Parent Handbook

WELCOME!

We invite you (or as a parent or guardian for your student) to join the Glendora High School Tartan Marching Band & Pageantry. 

 Why Band & Pageantry?

Amazing students performing meaningful activities.  It makes the transition from middle school to high school much easier, familiarizing incoming students with the campus, and (even if the student is already at GHS) provides a sense of belonging.  This is a walk-on program.  Whereas other sports may have only so many spots as are available due to seniors graduating, there is always room for growth and greater numbers.  This means that instead of perhaps 20 familiar faces when the student starts school in fall, imagine having dozens of Band & Pageantry-mates, familiar faces in every class.  Upperclassmen taking you under their wing.  People to study with or to call in case you missed a day and you need to know what the lesson or homework was.  Grades often improve.

Through this program, first and foremost, students learn responsibility and dedication to craft and to one another.  All things are practice, not just for school but for life – from study at home, to learning the music and to read it, rehearsals, breathing, marching and body movement, loading, travel, teamwork, cooperation, leadership, logistics, administration, history, traditions, maintaining equipment, dressing and performance.  These students are constantly together, by the band room, at nutrition, lunch and after school, because they want to be.  This becomes their crew.

The program has a decades-long legacy of success, but more importantly, the students are smart, passionate, inclusive, diverse, compassionate, independent thinkers, self-starters, silly teenagers (when they can and should be!), but strictly business when it comes to practice and performance.

Think you won’t have enough time? Band & Pageantry replaces 7^th period and PE.   Practices are generally 4 days a week, additional hours after school, unless there is a weeknight football game or competition.

While coming from middle school band is the usual course, playing an instrument is not actually required.  We will find a place for you.  All that is necessary is passion, dedication, commitment to practice, and the ability to keep time. 

Contact our Band and Pageantry Directors at the GHS contacts listed on the GUSD website and on the GHS website and watch for postings on this site, social media, at GHS, as well as fliers that may be posted and/or distributed at middle schools and ask parents with students in the program. 

For detailed information on all band & pageantry programs, how the season rolls out, and much much more, see the Handbook pdf under the Form and Handouts menu.

Clinics.  The season starts with summer clinics, usually two weeks in June.  These are for students who are new, generally but not entirely, freshmen, older students coming to Marching Band from Concert Band or Wind Ensemble, and at times, middle schoolers.  Depending upon the number of participants and materials covered (and therefore number of instructors) Clinics are no cost or low cost.  Clinics are led by the Directors, outside contractor technical instructors (“techs”), and upper-classmen Section Leaders, Captains, and Lieutenants who act as teacher’s assistants as a part of student leadership.  Attendance at clinics is highly encouraged — an excellent opportunity get to know the Band, Directors, Techs, student leadership, and Band culture.  Keep an eye out for clinic dates.

Band Camp.  Camp is at GHS and is usually 3 weeks, beginning at the end of July through early August, at least 4 days a week, 8 am-4pm, 2 weeks for members, with an additional week thereafter, only required for student leadership.  Attendance is required for members of the fall Marching Band, as students begin learning the music and marching for the fall parade (“review”) and field show competitions.  GHS participates in both types of competitions, and practices during the week are divided between them.  GHS’ legacy is in highly competitive review competitions, and GHS competes for top honors in the top divisions and is watched and known all over the world.  

Instruction.  The program is supervised overall by the Band Director.  Pageantry — the visual components (flags, banners, drill team, etc.) is supervised by the Pageantry Director.  A large part of the basis for GHS’s success lies with the number of outside Techs the Directors approve, and Band Boosters pays for (as is the case for most competitive HS bands).  GHS has Techs for Brass and Woodwinds, Pageantry choreography, flags, banner, rifles and sabers, as well as bagpipes and pipe drummers, and for Drumline (“Drumline” is Battery (drums and cymbals) and Front Ensemble (aka “Pit”– drum set, marimbas, vibraphones and xylophones, keyboards, sound effects, auxiliary instruments, and guitars).  Upperclassmen student Section Leaders, Captains and Lieutenants also aid instruction within each division of Band & Pageantry.   

