Welcome to

San Diego City Guard Band

About Us

Upcoming Events

Contact Us

Band Leadership

Announcements

About us

The San Diego City Guard Band is an all-volunteer community band based in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park. The band has a regular season of performances throughout the year in the spring, summer, and December holidays. In addition, we perform at other special events throughout the year. The City Guard Band’s repertoire includes a wide range of range of music: historical works, show tunes, movie scores, marches, and concert pieces for symphonic band. We also feature small ensembles and vocal performers at many events.

If you are a band musician of any level, we welcome you. The Band’s membership consists of amateurs, music educators, and professional musicians ranging in age from “18 to 80” and beyond.

No audition required! Simply contact us prior to rehearsal.

Rehearsals are every Tuesday, 6:30 to 8:30 PM, in the Recital Hall in Balboa Park. Park Map & Directions – Balboa Park

Upcoming Concerts and Events

Twilight in the Park at the Spreckels Organ Pavillion

June 16 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Contact Us

(619) 797-6748

[email protected]

2130 Pan American Rd. W
San Diego, CA 92101

Name

Our People

Linda Thompson

Conductor

Linda Thompson is an educator, clarinetist, and a conductor. During her 38-year career she has taught elementary, middle school, and high school bands. She received her BA in Music from Westmont College, graduate work at UCSB and her Master’s Degree in counseling at Point Loma Nazarene University.

Under her direction at Monte Vista High School she received the Legion of Honor Award by the John Philip Sousa Foundation for the superior ratings her band received at Festivals and for her work with Women Band Directors International.

After retirement Linda traveled to Jamaica and worked with the band program in the Jamaican schools through an interim class with Elmhurst College, Chicago. She has also developed the National Sousa Honors Band in San Diego, part of the Sousa Foundation, as a way to give something back to the profession.

In 2013 and 2014, Linda served as President of Women Band Directors International (WBDI). and hosted the WBDI 2003 Summer Meeting in San Diego. In 2014, she was awarded the Silver Baton Award from WBDI for her service and dedication to bands, and in 2016 she received the Aubrey Penman Retired Music Educator Award from the Southern Border Section CMEA for her work with the Sousa Middle School Honors Bands. In 2024 she received the Legacy Award from WBDI.

Linda considers directing the SD City Guard Band to be an honor. She is continually inspired by the enthusiasm and pride the band demonstrates as they continue to grow and excel musically.

Currently she performs with the Germania Blaskapelle in San Diego and the San Carlos Orchestra. Outside of her musical activities, she enjoys being with her family and her 3 grandsons ages, 3, 5, and 10.

Board of Directors

Robert Mickle

President

Robert is excited to serve as the president of the Board of Directors. Robert has an MBA from the University of Dallas, works full-time as a field service manager for a water quality testing company, and serves on his church’s finance council. Robert is proud to play bass clarinet for the band. He is excited that in the past couple of years, the band has set some strategic initiatives to increase band size, update the band’s website, and develop a social media presence.

Simon Waters

Treasurer

Simon recently retired and has served on a number of boards throughout his business career. His background in sales, marketing and computing technology bring valuable insights to the board. Simon is committed to upholding the values and objectives of the Heritage Band Society and working collaboratively with the board to ensure the success and sustainability of the charity’s programs.

Kathleen Herb

Secretary

Kathleen played flute a little as a child, but in high school she got involved in theatre, and received a B.A. in Theatre in college. She became a Ringling Brothers Circus clown for seven years (including playing in the clown band!) and returned to San Diego to become a theatre and English teacher. Then, in her 40’s, she got the music bug again, and when she saw The City Guard playing at what was then called Christmas on the Prado, she showed up at the Recital Hall the following week! That was in 1992, and since then she has been a constant member of the flute section, as well as serving as the band librarian and as the secretary for the board of directors.

Barbara Pitoscia

Member

Barbara began playing the clarinet in fifth grade and played through high school. She picked it back up in 2001 and joined an orchestra in New Jersey. She moved to San Diego in 2012 and eventually found the San Diego city band in 2019. She has been an active member ever since. She really enjoys being a part of the band. Besides the band, she enjoys playing pickle ball, golfing, biking, and hiking. She also enjoys watching baseball, football and basketball.

Taylor Ingalls

Member at Large

Cecilia Porras

Member at Large

Becca Rodriguez

Member at Large

Announcements

Rehearsals Through End of May 2026

Tuesday, April 28 6:30 PM

Tuesday, May 5 6:30 PM

Tuesday, May 12 6:30 PM

Tuesday, May 19, 6:30 PM

Tuesday, May 26 6:30 PM

Heritage Band Society

The Heritage Band Society operates the San Diego City Guard Band and was established in 1980. The main purpose of this corporation is to operate a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of American Band Music.

This corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for public purposes.

IRS FEIN: 953675808