In 2000, the Ypsilanti High School Marching Braves entered the competitive arena for marching bands. Participation for the band starts in July with the 4th of July parade, followed by the Heritage Festival Parade in August. There are one or more rehearsals before each parade. All Marching Braves members must attend Band Camp, where basic and advanced marching techniques are taught and the competitive show is learned. Rehearsals take place Monday and Wednesday nights (around 6:30-9:00). The Marching Braves perform at all home football games and selected MCBA sanctioned competitions.

The Marching Braves are led by one Drum Major and two Drum Minor's. Drum Majors & Minors are juniors or seniors. Try-outs for these positions are held in the spring. All three are required to attend Drum Major camp as well as Band Camp.

BAND CAMP

2001 SHOW PHOTOS

Marching Band Requirements:

1. Fourth of July Parade, Thrusday, July 4, 2002, time will be announced.
Parade practice is Wednsesday, July 3, 6:00 - 7:30 pm at YHS in the Band Room.
2. Heritage Festival Parade, Saturday, August 17, 2002 , time will be announced.
3. Memorial Day Parade, 2003, when students are in 9th grade.
4. Attend pre-Band Camp rehearsals, all 6-8 p.m. : August 5, 7, 12, 14, 16.
5. Attend Band Camp: Sunday, August 18 through Saturday, August 24. Cedar Point trip: Sunday, August 25 (scheduled as part of the camp activities).
6. Participate in all marching activities at YHS Varsity Home Football Games on Friday evenings in September and October. Participate in the Homecoming Parade.
7. Attend marching practices during game and competitive season:

Mondays, 6:30-9:00 p.m. (starting August 26)

Wednesdays, 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Saturdays, 9-1:00 p.m.

Scheduled Guard (flag corps) and Percussion rehearsals, TBA

8. Participate in marching band competitions on Saturdays in September and October, and State Finals in November.
9. Purchase a summer uniform.

Uniform Information

Summer Uniform

1. One yellow Marching Braves shirt
2. One pair of purple or black coaches-style shorts
3. Braves logo socks

Participation in marching band requires the purchase of a summer uniform, which consists of a yellow shirt with the Braves logo, official Braves marching shorts and Braves socks. The uniform currently costs approximately $45. These must be ordered by the student�s family in April and are distributed to the students before the 4th of July parade. Used uniforms can sometimes be obtained from students who have graduated. The summer uniform is worn for the parades and the marching demonstration at Band Camp. Only one uniform is needed per student, although some students like to have more than one pair of socks.

Sizing: Shirt size should be selected appropriately because the shirts must be neatly tucked in.
Footwear: Plain all-white tennis shoes or other comfortable athletic style footwear.

Fall Uniform

The 2002 Marching Braves have the honor of wearing the marching uniforms that were purchased in the spring of 1997. These outstanding uniforms were made possible by the generosity of the Ypsilanti Public Schools. The uniform consists of a yellow jacket-style top, black pants, and a plumed hat.

White Gloves: Each student must purchase white gloves. The YBA will sell these at cost (approximately $3). They will be available for purchase at the marching band uniform fitting in August.
Footwear: Black marching shoes, black socks. The shoes are ordered by the YBA and sold to the student at cost (approximately $20).
Dry Cleaning: A nominal dry cleaning fee (currently $13.50) is collected in the fall to cover the cost of cleaning the concert and marching uniforms.

Marching Staff

Directior: David Leach & Scott Heister.

Drill Design: Scott Heister

Percussion Director: Fred Haydon

Percussion Staff: Clint Sabbon, Luke Palnau, Quinton Quiney and Brian Lazaro

Color Guard Staff: Kelly Chapman, Ann Sanborn, Wendy Walker and Marlene Stieger

Visual Staff: Kurtiss Smith, Brent Schooley, Steve Feltner, Joshua Pete, Jenny Lewis, Jennifer Mathiak, and Brandon Genaw

2001 Drum Major: Kate Foley

2001 Drum Minors: Sean Cloyd & Jon Alef