Cost.  Donations/fees for participation in fall are announced at the beginning of the fall season and are payable by check and electronically.  These are divided into the student’s share of the necessary expenses such as fees for Techs, maintenance and repair of instruments, equipment and uniforms, and food at competitions (meals, snacks and drinks).  The school owns the instruments (although students can use their own if suitable, and many do), uniforms, hats and bonnets, tartans and sashes, etc. and these are regularly maintained, repaired and replaced.  Additionally, members will need to purchase certain accessories, for example, “travel” clothing – T-shirts, track pants and jackets, black-and-white shoes, gloves, pageantry clothing, show costumes, and shoe cleaner and paint.  Many items are donated (shoes in good condition), and the community is encouraged to purchase fundraising items (t-shirts, sweatshirts, decals, etc.) and donate.   

Uniforms for Band and Pageantry are the property of the school.  Uniforms are issued at the beginning of band season.  Unless otherwise specified, jackets with sash and tartan are worn at reviews (parade), and the field uniform is worn for field competitions. Pageantry wears traditional uniforms with blouse, vest, skirt, socks, and shoes for review, and custom-ordered costumes for field shows.  Musicians wear striped pants for review competitions and plain black pants (“bibs”) for field competitions. 

Striped pants must be taken to the dry cleaner prior to the season to get the bottoms hemmed, as the end of the pant leg for all members must be the same distance from the street surface.  Field pants have adjustable suspenders and snaps inside the legs. 

Jackets and the striped pants have to be dry-cleaned – and not just by any dry-cleaner.  The approved vendor for hemming, alterations and cleaning will be specified at the beginning of the season.  Announcements will be made throughout the season as to when to bring uniforms (jackets and striped pants, Pageantry components and accessories) as well as tartans and sash (if needed) to the dry cleaner.  This must be done in time to allow them to be completed and picked up before the next competition.  Prior to taking uniforms to the dry cleaner, any collar liners and belts must be removed. Field pants are to be washed in cold water only and hung to dry; collar linings and belts are to be washed at home.  Prior to each competition where dry cleaning was announced, cleaning tags (leave them pinned to hanger or plastic cover) need to be shown to each student’s Section Leader at check-in as proof of cleaning.  Failure to do so, particularly where there is dirt, collar rings, smell and/or wrinkles makes us all look bad and results in grooming points deductions, and could prohibit the student from marching.  The cost of hemming and dry cleaning is the responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian. 

Musicians wear white shoes for review competitions and black shoes for field competitions.  White shoes must be cleaned and soles scrubbed.  Do this at least 24 hours ahead to allow time to dry.  The black shoes should simply be wiped down, polished if needed.  Furniture polish (e.g.  Pledge) actually works for this.

Uniforms must be returned and cleaned at the end of the season.  Failure to return uniforms is a failure to return school property and is serious.  This can result in charges to a student account, withholding of report cards, and withholding of diplomas.  

Communication.  The Directors and Booster Club communicate with parents and guardians through multiple media, including apps where weekly schedules and competition directions and maps and information are all sent to parents, as well as email reminders and links.  Please review and download these apps.  Competition information (schedule for the day, including arrival “Call Time”), directions and maps are sent through these multiple methods prior to competitions.  Volunteers and Booster Board parents don’t have any more information than this, they obtain the same information from the same sources. 

[Note: prior to and on competition days, volunteers have their hands full setting up, loading and unloading, moving, helping with instruments and uniforms and grooming, last minute cleaning and repairs, serving food, etc.  They do so in designated bus and truck parking/set up areas.  Volunteers often can’t even hear calls (surrounded by bands warming up), can’t answer, are not familiar with the local streets and area themselves, and asking them for location may only get you lost – bus and band unloading/parking may be nowhere near spectator parking.  Kindly review and reference map, direction and time information published prior to competitions.]

Student Leadership.  Band leadership consists of students in 2 branches, all of whom together constitute student “Band Board”: Drum Major, Section Leaders (Band), Captains and Lieutenants (Pageantry), and administration. 

