March 28st, 2026 - The Palmdale contest marked the end of the regular season contest for 2026, with only Championships remaining on Sunday, April 12th, 2026. Once again, following some record-breaking contests at the Montclair contest, additional records were shattered this weekend at the Palmdale contest. B. Watson of Rim of the World High School now holds the record for the highest Traditional score of all time with a 94.50, which earned him a Gold Medal in the Open Traditional Division. M. Sidhu of Santiago High School posted the 4th highest Contemporary score of all time with a 91.80, earning Gold in the Contemporary Open Division. J. Taiman of Magnolia High School tied for the 4th highest Avant Garde score of all-time with a 92.10, securing a Gold Medal. S. Tan of Chino Hills High School earned a Gold Medal and recorded the highest conducting score of the day with an 82.00 in Principal Conducting, and L. Gutierrez of Eastlake High School achieved an 82.50 earning a Gold Medal in the Virtual Flourishing Division. The highlight of the Palmdale contest is always the Open Scottish Division which was won by C. Disciple of Hutchinson Middle School, earning Gold with the score of 87.67!
Important reminder: registration for Championships closes at 10:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 4th, 2026.
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.