Carson Schmidley is a remarkable youth. The Drum Major for the Granite Bay High School Emerald Brigade Band, he epitomizes the level of dedication and commitment of all 130 members of the band.

A year-round operation, these students are working at least 30 hours a week on practice, private lessons and performances.

They start at 6:45 a.m. on weekdays and work into the evening after school hours. On Saturdays, they practice from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., unless they are traveling to perform and compete.

In addition to all this work for band, many of these students excel in academics (the average GPA is 3.81) and participate in other activities including sports, various hobbies and community services ranging from bonsai club to charity league and scouting.

Under the direction of Lynn Kulikowski, the Emerald Brigade has just completed its most successful marching season yet and demonstrates that perfect practice makes perfect performance. The rewards of this investment of time and talent are stunning, as the Emerald Brigade won the coveted Grand Sweepstakes Award in four of the five competitions in which they participated this year in various locations throughout Northern California.

Typically, the community sees the results of the band members' strong work ethic and amazing talent on Friday nights during the Granite Bay High School football games.

And many people say their performances are remarkable. And their level of performance is college level and beyond.

The Granite Bay football program that won the Sac-Joaquin Division II section title this past season, was so inspired by the band's performance Friday nights, they arranged to have a section championship banner for the Emerald Brigade hanging next to their own title pennant in the school.

This band was also uniquely honored with an invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall for the New York Wind Band Festival last spring. This spring they have been invited to perform in Disneyland and in Hawaii for the 2008-09 school year. According to band board member Tim Darcey, they have their sights set on the Tournament of Roses Parade.

In order to achieve this level of performance in the stands and on the field, the Emerald Brigade has hard working parent volunteers and community support to provide equipment, uniforms, stipends for instructors, travel expenses and more.

On March 24, an opportunity for a show of community support for these hard working, talented students - led by NFL Hall of Fame Oakland Raider, Fred Biletnikoff and SF 49er Dan Bunz - will take place during a golf tournament at Sierra View Golf Course to raise money for band operations.

Who better to headline than other performers who retired at the top of their game?

Fred and Angela Biletnikoff are no strangers to investing in our youth. They are founders of the Biletnikoff Foundation, which sponsors a refuge for young women escaping domestic violence (www.biletnikoff.net). The Emerald Brigade agreed to play at their golf tournament fundraiser in June at the Granite Bay Country Club.

"Angela and I are so happy that The Emerald Brigade agreed to come out and play for the Biletnikoff Foundation fundraiser in June, it seemed only natural that I would participate in a fundraiser for this remarkable band," says Fred Biletnikoff.

The Granite Bay Emerald Brigade Golf Tournament sponsorships range from $10,000 for a title sponsor to a tee sign sponsor at $300, with plenty of levels in between and some great incentives. Individual player fees are $195 to tee off at this inaugural event.

For more information on sponsorships, golfing or donating of prizes, contact Christi Schifferle at 791-1006 or Tim Darcey at (800) 432-5626.