Drum Major.  The overall student leaders of Band & Pageantry.  Drum Majors have a great degree of responsibility (and pressure on them at competitions); correspondingly, this is a highly specialized activity.  Interested students will take “Drum Major training” throughout the year from current Drum Majors (and on occasion, Techs) to learn the commands, march, and sequence and methods for spinning and tossing the Mace.  Staff selects the Drum Major, Assistant Drum Major (and when needed, Associate Drum Major) from the pool of potential Drum Majors who have put in the work, demonstrate leadership, are highly proficient in musicianship, can conduct, and have dedicated themselves to learning and perfecting these skills. 

Section Leader / Captains are honored positions and require high proficiency in musicianship and Guard skills, plus leadership above all: first to arrive, last to leave, recruiting, timeliness, willingness to attend meetings, and demonstrating everything from playing (hand positions, breathing) to movement, to loading and unloading, polishing instruments, uniform checks and cleaning shoes.  Because of the responsibility of these positions, plus needing to have a great deal of knowledge and experience, these spots generally go to seniors and on occasion to juniors.  Additionally, these leaders are required to have attended leadership meetings and training.  Potential leaders must demonstrate they are committed to and will fulfill the position, understanding that leadership is teaching, leading by example, and engaging others to ensure no one is left out or falls behind.  Being selected is not put to a vote, these positions are based upon the above factors that must be consistently displayed to the Directors and Techs over the course of the prior school years and thereafter.

Administratively, there are many student Band Board positions that are voted upon by the students and/or appointed / approved by the Directors.  These are open to all Band & Pageantry students, are often held by underclassmen, and are a great way to become involved at a more in-depth level.  These include, for example, President, Librarian, Historian, one Representative from each class, and Equipment Managers (who ensure that equipment makes it on and off trucks and trailers, log equipment that may be broken or malfunctioning or needs to be maintained). 

“Find Your Freshman.”  Part of band culture includes this unofficial but invaluable concept: upper classmen are encouraged to not let anyone feel lost, uninvited or on the fringes; they bring students into the fold and are justifiably proud of themselves when they do so (“I found my freshman!”).

Parent Booster Club.  All of the above takes funding and fundraising and much volunteer work, and for this, there is a Booster Club for parents.  This is a non-profit association consisting of an Executive Board.  These are elected, voting positions, spelled out in the Bylaws.  Booster Board positions are elected by formal process at the end of the school year for the Board to serve in the following school year.  At the same meeting, non-Board positions (e.g., head chaperone, head of food service (“Chuckwagon”), head of street practice set-up, etc. are also appointed.  Booster Board generally meets once a month, privately in Executive Session (but agenda, minutes and decisions are public) and for ALL parents/guardians there are monthly Open Meetings, in the band room and/or remotely and attendance is highly encouraged.   

Volunteers.  The more volunteers the better – many hands make light work.  It is well understood that many parents/guardians can’t help until after work or on weekends, and have other children with other activities.  There are many, more flexible non-board volunteer positions: food service, grooming (getting the uniforms, costumes, hair and makeup in order, dressing Drum Majors and pipers, aka “Plaiting”), street set-up for review practice, truck driving, loading and moving equipment to performance areas, and water, etc.  Don’t wait to be invited, you are welcome.  There’s no training manual and needs and location change year to year, comp to comp; just go to an area you are interested in, introduce yourself and “shadow” more experienced parents to see what needs to be done [See Bylaws and job descriptions].  Parents have “band friends” too!  Hang out with each-other at competitions, walk together at the back of parades, etc.  This is a team of unsung heroes, who make it possible for the students to have their time to shine.

Volunteers fill out and submit a very simple, one page Volunteer Application, and there are levels that need to be cleared with the District, denoted level 1, 2 and 3. 

– Level 1, generally distributing snacks and food, help load and move equipment (Note Truck Drivers must submit an additional form including their insurance and driver’s license). 

– Level 2 requires a TB test and is necessary to Head Chaperone or chaperone at band parties, walk students to and from restrooms, ride on buses, etc. 

– Level 3 requires a TB test and Live Scan/background check and clearance at all levels and is necessary for everything in Level 2 plus overnight trips.

