As the bus came to a stop in front of Levi’s Stadium on Aug. 28, 2024, students dressed in blue and yellow came clambering out – instrument cases and pom poms clutched tightly between sweating hands. Anticipation and excitement seemed to overwhelm the crowd as they chattered non-stop. Soon, with arms tucked by their side and gazes confidently forward, they marched onward to perform for the most prestigious event SCHS Color Guard and Marching Band has been invited to.

In early August, SCHS music director Johnny Erdman received an email from the San Francisco 49ers press relations requesting the SCHS band perform at the 49ers Kickoff­: Players for a Purpose event.

This news came as a pleasant surprise to junior Julianna Arias Hernandez, who serves as the drum director for Marching Band.

“It’s honestly an amazing opportunity. I love being part of band and to be doing such an event – going to Levi’s Stadium for an event of this caliber – it’s honestly just incredible that we have the opportunity to go,” Hernandez said.

Adding to its significance, Erdman explained how this performance was different from the rest.

“We just got these brand new uniforms,” Erdman said. “This is actually the first time these uniforms will be seen in public, and we spent something like $25,000 on the whole thing when it was all said and done.”

The planned three-minute performance with three songs, however, was unexpectedly shortened to one minute. The SCHS band was informed of the full details the day prior to the event.

Nonetheless, the occasion made an impact on SCHS band members and was a testament to the close connections forged between individuals in Marching Band as over one third of the current members are new to the program. According to drumline coach Eddie Perez, the students came together and supported one another.

“There is definitely a learning curve,” Perez said. “I think the band is handling it well. There’s veterans here that are helping the new people, and I see a lot of good teamwork today. I think that’s great that that’s what the band has.”

Many new to Marching Band saw opportunities SCHS has for students. Freshman Neil Shah has been a fan of the 49ers and is warming up to SCHS thanks to the Kickoff event.

“After coming from middle school, I was completely surprised that I was invited to play for the 49ers,” Shah said. “It’s a dream come true.”

Erdman saw the event as a stepping stone for the marching band and believes the experience will help them continue to advance.

“There’s a possibility that this could be the most amount of people who have seen us perform,” Erdman said. “And so I’m hoping that that makes them excited to perform and ignites a drive that makes them want to continue to be the best version (of themselves) that they can be in terms of musicians and as people.”

Some band and color guard members acknowledged that the event would allow them the opportunity to be involved in bigger shows as well as potentially having increased funding. The cost of instruments ranges from $500 to $10,000 and much of the funding depends on parent fundraisers and band members.

Junior Alex Monter Lopez detailed how beyond increasing general opportunities for SCHS, the 49ers event kickstarted more ideas for Erdman. He is considering more on-campus music activities for the marching band and orchestra.

“I feel like the new marching band season and these fun, important events will help inspire him (Erdman) to bring the strolling strings (marching orchestra) to life,” Lopez said. “Having that extra music extracurricular would encourage many others in school to get involved in the music program and in school in general.”

Most students were left with a sense of determination upon finishing their performance, and it gave them an experience to learn a valuable lesson from.

“What I learned most is to be on my feet and really focus in,” Hernandez said. “Maybe we need to stop now, or maybe in another 20 seconds, you never know what’s gonna happen.”

This story was originally published on The Roar on September 4, 2024.