Blue Devil Marching Band
What's next on our calendar?
Registration for the 2024 Gull Lake Blue Devil Marching Band is now open!
Click on the buttons below for full details!
2024 MCBA State Championships competition at Ford Field - Saturday, November 2, 2024
Congratulations to the Blue Devil Marching Band on their 4th place finish in Flight IV at the 2023 State Championships! Thank you to all of the families, friends, Gull Lake School District administrators, and sponsors who supported the Band through the 2023 season!
The 2024 State Championships will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024
2024 Kalamazoo Maple Hill Holiday Parade - expected date - Saturday, November 23
We'll see you downtown Kalamazoo for the annual Holiday Parade!
Students and parents - please watch the BAND groups for full details.
www.kalamazooholidayparade.org/
Registration for the 2024 Gull Lake Blue Devil Marching Band is now open!
Click on the buttons below for full details!
Click on the buttons below for full details!
2024 MCBA State Championships competition at Ford Field - Saturday, November 2, 2024
Congratulations to the Blue Devil Marching Band on their 4th place finish in Flight IV at the 2023 State Championships! Thank you to all of the families, friends, Gull Lake School District administrators, and sponsors who supported the Band through the 2023 season!
The 2024 State Championships will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024
2024 Kalamazoo Maple Hill Holiday Parade - expected date - Saturday, November 23
We'll see you downtown Kalamazoo for the annual Holiday Parade!
Students and parents - please watch the BAND groups for full details.
www.kalamazooholidayparade.org/
Registration for the 2024 Gull Lake Blue Devil Marching Band is now open!
Click on the buttons below for full details!
2024 Color Guard workshops -- all returning members and potential new members should attend the four workshops.
Workshops are held in place of auditions. The 2024 team will be selected from the workshop participants.
All Guard members are required to attend rehearsals once the team has been selected.
Please wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes and bring a filled water bottle.
Workshops will be held in the Auxiliary Gym at the High School.
April 15, 6:00 - 8:30 PM (updated -- please note that the paperwork packet says 6:00 - 9:00!)
April 17, 6:00 - 8:30 PM (updated -- please note that the paperwork packet says 6:00 - 9:00!)
April 22, 6:00 - 8:30 PM (updated -- please note that the paperwork packet says 6:00 - 9:00!)
April 24, 6:00 - 8:30 PM (updated -- please note that the paperwork packet says 6:00 - 9:00!)
Workshops are held in place of auditions. The 2024 team will be selected from the workshop participants.
All Guard members are required to attend rehearsals once the team has been selected.
Please wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes and bring a filled water bottle.
Workshops will be held in the Auxiliary Gym at the High School.
April 15, 6:00 - 8:30 PM (updated -- please note that the paperwork packet says 6:00 - 9:00!)
April 17, 6:00 - 8:30 PM (updated -- please note that the paperwork packet says 6:00 - 9:00!)
April 22, 6:00 - 8:30 PM (updated -- please note that the paperwork packet says 6:00 - 9:00!)
April 24, 6:00 - 8:30 PM (updated -- please note that the paperwork packet says 6:00 - 9:00!)
2024 Marching Band Percussion auditions -- all returning members and potential new members should attend the four auditions.
Students will audition on all percussion equipment (drum line and front ensemble).
Instruments will be assigned based on the audition results.
All percussion members are required to attend rehearsals once instruments have been assigned.
Please meet in the High School Band Room.
April 29, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
May 1, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
May 6, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
May 8, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
How do I register my student for the 2024 Blue Devil Marching Band or Color Guard?
Step 1---- download, print, complete and return the full packet by 2:00 PM, Friday, April 26, 2024 to Mrs. Stark in the Band Office.
The paperwork packet includes all necessary forms and the preliminary calendar.
Paper copies of the packet are also available in the Band Office.
You may return completed paper copies to the Band Office or scan and email your completed forms to Mrs. Stark, [email protected]
The paperwork packet includes all necessary forms and the preliminary calendar.
Paper copies of the packet are also available in the Band Office.
You may return completed paper copies to the Band Office or scan and email your completed forms to Mrs. Stark, [email protected]
Step 2 --- complete the online registration form by 2:00 PM, Friday, April 26, 2024
The online registration is in addition to the paperwork packet.
Step 3 --- make your deposit payment by check, cash or online through E~Funds by 2:00 PM, Friday, April 26, 2024.
If paying through E~Funds, use the "Pay for Optional Fees" option on the first screen and then make your choice of a single payment, installment payment, apparel payment, or donation.
