Band geeks, flag nerds or saber geek.

You probably heard these terms if you marched in your high school band.

In a place where social hierarchy rules, high school band members are often stereotyped as nerdy know-it-alls who always have a musical instrument by their side. But take a closer look and you will also see popular athletes, honors students, as well as talented musicians.

Oxnard High School marching band members say the group not only blasts those nerdy stereotypes, but also provides a tight-knit community where like-minded music lovers explore their talents and share their outside interests.

"We have our own little family here," said Ashlei Latag, a junior who plays the flute. "If I wasn't in band, I wouldn't be as connected to the school. People think band is a nerdy, geeky thing, but actually it's nothing like that at all. We're really diverse."

More friendships were made over the summer as incoming freshmen and returning band mates participated in two- to three-week band camps organized in high schools all over the county.

Oxnard High's marching Yellow Jackets were in full band camp swing recently when they practiced for their performances at the Santa Barbara Fiesta Parade and the Ventura County Fair.

The camp, which ends today, introduced freshmen to the band and renewed friendships for returning students.

Newcomers donned paper bags with their names on their heads, which is the friendly initiation into the "family," Oxnard High School marching band director Fundi Legohn said.

"That means you are working to be a part of the band, but it's really checking out your character," Legohn said with a grin. "We have a lot of fun, but band is not an easy task. We work out as much, if not more, than the sports teams. It's a big effort to play a show for 11 minutes straight playing, moving, marching, breathing. They have to be in shape to do that and carry it out."

To make sure, Legohn has the students stretch out and run laps. And then there are plenty of push-ups, especially if a student is late for practice.

"We have a little saying here," Legohn said. "To be early is to be on time ... to be on time is to be late ... to be late is to be dead."

Tuba player Kevin Brendall, now a junior, said he has stayed in the Oxnard band since his freshman year because of the friendships he has made.

"We work hard together, which forms a great bond," Brendall, 16, said. "We all have strengths and weaknesses."

Tenor saxophone player Jessica Molina, a senior, said Legohn has had a lasting impact on her and many of the students.

"He's basically like our dad," she said.

It takes teamwork

Marching band is literally a family affair for Thousand Oaks High School senior and tenor drum player Joe Martone, whose father, Anthony Martone, is the school's band director.

"I've grown up around marching bands all my life, and it always seemed like something fun to do," Joe Martone said. "But you also have to keep up your grades and my dad always comes up with a new show with more difficult drills, moves and music. But it's fun when it's harder. We want people to know that what we do is pretty hard."

Like any family, it takes teamwork to keep band programs running smoothly and within budget.

Moorpark High's music programs, which include the marching band, three concert bands and three jazz bands, has an operating budget of $130,000. Students in the marching band are asked to donate about $400 in fees and incidentals, band director Robert Hackett said.

They also raise funds for trips, sometimes overseas, to learn about different cultures and often to play for audiences. Then there are the costs of traveling and entering competitions.

'Parents do everything'

At Moorpark High, students, parents and the school district pitch in to cover band costs. Last year, the marching band booster program raised about $90,000 through various fundraisers, from selling lemonade to organizing a golf tournament, Hackett said.

Marching band members will go through their own camp Monday through Aug. 24.

"The parents do everything, from tailoring the kids' uniforms to feeding the kids on road trips," Hackett said. "We are fortunate that Moorpark is overall a financially well-to-do community, but there are scholarships for students who need help to make payments."

At Oxnard High, the band and the booster program are working on several fundraisers. Their goal is to purchase a truck or a trailer to haul band equipment.

"Music is a communicative art and it helps kids to express themselves verbally and to express themselves musically," said Legohn. "It does so much in building a strong foundation for the youth."