San Marcos High School (SMHS) Band Boosters will hold a Jazz Benefit Concert and Silent Auction, Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara.
The goal of the award-winning SMHS Jazz Band is to raise $20,000 for a competition trip to New Orleans in April.
A reception and a silent auction start at 5:30 p.m. in the Lobero Courtyard, with the music program at 6:30 p.m. The concert will feature popular songs, classic standards, and a few surprises, organizers said.
“The concert is geared toward San Marcos High School students, families and alumni, jazz music enthusiasts, and community members who believe in the value of music education in our public schools, as well as families with young musicians in the community,” organizers said.
Tickets, at $20 for general admission, $40 VIP section, are available at www.lobero.org or at the Lobero box office.
The San Marcos High School Jazz Band has a history of exceptional performances and regularly brings home top honors in competitions both close to home, throughout California and beyond, the Band Boosters said.
Most recently, they placed first at the 2025 Santa Barbara Jazz Festival and the Dos Pueblos Jazz Festival. In 2024 the SMHS Band placed first at the Dos Pueblos Jazz Festival and won multiple awards at the World Strides Competition in Chicago, Illinois.
“I’m excited for the students to have an opportunity to perform at such an amazing professional venue like the Lobero Theatre,” said Michael Kiyoi, instrumental music director at San Marcos High School for more than 15 years.
“The concert will show the community how great these kids can play. Our goal is to sell out the house to help raise money for the upcoming competition in New Orleans,” he said.
Among the silent auction items are two tickets for James Taylor at the Santa Barbara Bowl; a VIP Experience with Santa Barbara Symphony; a Staycation Package; Date Night bundles; Spring Break Activity Basket and other themed baskets.
The public can participate in the Silent Auction without buying a concert ticket but must be present to win.
The SMHS Band Boosters is a volunteer parent group supporting the music programs at San Marcos High School.
Students from the San Marcos music programs come from all socio-economic backgrounds and fundraising efforts help the Band Boosters provide financial assistance to the program and ensures no student is ever turned away from participating due to lack of funds, the Band Boosters said.
The benefit concert issponsored by the John C. Mithun Foundation Community Access Fund, and Trystine Technical Innovations, Inc.
For more about San Marcos High School’s music programs and the Band Boosters, or to make a donation visit https://smroyalsbands.weebly.com/.