November 27th, 2025 - Season VI has officially arrived! The Student Academy of Musical Leaders is excited to unveil the full 2026 SAML Tour schedule. This highly anticipated season will begin on January 17th with our annual kick-off seminar, setting the stage for a fantastic year of growth and competition. The season will then culminate with the thrilling Championship event on Sunday, April 12th. Be sure to check back regularly, as we will be announcing the specific event locations on Christmas Day!
November 22nd, 2025 – The Arcadia Festival of Bands proudly played host to 40 of the top competitive parade bands from across southern California, showcasing an impressive array of talent and dedication. Among the participants was Golden Valley High School, which traveled all the way from northern California to take part in this prestigious event.
Throughout the season, SAML student leaders consistently performed with passion and excellence, captivating packed streets lined with enthusiastic spectators. At this event, SAML Student leaders proudly took home an impressive 7 of the top 10 awards. In the Mace division, SAML student leaders claimed the top four places. E. Jaimes of Glendora High School earned 1st place with an outstanding score of 93.85, followed closely by L. Montalvo of Loara High School who secured 2nd place with 91.40. Y. Guillermo of Garey Garey High School achieved 3rd place with an impressive 91.05, and J. Garcia of South El Monte High School rounded out the top four with a 90.00. In the highly competitive Military Division, K. Maldonado of Downey High School earned a strong 2nd place with a score of 93.50, M. Jenkins of Chino High School took 3rd place with 92.80, and B. Diaz of Rancho Verde High School achieved 5th place with 92.25.
Additional SAML Student leaders breaking 90.00 and just finishing out of the awards by the narrowest of margins was T. Trinidad of Olympian High School, who earned sixth place with a 92.05, F. Osornio Llerenas of Magnolia High School, securing seventh place with a strong 91.55. Following them was N. Camargo of Montebello High School, achieving eighth place with a solid 91.10, and rounding out the group was S. Borland of Santiago High School, earning ninth place with a 91.00, further showcasing the depth of talent among SAML student leaders!
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.
November 1st - SAML Student Leader E. Jaimes of Glendora High School secured 1st place in the mace division at the 53rd Chino Band Review Invitational with the highest score of the day, a 95.00!
October 25th - SAML Student Leader D. Perez of Foothill High School earned 2nd place in the Open Class Mace category at the Loara Band Review with a score of 91.00!
October 18th - SAML’s 2024 Avant Garde Champion, B. Watson of Rim of the World High School, secured a strong 2nd place finish in the mace division at the Azusa Golden Days Parade with a solid score of 90.75!
Must Watch >
2025 Champions
Traditional
Contemporary
Avant Garde
Conducting
Virtual
Top School
Grand Champion
T-Pattern
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.