Payments may be made in three installments:
$150 non-refundable deposit due April 26 ("Student Fee Payment #1" on E~Funds)
$150 installment due May 31 ("Student Fee Payment #2" on E~Funds)
$100 installment due July 30 ("Student Fee Payment #3" on E~Funds)
* OR *
you may pay the $400 fee in full by April 26 ("Student Fee Single Payment" on E~Funds)
Checks should be written to Gull Lake Community Schools and delivered to the Band Office. Cash payments should be exact change in a sealed, named envelope and delivered to the Band Office. We are unable to make change for cash payments.
Please email Mrs. Stark if you would like to use GLBPA trip account credits toward your Marching Band fees. Trip account credits are earned through the GLBPA by volunteering in the fall concession stand or participating in designated fundraisers. Trip account credits may pay for Marching Band fees, but are not eligible to pay for apparel.
Step 4 --- make your payment for personal uniform apparel items by check, cash or online through E~Funds by 8:00 AM, Tuesday, July 30.
If paying through E~Funds, use the "Pay for Optional Fees" option on the first screen and then make your choice of a single payment, installment payment, apparel payment, or donation.
Use the E~Funds option "Band Apparel and Fees" for apparel payments.
Please see the worksheet in the packet for required items.
Checks should be written to Gull Lake Community Schools and delivered to the Band Office. Cash payments should be exact change in a sealed, named envelope and delivered to the Band Office. We are unable to make change for cash payments.
GLBPA trip account credits may not be used to pay for apparel.
Need another copy of a form from the packet? Click the buttons below to download and print another copy.
All student participants must have a completed Ford Field Release of Claims form on file no later than 2:00 PM, Friday, September 13, 2024.
All parents who wish to volunteer at Ford Field must also complete their own form. The MCBA Ford Field form is in addition to the GLCS Request to Volunteer form.
If possible, submit your Ford Field forms with your completed Marching Band packet. Late forms may be accepted until 2:00 PM, Friday, September 13, 2024.
No student Marching Band member or adult volunteer will be allowed to participate at Ford Field without a release form on file by the deadline.
Who can join the Blue Devil Marching Band or Color Guard?
The Blue Devil Marching Band is composed of instrumental and Color Guard performers and is open to students of all proficiency levels who have successfully completed a Middle School band program (grades 6 - 7 - 8) or, at the discretion of the Band Director and Color Guard coach, have successfully auditioned for a part. Instrumental students must participate in at least one trimester of Concert or Symphonic Band during the school year to be eligible for the Marching Band the following fall. Students who wish to march with a secondary instrument must make prior arrangements with Mrs. Peters. Approval for a secondary instrument is at the discretion of the Band Director. Any student who who is approved to march with a secondary instrument will return to their primary instrument for Concert or Symphonic Band.
Students practice throughout the summer, preparing music and drill in required sectionals, full band rehearsals, Pre-camp and the annual week-long Band Camp held at GLHS, all leading up to the fall marching season. Marching Band and Color Guard members are part of the Marching Band graded class, meeting daily during the first trimester, as well as required after-school, evening, and weekend rehearsals; home varsity football games; and weekend competitions. Student-athletes who wish to participate on both a fall sports team and with the Marching Band or Color Guard should email Mrs. Peters ASAP.
Color Guard members are selected based on their workshop participation during the prior Spring. Both girls and boys are eligible to participate in the Color Guard.
When do the Marching Band and Color Guard rehearse? When do they perform?
Students practice throughout the summer, preparing music and drill in required sectionals, full band rehearsals, Pre-camp and the annual week-long Band Camp held at GLHS, all leading up to the fall marching season. Marching Band and Color Guard members are part of the Marching Band, which is a graded class, meeting daily during the first trimester, as well as required after school, evening and weekend rehearsals; home varsity football games; and weekend competitions. Many student-athletes participate on both a fall sports team and with the Marching Band or Color Guard; students should email Mrs. Peters for more information.
The rehearsal schedule, competition schedule, and home varsity football game schedule will be posted as dates are confirmed. Call times will be confirmed before each performance. Events are required unless marked as optional; optional events are highly recommended if students are available. Additional required evening and weekend rehearsals may be added at the Band Director's discretion. Individual sectional rehearsals may be scheduled by the student leaders and may not be included or updated here. Please note that the rehearsal and performance schedule is subject to change at any time.
Participation in rehearsals, football games, and competitions is mandatory; unexcused absences will affect the student's grade.
