Wildcat Show Band

Extracurricular activity offered at Oak Harbor High School.

What is It?

The Wildcat Show Band incorporates the drumline, front ensemble (pit), wind players and color guard into one unit. It begins rehearsing in the summer and continues through football season. Some schools refer to this activity as Marching Band. Performances include all varsity football home game halftimes, marching band competitions, and various parades. The Show Band is the most visible element of the OHHS band program.

Show Band is an extracurricular activity and voluntary for all 9-12 grade students. Any student with at least 1 year of band experience is invited to join us.

Fall 2026 interest form and/or sign-up form will be available in the spring of 2026

If you have any questions you can contact Mr. Petty.

Oak Harbor High School Color Guard & Winter Guard

Color Guard

Color Guard visually brings the band's music to life through dancing and acting while spinning flags, rifles, sabres, other equipment/props. They always perform & compete with the Wildcat Show Band.

No experience is required. No band class requirement. 

They will take any student who is willing/eager to learn, committed to the program and its schedule, which is in addition to the Show Band schedule. 

Why Join?

Freshmen are highly recommended to participate. This is an opportunity to get to know the school and the other students early, and become a member of the Wildcat Band Family. Those who participate will become a part of a huge group of friends before school even starts.  

  • Band members, it is fun to move and play, and you will play louder than you have ever played before.
  • Guard members, it is fun to express yourself through dance & acting while spinning and throwing equipment around the band members.
  • It is fun to have many people happy-screaming at you while you move and/or play loud.
  • You get the travel and meet other bands. The Wildcat Show Band will go to two competition (contest) trips in 2026.
  • Band members receive extra points towards lettering in band.
  • Guard members receive credit towards lettering in guard.
  • Band members get first choice of band instrument lockers and uniforms.
  • Make friends. Band & guard members will not be lonely on the first day of school. They will see familiar faces which puts their mind at ease and helps with first day jitters.

2026 Fees

COMING SOON (2025 fees were $40)

Students will also be required to buy some equipment and/or personal attire - see lists below.

*Color Guard does not pay this fee.

Do not let an equipment or financial issue stop you from becoming a part of this exciting team! If you have any concerns or issues, talk to Mr. Petty or the Band Boosters. We can provide creative solutions!

Membership requirements

-Be enrolled in a band class OR have already completed an OHHS Band Class.

-Returning students do not need to be in any band class. 

-New wind & percussion students must be enrolled in a band class.

-Color Guard members do not need to be enrolled in a band class.

2026 Band Camp

- Aug 3 - 7, TIMES TBA: Drumline, Front Ensemble & Color Guard

-Aug 10 - 14 & 17 - 21, TIMES TBA: All band & guard sections 

Sometimes band camp conflicts with new student orientation, and we excuse students from those days.

See "If You Are Absent" below about important info on attendance for camp & rehearsals.
Performances
Show Band performs at all OHHS Varsity home games, attends 2 marching band competitions and 1-2 parades. In 25/26, the band heads out to Spokane for the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade followed by a day at Silverwood Theme Park.

If You Are Absent
-You leave a hole in the form, which distorts the band’s shape and this can cause safety issues. Unexcused absences from regular rehearsals or band camp may result in being removed from the band or limited performance privileges.

Band Rehearsals

Show Band (all sections): Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3pm - 5pm

Some band sections will choose to have extra rehearsals outside of the regular rehearsal time. More info given at camp.

Required Equipment/accessories

Do not let an equipment or financial issue stop you from becoming a part of this exciting team! If you have any concerns or issues, talk to Mr. Petty or the Band Boosters. We can provide creative solutions!

BAND MEMBERS 
- Earplugs
- A big, opaque water bottle. No little plastic bottles, get an insulated cooler that holds at least a quart.
- BLACK Marching Band Shoes.
     - Preferred brand: Dinkles
     - ROTC Shoes are not acceptable. Black dress shoes are not acceptable.
     - Students moving from another school with other shoes: those shoes should be ok.
     - Shoes are for performance not practice, but some students get 2 pairs and use one for practices.
- 100% BLACK shirt & socks
     - No stripes, logos, patterns, or holes.
- A flip folder with 15+ pages.
     - Tubas get flute flip folders. Stores between here and Interstate 5 sell flip folders with 5 pages, and extra pages for cheap. Comparable prices can be found online.
- A lyre to hold the flip folder. They can be bought in town or online for less than $20. Flutes and tubas should get the special “flute” flip folders that strap onto your arm. Trombones should get flip folders that attach to their bell without a lyre. Percussion students do not need a lyre.

Instrument-specific supplies:
- Brass: Valve oil.
- Woodwinds:
     - Cork grease.
     - Reeds. Plastic preferred for marching band.
          - Size-3 reeds or harder, and at least 4 reeds, so you can rotate them each week OR
          - Plastic or fiber-product reed is recommended, but not required. If you get a plastic reed, you will only need one, and it won’t be affected by the weather.
- Percussion:
     - Drumsticks, any kind.
     - Practice pad.
     - Marching snare drums: “Innovative Percussion - Paul Rennick 2” or “IP - PR2”.
     - Sticks will be provided for other instruments.

Instruments
Most students bring their own instrument. You may want to consider an alternate instrument for outdoor use. If you are getting a “step-up” instrument for high school / post-high school, you should keep your old instrument for marching band. Please see the chart below.

COLOR GUARD MEMBERS
Specific brands/styles required. Click HERE to view links to required and suggested brands for items listed below, contact guard staff via BAND app group or email rgiugliano@ohsd.net for more info or if you have questions.
- Earplugs
- A big water bottle
     - No little plastic bottles, get an insulated bottle or a cooler.
- Long sleeved black compression shirt
- Color Guard Shoes
     - Dinkles Stinger Frontline in BLACK
- Guard Gloves in tan color
- Knee Pads
- 100% Black Crew (or longer) Socks
     - No ankle/no-show socks. No stripes, logos, patterns, or holes.

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