The Sandy Creek High School Marching Patriot Band is an extra-curricular activity open to any SCHS student who demonstrates the necessary proficiencies, exemplifies good moral and social behavior, and meets the necessary requirements. The various components of the Marching Band include the Color Guard, the Drum Line and the Horn Line.

Members of the Color Guard are chosen in the spring prior to participation in the fall. The fall guard members are considered members of the Marching Patriots Band and are expected to attend all marching band events, practices, and performances. Color guard occurs during the fall season along with Football. The color guard performs with the marching band to create the show. The marching band plays music as well as creates formations on the field while the guard dances and spins. Most high school teams perform during half-time of their school’s games; as well as doing stand dances during the game. (Stand dances = the band plays tunes and the guard dances)..

How to register for Color Guard?

If you are interested in being a part of the 2025 Patriot Marching Band - Color Guard:

1. Please be sure that you (and your parents) are aware of the requirements and commitments listed below. Mark the dates below on your family calendar to avoid conflicts with other activities. 
2. Register under the Join Us tab
3. New and existing members must register. Existing member information will be updated if using the same email address that Boosterhub communications currently routes to.
4. By registering online you agree to the rules within this website and the Sandy Creek bands handbook

Details

Schedule 2025-26

Sandy Creek High School = SCHS

*all practices at SCHS unless otherwise noted.

**dates and times subject to change, but will be communicated well in advance**

Color Guard Tryouts: March 31st- April 4th, 4pm-5pm

MB Leadership Tryouts: 4/14-4/17, 4pm-5:30pm

Drum Major Tryouts: April 14- April 17, 4pm-5:30pm

Percussion Tryouts: TBD, 4:00-5:30pm

Mandatory Music Camp (all instrumentalists): May 12-16, 4:00-5:30pm

Color Guard Rookie Camp: June 23-27, 9am-12pm

Mandatory Parent Meeting: July 17th , 7pm, SCHS Auditorium

Mandatory Band Camp: July 21st - August 1st. (M-F); SCHS Band Room & Practice Field

Week 1: 9am-8pm Full Band (bring lunch),

Week 2: 3pm - 8pm full band (bring lunch); *7/30 & 7/31 - 1pm-3pm for uniform fittings*

Friends & Family Day: August 2nd- Time: 10AM, Sandy Creek High School

School Starts August 4th.

Marching Band Practices* :

• Monday : 4:00- 5:15pm
• Tuesday/Thursday : 4:00-6:00pm
• This schedule may continue for the entire football season, including play-off games*.

Sports Physical

Your child will need to complete the GHSA Physical Form, Code of Conduct, and Parental Consent form through Rank One, the system that all high school sports are required to utilize. Marching Band, Color Guard, and Winter Guard participants must all have a physical on file before the first practice.

In addition, if your student is not performing in one of the aforementioned bands, but plans to travel by car (drive on their own) to a band event (students and parents will be communicated with when an event justifies student drivers allowed), the Rank One profile must also be completed for safety per school district policies.

Click here to register and upload physical into Rank One. The physical is valid for up to one year from the date of completion. The physical can be utilized for all sports and activities for the 25-26 school year.

Performance Commitments

• All SCHS football games (Fri; as well as playoff games in November & December (dates TBD).

• Marching Band Competitions (two Saturdays in October) *Please do not schedule any SAT/ACT testing in October.

• Fayette County Exhibition Performance (Date: TBA). Typically held in September.

• Parades/Special Performances: (SCHS Homecoming Parade, Tyrone Founder’s Day Parade), pep rallies, school wide events (Women's History month, feeder school performances)     

Post Performance/Practice Transportation

• In recent years we have had issues with on-time pickup of students after events, games, and practices. You must provide timely transportation for your student(s). If the issue persists we will not allow for the affected student(s) to participate in the marching band. We send out weekly emails to make sure all guardians have the correct pickup times for students.

We welcome new and returning students to Sandy Creek and look forward to having a great time!

Sincerely,

Ivy Gray, Color Guard Instructor

John Kelley, Band Director

Brian Cleveland, Assistant Band Director

Participation Fees

How to pay fees:

All fees must be paid via our Band website online store here: https://sandycreekbands.boosterhub.com/store/2683

Payment links will be updated in our store by April 9th. Paying online allows you to receive a receipt and reflects on your band account immediately.

