Marching Band & Color Guard
Marching Band & Color Guard (MBCG) is part of Los Altos High School’s Instrumental Music program — but with 50-plus students, a full fall competition season, and a major share of the activity, it gets a page of its own. Each fall, students build a competitive field show from the ground up and perform it at football games, community events, and Western Band Association competitions across California. Marching Band & Color Guard also satisfies the LAHS physical education requirement.
Directed by band director Ted Ferrucci, with the marching band and color guard instructional staff.
The season
The year begins with a fall band camp, where students learn the show and come together as a group before classes ramp up. From there the ensemble performs at home football game halftimes and travels to regional competitions through the fall, building toward championship weekend. The season is capped by a senior banquet celebrating our graduating performers.
It’s an intense, rewarding season — and it only happens with significant parent support.
Season calendar
The full Marching Band & Color Guard calendar runs from summer band camp through the end of the fall season, with roughly two dozen rehearsals, performances, competitions, and events. It’s updated each season — the entries below are a representative sample of the format.
| When | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| August | Summer rehearsals begin | Pre-season practices ramp up before school |
| September | Fall band camp | Multi-day camp where the show comes together |
| September | Uniform fittings | All students sized for uniforms |
| September–October | Home football halftime shows | Performances at home games |
| October | Regional competitions | First competitive shows of the season |
| November | Championship weekend | Out-of-town championship competition (travel) |
| December | Senior banquet | End-of-season celebration |
| Spring | Uniform cleaning & return | Volunteer help to prep uniforms for storage |
Volunteer & calendar sheet
We coordinate the full schedule and all volunteer sign-ups through a shared Google Sheet that lists every event and the roles we need filled. Use the Volunteer sign-up sheet button at the bottom of this page to open it and choose the spots that work for you.
Get involved
MBCG depends on parent volunteers more than any other program. Families help with:
- Equipment trucks — loading and driving gear to performances and competitions
- Chaperoning at camp, games, and overnight competition trips
- Meals and hospitality on the road
- Props, uniforms, and fittings
- Volunteer coordination — leading and scheduling the parent crew
To plug in, use the volunteer sign-up sheet (button below), join the Marching Band Google Group for schedules and news, and come to the MBCG portion of the monthly Boosters meeting.
Monthly meeting
The Boosters hold a monthly Zoom meeting open to all parents, with a Marching Band & Color Guard segment that covers upcoming performances, travel logistics, and volunteer needs. The link is shared through the Google Group.
Support the program
Marching Band & Color Guard is our largest undertaking — covering support staff, travel, and equipment for the full competitive season. Your tax-deductible gift makes it possible.