Competitions.  There are 2 type of competitions: Review and Field: 

Review competitions are parade-style; instrumental students march in straight lines on a closed-off street or track, playing a march piece and aspire to perfect formation, straight lines from the back, side to side and diagonally.  All must be extremely well-groomed, down to the height of their pant hems, hair tucked under hat (Glengarries), with no dangling jewelry or accessories.  They wear the uniform jacket and tartan with sash, white gloves, striped pants and white shoes.  These not only look formal, they make it easier for judges to determine straight lines and marching precision.  GHS is known for painting the bottom of shoes and covering them with booties until right before it is time to compete (“step off”).   

Pageantry (aka “Colorguard” at other schools, “Guard” for short) is divided into Banner, Flags, and Drill Team.  Banner Line, unlike schools that carry a fabric banner on a bar, features separate letters and movement with them.  Flags perform difficult spins and tosses while moving.  Together (“front unit”) they perform a very intricate routine.  Drill Team proceeds after the band and performs precise movements (march, pivots, hands, skips).  Pageantry begins with a traditional pose with the hand symbol “stags”, representing antlers.  All wear traditional uniforms, hats and shoes.  The level Pageantry masters is key to Pageantry’s consistent success.  

At the beginning of the performance run SPECTATORS ARE SILENT during the Drum Major’s spinning.  This is essential to allow the band to hear the Drum Major’s commands and whistle.  The Drum Major will spin a mace (a scored and awarded part of the competition), then the Band will begin.  The competition is judged with Band & Pageantry performing along a 400 foot-long section before the grandstand.  Judges will walk with the band, front unit and drill team.  The performance is not complete until the last person crosses the end line.  No one (other than judges) is permitted to walk alongside the band or immediately behind it.  Spectators must stay on the sidewalks and volunteers (carrying water, first aid kit, etc.) must stay well behind the band.  Please applaud once the band has completed the run.  GHS generally performs at least 4 review competitions a season.  

GHS performs 2 parades that are not judged: Homecoming and Christmas parades (see below).

Review practices are on the street by GHS and volunteers are needed to set up barricades blocking intersections, monitor those intersections, direct traffic, and distribute water. 

Field competitions.  These generally are at least 7 minutes long and are theatrical, with a theme and corresponding props, Pageantry costumes and flags.  Band usually wears the uniform jacket, black field pants and black shoes.  There are multiple musical movements, where the Band demonstrates musicianship and formations, and pageantry features choreography and skills with flags, rifles and sabres.  All facets are scored and depending upon the competition various awards and trophies are awarded.  GHS generally performs at least 4 field competitions a season.  These are fundraising events for the host schools so tickets are required for entry. 

Field Practices take place at GHS practice fields.  Parent volunteers are needed to help move equipment and distribute water.

On some weekends, to save time, expense, and travel, there are days when GHS will have a “double”, that is, Review in the morning and a Field competition later the same day.

Football Game Exhibition.  For practice and community involvement, the students perform Scotland the Brave and the Review piece circling the track prior to football games, and the field show throughout the season, as GHS builds upon it, at halftime (except at Homecoming, when it is before the game), as well as the National Anthem, the Alma Mater and from the stands.

“Awards”.  Ceremonies follow competitions, where the host school conducts very formal (cadence played by its battery and each school’s salute) distribution of trophies for each division (denoted 1A-6A, depending upon number of musicians) and various aspects of the Band & Pageantry and for overall performances.  Each school designates members of leadership as representatives.  Each school is announced as representatives enter the field.  GHS is disciplined and professional in marching to, attending, accepting and returning from Awards.  During the ceremony phones are off, silent and stored away.  Students hold applause until instructed by the Drum Major.