Fees:

Membership fees pay for instruction, equipment, music, drill, props, uniform rental, events, transportation, necessities for performance, etc.

• $750
• 20% multi-child discount
• Prior year unused volunteer credits may be utilized to offset costs
• Parent volunteer credit and fundraising. Throughout the season there will be opportunities for parents to volunteer at events and students to participate in fundraising. Details of those events will be shared at the band end of year awards in May.

Fee Schedule:

Fees are broken down into three payments. If paid in full before the deadline, a $25 reduction in fees will be applied! You are more than welcome to make one payment in full as well.

• Payment #1: Non-refundable deposit $225.00 Due May 15th (secures spot/uniform)
• Payment #2: $200 Due July 15th
• Payment #3: $175-$350 (the final payment may be less depending on volunteer hour credits through November 15th)

Fee Breakdown:

• $100 for food throughout the season. Students will be fed before each game.

• $45 bag - each student will be provided with a Sandy Creek Band duffle bag that will be considered a part of their uniform for the season.

• $30-gallon water jugs - students will be provided with a Sandy Creek Band water jug that will be considered a part of their uniform for the season.

• $20 - Show shirt - each student will receive a show shirt that is part of their uniform for the season.

• $225 - uniform deposit, dance shoes, dance tights (2 pr)

• $330 - remaining uniform fee, buses, equipment purchases, props and competition entry fees
• Classroom band fees included for participants

*Not included in fee is $55 for a warm up jacket (new members only- rookies) to be paid by May 24th via band website Store.

**There are several items that guard members will need to purchase on their own that are not covered by dues. (Show makeup, hair supplies, specialty undergarments, electrical tape, etc. The Color Guard Instructor will advise when these items are needed.…). ***

Parent FAQs

What is Guard?

Guard is often described as a visual interpretation of music. As a team moves across the field with the marching band, a story is told about the music heard.

In Guard, members spin flags, rifles, and sabers. They might even use other items such as ribbons, batons, bags, chairs, or other kinds of props. By learning and using the basics of ballet combined with the aforementioned props a show is created.

Who can participate?

SCHS allows students to perform on guard teams when they are entering 9th grade. While guard is under the direction of the Band Director, one does not need to be in band to participate. In fact, most do not.

How much does it cost to participate in the Color Guard?

The cost for marching season is between $750 to $805. Budgets are made up for the season and the total expenses are divided among the number of participants. The more people participating and the more help we have fundraising, the smaller the fee!

Will I need to buy anything else to participate? Yes.  Guard members should have basic neutral makeup. Depending on the show design they may be asked to buy additional eye shadow. Other items include shoes, body tights, flag bag, and gloves. Personal flags, rifles, and sabres are not required but can be helpful. Coaches may also decide to get ‘team gear’ – duffle, cooler, shirts, and/or jackets.

For band camp and weekly practices, we strongly suggest the following items: comfortable athletic clothes, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, deodorant, hats, sunglasses, and cooling items like fans, cooling towels, etc.

Where are practices held?

All practices are held at Sandy Creek High School (SCHS). Where on the campus will vary depending on the weather, what is being practiced, and what other activities are going on at SCHS that day. The band room is ‘home base’ and there is a hallway where color guard members can store their flag bags if desired. The most common locations for practice are in ‘the cafeteria’ or the SCHS hallway near the band room.

How do typical Friday night games work?

Usually the students have a short practice and then they are served dinner before heading to the game. If the game is away there isn’t much of a practice before eating and getting on the buses. During the games, the students are in the stands with the band and will perform ‘stand dances’ when the band plays pep songs. Half time is when they get to perform some or all of their show.

Both schools have the opportunity to perform and the away team gets to go first. Sometimes there is only enough time for one band to perform at the beginning of the season and they will not perform at special occasion games like Homecoming and Senior night. The students get third quarter to get some food, go to the bathrooms, etc. There are parent volunteers watching the instruments and belongings in the stands during this time. Once the game is over, the students put their gear away and can head home. Games usually start at 7:30pm.