennings of Martin Luther King High School earned his second Traditional Open Gold of the Season scoring a 90.00 at the Rancho Verde Contest.
February 14th, 2026 - F. Osornio-Llerenas of Magnolia High School earned 2 gold medals in traditional and contemporary at the Oaks Middle School Contest..
February 7th, 2026 - B. Diaz of Rancho Verde High School earned 2 gold medals in Traditional and Avant Garde at the Garey High School Contest.
PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT LEADERS
TO INSPIRE CHANGE IN THE MARCHING & MUSIC COMMUNITY
What We Do…
We provide student leaders in the 5th -12th grades involved in the marching and music performing arts a platform to challenge their creativity, advance their skills and leadership through modern competitive events and progressive education.
Student Academy of Musical Leaders (SAML) was founded by former Drum Majors and Music Leaders dedicated to the advancement of the marching and music performing arts.
Student Academy of Musical Leaders (SAML) was founded in 2020 by a close-knit group of former Drum Majors and Music Leaders who wanted to provide student leaders a competitive circuit that pushed the limits of their creativity, offered support and guidance in their growth as young leaders, and assisted them in refining their skills as musicians and creators. This led to the creation of the “T Pattern” and other innovative performance formats and educational programs.
With passion and undeniable drive, the founding members of SAML were able to create a circuit that truly focuses on the ever-changing needs of student leaders involved in the marching and music performing arts.
SAML is based in Southern California and hopes to expand its reach in the future and is currently offering its programs to students in grades 5-12. SAML is also a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization.