About

The Jay County Band and Guard was established in 1975 with the consolidation of Bryant, Dunkirk, Pennville, Redkey, and Portland High Schools. Mr. David Humbert led the band through the 2004-2005 school year.

In 2005, Mr. Kelly Smeltzer was chosen as the new director of the Patriot Band. Throughout the many years of the band and guard programs, the band has competed and performed in many states east of the Mississippi!

The band performs at many local parades, football and basketball games, concerts, and other community events. Over 1,700 band alumni are proud to have been a part of this great Jay County tradition!


Mr. Humbert and Mr. Smeltzer at the 2016 State Fair Band Day Awards Ceremony.

Our Ensembles

Concert Band

Concert Band is a year round class and is comprised of 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. The Concert Band focuses on refining instrument playing skills and performing quality music literature of a medium difficulty level. This large performing ensemble is open to all instrumentalists.

Students perform a wide variety of music during the year, performing several concerts. Students develop the ability to understand and convey the composer’s intent in order to connect the performer with the audience. Students are required to participate in performance opportunities, outside of the school day, that support and extend learning in the classroom. Away/overnight trips are possible. All costs may be defrayed through fundraising opportunities.

Marching Band

The Jay County Marching Patriots compete each year in the Indiana Track Show Competitions which run in July and August. Since 1989, the band has frequently placed in the top 3 bands in state competition.


1992 Indiana State Fair Champions


2001 Indiana State Fair Champions


2015 uniform design

Pep Band

The Jay County High School Pep Band is a co-curricular group that is made up of traditional instruments and percussion. The Pep Band plays for many home boys and girls basketball games as well as home football games.

Solo/Ensemble

The annual Solo and Ensemble contest is sponsored each year by The Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA). Student musicians can perform as individuals or in small groups. They receive awards and written comments regarding their performance. Participation in the Solo and Ensemble competitions is not required, but the band directors highly recommend taking part.

Winter Guard

Winter Percussion

Once marching band season ends, percussionists have the opportunity to participate in our Winter Percussion program. The Winter Percussion ensemble meets from late October to late March and learns a competitive percussion piece to compete against other schools in Indiana.

Winter Percussion is a critical component of student musician training, and it provides an opportunity for percussion members to perform in a manner that highlights their instruments. During the Winter Percussion season, students perform a show between 4 to 6 minutes in length that is performed at competitions across Indiana.

Meet the Band Staff

2019 Summer Band Staff

• Mr. Charles Roesch, Director
• Mrs. Jennifer Crum, Assistant Director
• Mrs. Emilie Garringer, Miss Sarah Ullom, Color Guard
• Mr. Mitch Snyder, Percussion

Mitch Snyder joined the Patriots in 2011. His responsibilities include directing the percussion ensembles for marching band and winter drum line.

• Mr. Jason "Secretary" Hart, Mr. Mark "Melonhead" Garringer, Tech Support