Marching Band
Passaic County Technical-Vocational Schools (PCTVS) offers all students the opportunity to participate in the Marching Band. Any student who plays an instrument is eligible to join. The Marching Band is an extracurricular program based at Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI), with all rehearsals held after school.
Season Overview
The Marching Band season runs primarily during the months of September and October. To prepare for the fall season, students attend two summer camps: a Mini-Camp in July and a Full Band Camp in August. All summer rehearsals are held on the PCTI campus.
Performances
The PCTI Marching Band is actively involved both within the school and throughout the local community. Performances include all home and away varsity football games, pep rallies, spirit events, local parades, and Marching Band competitions.
Below is a list of performances from the 2024–2025 school year:
- All home and away varsity football games
- South Plainfield HS Marching Band Competition – September 2024
- Jefferson Township HS Marching Band Competition – September 2024
- West Morris Central HS Marching Band Competition – September 2024
- Ludwig-Musser Classic at MetLife Stadium Marching Band Competition – October 2024
- NJMEA State Marching Band Ratings Festival – October 2024
- TOB NJ State Championships – October 2024
- Veterans Day Parade – Clifton – November 2024
- Preakness Healthcare Center Memorial Day Parade – Wayne – May 2025
- Wayne Memorial Day Parade – May 2025
Rehearsals
Marching Band rehearsals are held after school and during the summer as part of the preparation for the performance season. Typical rehearsal schedules include:
- July Mini-Camp: 6-day camp, held Tuesday through Thursday over two weeks, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- August Band Camp: 10-day camp, held Monday through Friday over two weeks, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- School-Year Rehearsals: Mondays and Wednesdays in September and October, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Summer Band Camp Information
To ensure students are fully prepared for the fall season, two summer camps are held on the PCTI campus:
- July Mini-Camp (two weeks)
- August Band Camp (two weeks)
Transportation
Bus transportation is available for students residing in Clifton, Passaic, and Paterson for all rehearsals and performances. Pick-up times begin one hour prior to the scheduled start time. Locations are as follows:
- Passaic – Passaic City Hall
- Clifton – Corner of Main Avenue & Piaget Avenue (near White Castle)
- Paterson – Paterson City Hall
Attire
Students are not required to wear their PCTI uniforms during band camp. Recommended attire includes:
- Shorts
- T-shirt
- Sneakers
Lunch and Hydration
Lunch is provided for all summer band practices. However, students are welcome to bring their own meals if they prefer. Water is provided for all outdoor rehearsals, but students are also encouraged to bring their own water jugs.
Required Equipment
Students must bring their instruments to every band camp session. In addition, the following items are required:
- 1-inch three-ring binder with plastic sheet protectors (for music)
- Pencil
- Sunscreen
- Water Jug