New forms are required annually for all students participating in Marching Band, including instrumental students and Color Guard members, as well as for parents who wish to volunteer with the Band program.
What does my fee cover?
The Marching Band fee covers expenses for seasonal instructional staff; show design (music, drill, copyrights); show shirts; uniform cleaning; supplies; and operating costs. Please note that there are additional expenses for freshman and new members for required personal uniform requirements, including a secondary uniform performance shirt and warm-up pants, marching shoes, band jacket, gloves, or Color Guard-specific items. Please refer to the Personal Uniform Costs worksheets included in the paperwork packet for full details.
I would like to chaperone Band Camp and volunteer during the season. How do I apply?
Thank you! We are always looking for parent volunteers to help during Band Camp and the Marching Band season! Please contact Mrs. Stark to request a volunteer form or click on the button above. The form is relayed to the Administration Office, where they conduct a background check to clear you to volunteer. One form, renewed yearly, allows a parent to volunteer across the Gull Lake Community Schools district. Mrs. Peters will form a Band Camp chaperone team and the seasonal volunteer team from the list of approved adults. We will publish a SignUpGenius to sign up for Band Camp shifts and send out more chaperone information closer to the start of Camp.
Volunteer opportunities are not limited to Camp week! We need help with building props, driving the trailers, in the uniform room, feeding the students on camp and competition days, moving equipment on the field, following the band during parades, photography, and many other jobs. Please let us know how you would like to help! We will happily find you a job!
Who can I contact if I have questions?
We are here to help! Please send an email to:
- Mrs. Peters, the Director of Bands, [email protected]
- Mrs. Stark, Music Department Administrative Aide, [email protected]
Have you heard about our BAND messaging system?
We have a messaging system for parents and students, named BAND. It's a free service where we post information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, updates to the schedule, and other important information. It's essential during the fall Marching Band season and during concert season for Festival, the Memorial Day parade, and Commencement. We can send out immediate updates to our itinerary that you receive right to your phone. Parents and students may ask and answer questions within their own parent and student groups.
If you're not already signed up, please email Mrs. Stark for an invite code -- [email protected]
It's fast, it's free and it's full of information!
Looking for the SignUpGenius for volunteer opportunities?
Adult volunteers with a current GLCS Request for Authorization to Volunteer form on file may sign up for volunteer slots for the 2024 Marching Band season. Please take a look at our current requests for volunteers and donations by clicking the SignUpGenius button below.
The GLBPA Fall Concession Stand SignUpGenius will be published soon as a separate form.
Please check back often, as additional volunteer opportunities are added throughout the year!
We have a messaging system for parents and students, named BAND. It's a free service where we post information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, updates to the schedule, and other important information. It's essential during the fall Marching Band season and during concert season for Festival, the Memorial Day parade, and Commencement. We can send out immediate updates to our itinerary that you receive right to your phone. Parents and students may ask and answer questions within their own parent and student groups.
If you're not already signed up, please email Mrs. Stark for an invite code -- [email protected]
It's fast, it's free and it's full of information!
Looking for the SignUpGenius for volunteer opportunities?
Adult volunteers with a current GLCS Request for Authorization to Volunteer form on file may sign up for volunteer slots for the 2024 Marching Band season. Please take a look at our current requests for volunteers and donations by clicking the SignUpGenius button below.
The GLBPA Fall Concession Stand SignUpGenius will be published soon as a separate form.
Please check back often, as additional volunteer opportunities are added throughout the year!
The Gull Lake High School Bands Program
The Gull Lake High School Bands program exemplifies our motto "With Pride!"
GLHS offers students the opportunity to participate in multiple instrumental groups:
- the competitive Blue Devil Marching Band
- the Concert Band
- the placement by audition-only Symphonic Band
- the just-for-fun Pep Band during basketball season
Gull Lake High School Band students are a vital and visible part of our community. Throughout the school year, students perform and entertain the crowds at home varsity football and basketball games, pep assemblies, local parades and concerts. They compete against other Michigan marching bands in MCBA contests, and consistently achieve superior ratings in the fall MSBOA Marching Festival and spring Band and Orchestra Festivals. Many students perform outside of school at events such as District XI and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals and with community groups such as the Kalamazoo Music School Jazz & Creative Institute, the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra, and the WMU Spring Conference All-Star band.
We invite you to attend a concert - cheer us on at a competition - get involved with the GLBPA - and sit back and enjoy the music. The Gull Lake High School Bands program exemplifies our motto "With Pride!"
Click on one of the drop-down tabs above for more information about any of our High School bands.
With Pride!