“Senior Circle”.  Traditions are part of GHS band culture and are VERY important.  “Senior Circle” is one such tradition.  When members return from whatever is the final competition of the season, seniors will be at the front of the line marching back in single file, with next season’s Head Piper performing Amazing Grace.  Note: Amazing Grace is not used in a religious or funeral-type context; rather, it is used very sparingly because it is how Band & Pageantry says “goodbye”.  Consistent with pipe bands’ practice of forming concentric circles in competition, seniors will go to the center and form the first, seniors-only interior circle.  Juniors-freshmen will form a second concentric circle — giving the seniors space – 2-3 members deep in order to see and hear their seniors.  A third concentric circle is formed at the outer perimeter consisting of family and friends.  This is how the seniors say farewell.  Seniors stand shoulder to shoulder, arms around each other and sway back and forth as a united whole, each having an opportunity to share an anecdote of something most meaningful and important to them about their Band & Pageantry experience.  The Piper plays in repetition until they are done.  It is emotional to say the least, for their bandmates who know they are going to lose their seniors at the end of the school year, and for the senior parents.  Senior Circle is to honor the seniors, special for them and their bandmates, and it is solemn, within the “family,” private and not for publication.  After, there is a get-together with gifts and flowers to the seniors and donated food and drinks and dessert array.

Ensembles / Performances.  Once the fall season is over at the end of the Fall semester, in the Spring (which in band world is called “Winter” as that’s when practices start) the various components of the band split and do separate performances and competitions – Drum Major, Pageantry, Drumline, Jazz Band, Pipe Band, Wind Ensemble and Concert Band. 

Drum Major (“DM”) There are DM competitions in the Spring, and also at Scottish festivals, for all those who have trained.

Winter Guard (“WG”) is 7^th period through after school.  Strictly Guard performances (scored, with awards) in costume, with elaborate routines, indoor in a host school gym, on a tarp covering the entire floor (often painted and called the “floor”).  Through eloquent movement to recorded music, using props and Guard implements, they tell a story.  WG performs at least 4 competitions and moves on to championships pending qualification.  There are donations/fees for Techs, entry fees and costumes.  These are fundraisers for the host school.  Tickets are required.

Winter Drumline (“DL”) is 7^th period through after school.  Also known as Indoor Percussion, Non-percussion instruments (trumpet, flute and string) may be featured.  The student does not have to be a percussion student to audition, and many come from Wind Ensemble.  DL performs a themed show, in costume, on a painted tarp laid on a gym floor.  There are props and often “visuals” (dancers, actors).  DL generally performs 4 competitions (scored, with awards), then moves on to championships pending qualification.  There are donations/fees for Techs, entry fees and costumes.  These are fundraisers for the host school.  Tickets are required.

Pipe Band (“PB”) is 7^th period through after school.  PB consists of bagpipers and pipe drummers (specialty snares, toms and bass).  Bagpipers typically take private session lessons at school and may start as early as middle school to learn this instrument.  Ordinarily their primary instrument is another wind instrument they play for field performances, but in Review, parades and in the stands at football they are pipers.  Pipe drummers often are not primarily drummers; many come from Wind Ensemble.  In Spring semester members compete in tournaments in full traditional regalia.  These tournaments are not affiliated with schools as there is no such league; rather, PB competes at Scottish festivals across weekends (e.g., Costa Mesa, Las Vegas), where there is much to see and do beyond watching bands (games, crafts, etc.).  PB often competes against adult bands and consistently takes top honors in its class.  There are donations/fees and travel expenses.

Jazz Band (“JB”) is a class throughout the year (4^th period).  There is no cost.  JB has limited space because competitions have a limited and pre-set number of seats on stage for performers. JB consists of trombones, trumpets, clarinets, saxophones, vibraphone, piano, bass guitar, guitar, drum kit and a singer.  There is a challenging audition with the Director, and students are encouraged to audition, as making it into JB is quite an achievement.  This is musicianship at the highest level.  Students must know how to play as they read (“sight reading”), know standard scales for their instrument proficiently, be able to play an audition piece, and be able to improvise.  There are usually 1 to 3 competitions in Spring that take place at host schools.  There are awards.  After their set, students are typically brought to a room where experienced jazz teachers give them pointers.  JB performs at home basketball games.  JB performs in dress black with a tartan tie. 

Wind ensemble (“WE”) is a year-long class.  This is indoor playing at a high level in concert-style performance in seated arced rows.  Musicians audition before the Director as required to determine proficiency – scales, reading, audition piece – and placement (first chair, soloists, etc.).  WE performs in white dress shirts, black pants, black tie, or black dresses.

