Just like a sports team with a fixed number of players in a game, the marching drills are designed with a fixed instrumentation and number of spots on the field. These spots are called Varsity spots. Westwood is unique in that it ‘trains’ additional students to march parts of the show that may not be fully ready for varsity yet. These spots are called Junior Varsity. If a spot opens up in the show due to injury or academic ineligibility, the Varsity spots can easily be filled by Junior Varsity members who have been working on the music and drill all season. Auditions for the Varsity spots are held in late July and are based on marching and playing tests and ‘pass offs.’
All students are part of every marching competition. JV students are traditionally given non-playing & marching roles to enhance the marching show for competitions only. This is a great opportunity for the JV and Varsity together to learn about marching and see what other schools are doing. Junior Varsity students are often needed to help with sideline crew, pit crew, and to perform with props and electronic equipment. All students perform during the halftime shows at football games and in the stands.