ROYAL HIGH MARCHERS TUNING UP; BAND BOOSTERS NEED A LIFT.

Byline: John Huddy Daily News Staff Writer

In the heat of the summer, players were working hard inside the cafeteria and on the football field Thursday, marching in step and trying to find their rhythm in time for the coming band season at Royal High School.

``It's fun being here at the camp,'' said freshman Brandon Roller, 14, who was learning to play percussion for the band. ``But it's also hard work trying to learn the music as fast as they want you to.''

While the freshmen were busy cranking out paradiddles and triplets on the drums, parents and members of the Royal Highland Brigade Booster Club were also hard at work trying to find ways to raise funds for the music program at the local high school.

``We've sat in endless meetings, thinking of ways to raise money for the band,'' said Kacia Dvorkin, publicity director for the band boosters.

Since becoming Royal High School band director 12 years ago, Bob Aguilar has seen band attendance increase 500 percent - a factor attributed to the implementation of a ninth grade at Royal High in the recent years.

``We want to encourage kids to participate in the music programs,'' Aguilar said. ``But the amount of funding that we get doesn't parallel the amount of students that we have. We have to find other revenues or start turning kids away.''

Aguilar said the band program costs anywhere from $50,000 to $70,000 to support each year, with about 80 percent of the money coming from the Band Boosters, who have contributed $2,750 for the band camp, and who raise close to $40,000 each year for the music program at Royal High.

But some boosters say this is not enough.

``Our instruments are old and falling apart,'' said Dvorkin, a former Royal Highland Brigade member herself. ``We have a lack of equipment. We're constantly trying to get the kids the things they need, but it's hard because it costs so much.''

The band boosters help pay for the salaries of the Dance Guard instructor, Quintin Rice, as well as percussion instructors, marching instructors, five spring semester jazz band instructors and a band secretary, with money raised at community events and other fund-raisers.

Fund-raisers organized by the boosters have included pancake breakfasts, carwashes, and the annual Royal Classic Band Competition, which raises close to $18,000 each year.

Boosters also raise funds to buy uniforms and provide transportation for the music program students.

School board members said whatever can be done to make it easier for the high school fine arts programs is being done.

``The board is very supportive of extracurricular activities,'' said board member Janice De Fatta. ``If the funds are available, they go to the programs, but it's limited to the resources we have.''

There might be some solutions to the possible lack of funds, said band director Aguilar, who proposed the idea of sponsors for the music program at Royal High School.

``We need the help of corporate America,'' he said. ``Music isn't cheap, but it should not be forgotten. There are so many benefits in a music program - lifelong benefits for these kids, like an appreciation of art.''

Band camp at Royal High School prepares players for coming events such as the Simi Valley Days Parade, football half-time shows and band tournaments. The camp runs Monday through Friday until Sept. 2 at Royal High School.

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3 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color in Simi Edition only) Keri Lamantain, right, practices her rifle spins with other members of the Royal High School Dance Guard.

(2--Color in Simi Edition only) Sousaphone players, from left, Jesse Bales, Chris Donovan and Kevin Mikasky prepare for the coming band season at Royal High.

(3--Ran in Conejo Edition only) Jody Smith swings on his baritone sax practicing with the Royal marching band.

Evan Yee/Daily News