February 21st, 2026 - SAML Student Leaders shine brightly at the 82nd Temple City Camellia Festival and Parade. Recent gold and bronze medalist continue their success in Band Review competition D. Soto of Oaks Middle School earned Sweepstakes with an impressive score of 91.00. S. Veldman of Townsend Junior High School claimed 1st place in the Middle School Division, and K. Garcia of Palmdale High School took 3rd place in the High School Division!
Check back on Wednesday, February 25th at 6:00 PM to view the full performance schedule for the Rancho Verde Contest, which will take place on Saturday, March 1st.
2026 Performance Grid Leaders
Avant Garde
Conducting
Traditional
Contemporary
February 14th, 2026 - Contest #2 at Oaks Middle School featured our largest geographical virtual contest to date, with student leaders from Puebla Mexico, San Diego, and the Coachella Valley. It was A. Rojas of Aguiluchos who took gold in the Virtual contest. F. Osornio-Llerenas earned 2 gold medals in traditional and contemporary. A. Cheng earned the highest conducting score of the day with a 71.00 and A. Hernandez earned the highest flourishing score of the day with an 89.50!
February 7th, 2026 - Contest #1 at Garey High School featured 70 student leaders and more than 80 performances. B. Diaz of RVHS earned 2 gold medals. J. Taiman of MHS earned the highest flourishing score of the day with an 89.50 and S. Tan of CHHS earned the highest conducting score of the day with a 71.00!
November 22nd, 2025 - SAML student leader E. Jaimes of Glendora High School earned 1st place at the Arcadia Festival of Bands with an outstanding score of 93.85!
November 8th, 2025 – SAML student leader Y. Guillermo of Garey High School secured first place in the Mace Division with an impressive score of 91.70. at the Martin Luther King Band Review.
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.