Concert Band (“CB”) is a year-long class, typically students who were in middle school band but who’ve not yet made the move to marching band and/or WE or who have other activities competing for their time but wish to continue with music.  It is common for them to move to Marching Band and WE.  CB performs in white dress shirts, black pants, black tie, or black dresses.

Homecoming.  Band & Pageantry performs in the homecoming parade, marching down Glendora Avenue and loads and quickly moves to the homecoming football game where it will perform its field show prior to the game to allow half-time to be used for Homecoming Court announcement.

Christmas Parade. Band & Pageantry starts the Glendora Christmas parade, at Bennett & Glendora, heads South and proceeds West on Foothill to Grand Avenue and ending at Sandburg Middle School.  Typically the season’s trophies are mounted on a truck or trailer bed and pulled behind the band to demonstrate awards for just that season.  Following the parade, the members take pictures with their bandmates, their grade level members, and their sections.

Bandorama.  This is the largest fundraiser.  It is a celebration of all sections coming together for one final performance.  Tickets are sold and items are available for purchase.  The performance usually takes place at an off-site auditorium with dramatic risers, lighting, curtains, etc.  Band performs in full uniform in place, pageantry performs its moves in limited space.  There are performances by Pageantry, JB, PB, WE and CB. 

The last 3 works are highly significant traditions.  The Band performs “Highland Cathedral”, starting with a single pipe snare, moving on to pipers then the entire Band, with a solo Flag Captain performance.  So moving it is not only the unofficial 2d National Anthem of Scotland, notably, it contains these words in the first verse which hold deep meaning for Tartan Band & Pageantry:

Gone is the past, let us start anew.

Let this hope of peace, always remain

Spirit of Scotia, be strong and true

Then your children will smile again, again, again, again…

Our children moving on to graduating seniors.  The rest carrying on the legacy and starting anew in fall.  Band & Pageantry spirit being strong and true.  It is a perfect coincidence that there is one “again” for Review formation: Front Unit – Pipers – Band – Drill Team. 

The Closer, showcasing the entire Band & Pageantry, is a pipe tune called “Scotch on the Rocks”, which flows into Scotland the Brave, GHS’ enduring anthem. 

We conclude with Amazing Grace.  This is the only other – and last – time it is used for the season.  The seniors said goodbye to their Band & Pageantry at Senior Circle, now here they say goodbye to their school, and the Band as a whole says farewell.  Again, extremely emotional as this is the last few moments that this group, with these members, will ever play together.  Starting with a solo piper, moving to accompaniment by all pipers and the entire band, a final spin of the Mace and salute by the Drum Major, and concluding with the solo piper as the curtains close and the auditorium goes dark.

Jazz Under the Stars.  The second biggest fundraiser is Jazz Under the Stars.  For this outdoor, evening event, tickets are sold and it generally takes place off-site.  Although only the JB performs – roughly a dozen pieces that it has been working on throughout the year – the fundraising goes to the entire program, not just JB, so everyone contributes — including and especially leadership, who help out in all other endeavors, such as staffing food tables and silent auction.  There is food and drink, silent auctions, raffles, door prizes, items for purchase, and donations.

Spring Concerts/Show-off.   To demonstrate to one another, their families and the student body what they’ve been working on, the various sections put on Spring showcases.  District Concert consists of all GUSD bands, from elementary to high school.

Exhibitions.  Band & Pageantry leadership may give a small performance as the middle schools as a demonstration and to invite the middle schools to join Bands & Pageantry.

Banquet.  This takes place off site at the end of the school year.  Letters, awards (serious and gag), pins and certificates given and fall Section and administrative leaders announced with previous season’s leaders formally handing the position to them.  This is a “dressy” event.  There is dinner and music, a slide presentation, speeches and photo opportunities.  At the end, seniors may choose one trophy from when they were freshmen (this is how these are distributed otherwise a warehouse would be needed for all trophies, plaques and awards won over decades).

Graduation.  Non-senior Wind Ensemble and Pipers play at graduation, including the National Anthem, Alma Mater and Pomp & Circumstance.

