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The Valencia Tiger Regiment performs in parades, field tournaments, football games, and concerts later in the year. We have participated in the SCSBOA (Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association) Field Championships and are slowly participating more within the WBA (Western Band Association) tournaments. As concert season emerges, these musicians participate in Symphonic and Concert Band, as well as Wind Ensemble.
Mike Collins (‘Mr. C’) graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from Cal Poly Pomona. He has completed all coursework for his Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California (USC). Mr. C studied trumpet under the tutelage of Larrie Dastrup, Claude Gordon, Ashley Alexander, Dave Evans and George Graham, among others.
Mr. C began playing trumpet with the Anaheim Kingsmen in 1982-83 after switching instruments (originally a trombonist). He then spent two years with the Concord Blue Devils (84 and 86) performing as section leader and soloist along the way to winning the world championship in 1986. Mr. C was also privileged to have taught the Velvet Knights from 1987-1992.
After the Velvet Knights, Mr. C played in the West Coast version of Disney’s Future Corps, the Magic Kingdom Korps at Anaheim’s Disneyland. He played lead trumpet for seven years with the group until being hired to teach elementary music in the Upland School District. After teaching at the elementary level for three years, he moved to the high school teaching two jazz bands, an A.P. music theory class, a general music class, guitar and the marching band for seven years.
In 2003, Mr. C returned to the drum and bugle corps world, teaching the Santa Clara Vanguard until 2005 when a ‘new addition’ to the family required dad to be at home.
After a short ‘stint’ in Oregon (also known as “it never stops raining here…..let’s go home”) Mr. C came to the Placentia Yorba Linda School District as the assistant director at El Dorado High School.
Mr. C is very honored to have been chosen as the new director at Valencia High School.
Mr. C resides in Corona with his lovely wife Sandra and their two sons Logan and Lee.
