As we approach the end of November and look ahead to the holiday season, it's the perfect time to reflect on some of the highlights from this month and share exciting events coming up in December.
November Highlights
1. Marching Band Competitions: A Great Success for Pride of Portola
The month of November saw the Pride of Portola Marching Band continue its tradition of excellence with two important competitions. While we couldn't make it to the State Championship this year, our students performed with heart and skill at both the November 9th competition at San Clemente High School and the November 16th Division Championship at California High School. Each performance showcased the hard work, dedication, and talent of our students, and it was another remarkable season for our marching band.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to the parent volunteers who supported our students throughout the marching season. Your time, energy, and commitment are essential to our success.
Volunteers:Â
Masako & David (Sean’s), Reg & Nia (Noa’s), Jonathan (Jonathan’s), Linda & Kelly (Kaden’s), Bernd (Alex’s), Dora (Keaton’s), Sunny (Luna’s), Helena (Amy’s), Jamie (Kaden’s), Anna (Yuna & Yena’s), Jie (Snow’s),  Emma (Luna’s), Rachel & Dean & Jonah (Dylan’s), Jennie (Rachel’s), Annie (Evan’s), Sujeong (Jayden’s), Saekyong (Wonny’s), Russell(Carson’s), Bokyoung (Jiwoo’s), Aparna (Pranav’s), Lawrence (Kian’s), Yung (Alice’s), Suin (Alice’s), Hester (Jane’s), Sujin (Jimin & Sera’s), Gladys (Ryder Kingston’s), Jungyi (Alice’s), Catherian (Amelia's), Suzie (Neo’s), Hyeongeun (Doyoon’s), Mi Jin & Alex (Bill’s), Young (Lauren's), Vina (Zoe's), Ping (Raymond's), Sun & Hyunyoung (Hankyul's), Gunhaeng (Inbum & Sebum's), Julie (Andy's), Rani (Bryan's), Ryan (Nikola's), Sofia (Former Member), Namkyun (Yeonwoo's), JJ (Jane's), Tony& Skylar & Mertis (Tony's), Nam (Philip's), Mike (Lucas's), Kyle (Julian's), Ayaka (Kyto's)
Special thanks to the following parents who helped provide meals for our students after these chilly performances:
Mi Jin (Bill's mom)Â for her generous meal donation on 11/9.
Chinese Parent (Mike-Lucas's, Annie-Evan's, Suzie-Neo's, Jie-Snow's, Joanna-Jonathan's, Angela-Ivan's, Xiaome-Andrew's, Jenny-Jerry's, Catherian-Amelia's, Linda- Aiden's, Kiki-Raymond's, Vivian-Kyle's, Kelly-Kaden's) who helped provide a warm meal for our students on 11/16
It was a true team effort, and our students were so grateful to enjoy a hot meal after performing in the cold weather. Thank you to all the volunteers and donors who made this possible!
2. Chords & Coffee on 11/1
November kicked off with a successful Chords & Coffee event on November 1st, where students showcased their musical talents in a cozy, intimate setting. The event was a hit with families and friends, creating a warm community atmosphere to start the month.
3. Band/Orchestra Winter Concert (11/21 & 11/22)
The Band and Orchestra Winter Concerts, held on November 21st and 22nd, were another highlight of the month. Students performed beautifully, capturing the spirit of the season through their music. It's always a joy to see our young musicians shine on stage, and this year’s concerts did not disappoint.
Looking Ahead: December Events Preview
1. Day of Giving (12/3) – Giving Tuesday
As we move into December, we are excited to participate in GivingTuesday on December 3rd, a global generosity movement that takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Often stylized as #GivingTuesday, this day is designed to unleash the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world through the simple act of giving.
We encourage all families, friends, and supporters of our music program to join in and contribute on this special day of giving. Your donations will make a significant impact, helping provide essential resources for our students and enriching the music education experience at Portola High School.
To make a capital donation, please visit our GIVING TUESDAY page
2. Spirit of the Season: Vocal Concert on 12/6 (Friday)
Join us for our Spirit of the Season Vocal Concert on December 6th! It’s a festive evening filled with beautiful music, delicious food, and community spirit. Don’t miss out on this heartwarming event to kick off the holiday season! Here’s how you can get involved:
Purchase Your Tickets:
Tickets are now available for the Spirit of the Season concert! Secure your spot today and enjoy an unforgettable evening of holiday music performed by our talented vocalists. Bring your family and friends for a night to remember.
Buy your tickets here before they sell out!
Volunteer and Help Make the Event a Success:
We’re looking for both parent and student volunteers to assist with setting up, serving food, and ensuring the concert runs smoothly. Your time and energy are invaluable to creating a successful event, and we'd love your help!
Parents, please consider signing up to volunteer here.
Students, if you'd like to be part of this special event as a volunteer, you can sign up here.
In addition to the concert, we’ll have food trucks serving up a variety of tasty treats, including Mad Dumplings, Italian Burger, and Valentina’s Mini Cakes. It’s the perfect chance to grab a bite while enjoying a fun evening with the whole community.
Mad Dumplings (Menu can be found here)
Italian Burger

Valentina’s Mini Cakes

A Special Thanks & Looking Forward to the Holidays
As the year wraps up, we want to take a moment to thank all the parents, volunteers, and community members who have helped make this school year so successful. The dedication of our parent volunteers and the support of our families continue to be the heart of our music program.
With the holiday season approaching, we hope all families have a chance to relax, recharge, and spend quality time together. Here's to a joyful winter break and a bright new year ahead!
Thank you for your continued support of the Portola High School music program. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events, and we wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season!