Letters, Patches & Pins.  To “Letter” in a high school activity has traditionally meant the student has demonstrated high proficiency in a sport or activity (making varsity), plus good grades and high moral character/citizenship.  A “Letter” (a large letter patch) is thus a sign of achievement.  In GHS Band & Pageantry these are awarded after one full fall season, including requisite practices and competitions, and no demerits for absences, behavior or grades.  Letters are announced at Banquet (with certificate- patch distributed later (these go on a jacket, see below)).

Patches & Pins: At some competitions (Review, Field, Winter Guard, Winter Drumline), host schools sell commemorative patches and pins.  These will go on jackets later (see below).  If Band Boosters are able to order them in advance Boosters generally takes orders.  It is wise to order them through Boosters in advance.  Vendors at competitions do run out. 

Lettermen Jackets.  Many Band & Pageantry students will purchase a “lettermen” jacket around or after sophomore year (after receiving their letters).  Because of the number of accomplishments, patches, and pins these students earn, these are walking trophy cases and are a very big deal among Band & Pageantry students.  These are available from a limited number of local establishments (although these can be purchased from vendors on line, this is not recommended as the quality is unknown, there is little variety of patches and services, and online outlets don’t know anything about GHS customs).  Jackets are highly customizable: sleeves, hood (usually girls), collar (usually boys), cuffs, buttons, trims, location of name, fonts, colors are all a matter of taste.  You will have to make an appointment for sizing and selections.  Standard guidelines (usual, but not required and some students like to buck convention and keep school colors but change the location):

Jacket base: Black                   Sleeves:  White           Buttons: White, black or red

Hood: Red (usually) or black, last name on hood, hangs on back like a cape.

Collar, matches cuffs.  If collar instead of hood, last name written across the top of the back.

Cuffs: Red, black and white, solid or in striped patterns.

Last name on back: font chosen by the student, often BLOCK (boys), Script (girls)

Front Left: Letter goes over the heart, often with small patch overlays on it, such as the word “BAND” and the student’s primary instrument or say, a flag.  These small patches are usually available from the vendor.

Front right: first name.  Often student will choose a Gaelic font that closely resembles that used by Band & Pageantry.  Under name, student may put “Section Leader” (rather than “SL” on sleeve) if they’ve earned this.  Pins above or below name (after graduation so they don’t lose them!); Pageantry is fond of putting pins on the hood.  Below name, students may place small chevrons to indicate each year in Band (unless they want large chevrons on sleeve with the years -which the student won’t be able to do if the student runs out of space, see below).

Back: last name and patches: Traditionally, a piper patch in the center – this does not mean one is in pipe band, rather this is the symbol of the Band, or the Guard emblem for Pageantry.  Around it, activity patches from each event.  It is highly recommended to save up patches and have them sewn on in batches, at the place of jacket purchase; they carefully disconnect the lining, sew the patches where requested, then sew the lining back on. 

Sleeves:  Each sleeve has room for 4 rows of patches.  Top left or right (usually right) patch for graduation year.  Top opposite side: patch for main activity (marching band or pageantry). Sleeve initials, in school colors, are available at the jacket vendors.  These are particular to the activity.  These are impressive and students (including other schools) know what they mean.  Examples:

MB = Marching Band            PG = Pageantry           BB = Band Board (all student leadership)

DL = Drumline                        WG = Winterguard     P  = Percussion

JB = Jazz Band                       PB = Pipe Band          WE = Wind Ensemble

CB = Concert Band                SL = Section Leader   DM = Drum Major

Jackets are costly, and the more you customize and add (cost for patches, letters and sewing them on), the more expensive the jacket. 

Conduct.  Band & Pageantry members hold themselves to a higher standard, with professionalism, poise, character, grace and maturity.  Obscene speech, attire and conduct, as well as bullying behavior (as opposed to reporting actual emergencies or criminal or unlawful acts) are not acceptable and are not to be tolerated.  This is “low” behavior that reflects poorly on the program, parents, and oneself.  Failing grades or grades below District minimum requirement can result in disqualification from the program or an ensemble.