Every summer, the marching band has its “Hell” weeks. During those two weeks, many of the sections discuss and choose designs for their shirts or hoodies. Their shirts are made to commemorate that year in marching band. The students come up with clever phrases, pictures, or designs to put on the shirts, and it’s all in good fun. This summer had been no different, since the sections made, paid for, and distributed the shirts and hoodies.

In October, a mother (not one of a band student) took offense to the low brass, flute, and saxophone shirts. Each section had a phrase that could be taken as inappropriate, not to the point of disrupting other students, but still not school appropriate. The mother reported the quotes on the shirts to the superintendent, who then forwarded the message to Mr. Carroll, the band director. The students of these three sections, as well as the rest of the band, were informed they would no longer be allowed to wear the shirts and hoodies to school or any school related functions. The students did not like the idea of this new rule, especially since they had paid for them themselves. Though the shirts did contain innuendos, they hadn’t been explicit. They were simply a play on words to go along with the instruments, or band in general.

In addition to not being able to wear the garments to school, other rules were put into place. The designs for the upcoming years must be approved by the director and must be school appropriate. Many of the other sections already followed this rule this year and in years past. It was coincidence that three sections had innuendos on the shirts, and none of them meant for the shirts to cause this, but when there are people who are offended by the phrases or fear it is misrepresenting the school, action and new rules must be taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again.