Smith Walbridge Band Products is a leading full‑line supplier of marching band, color guard, concert band, and choir equipment and accessories, proudly serving music educators, performers, universities, and school districts nationwide for over 30 years. We provide dependable, performance‑ready gear for programs of all sizes and proudly accept school purchase orders.

What We Offer

We offer a wide range of products so you can outfit your program from head to toe and from the band room to the field:

• Marching band uniform accessories — shoes, gloves, color guard footwear, rainwear, plumes, shakos/headwear, and more

• Marching band podiums and podium accessories

• Field props, backdrops, and printed visual media for the field

• Printed color guard and marching band uniforms

• Color guard equipment and custom/in‑stock flags

• Concert wear, orchestra, and choral attire

• Wireless PA systems and field sound solutions

Smith Walbridge is an authorized dealer for top marching brands including Director’s Showcase International (DSI), StylePLUS, Corps Design, Jarvis, Drillmasters, Dinkles, Sound Projections, Anchor Audio, Cousin’s Concert Attire, Star Line, and more.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide fast turnaround times with true mom‑and‑pop customer service. By keeping our overhead lean and operating without commissioned sales representatives, you work directly with the people running the company. This allows us to offer competitive pricing, bulk discounts on qualifying items, and a straightforward, no‑pressure purchasing experience for schools and organizations.

Our History

Smith Walbridge has been a cornerstone of the marching arts for three generations, proudly supporting music educators, performers, and enthusiasts across the nation.

Our journey began in 1949 when Merl and Margaret Smith founded the first Smith Walbridge marching arts camp in Syracuse, Indiana. What began as a vision to elevate training and leadership quickly became a gold standard for drum majors, color guard, and baton twirlers nationwide.

In 1976, their son Gary Smith — then Director of the University of Illinois Marching Illini — continued the family’s spirit of innovation by launching G & S Products. From developing the first Velcro spats to expanding marching retail, Gary’s passion fueled steady growth, and in partnership with his brother‑in‑law Tom Herald he helped build what became Director’s Showcase, a respected name in marching supplies.

In 1987, Gary assumed leadership of Smith Walbridge Camp, transforming it into Smith Walbridge Clinics — a premier training experience for marching excellence. Under his leadership and later Barry Houser’s direction, the clinics became a trusted resource for students and directors across the country.

In 1997, Gary founded Smith Walbridge Band Products, extending the family’s commitment to equipping programs with high‑quality gear and expert support. In 2008, his son Sean Smith — a University of Illinois Marching Illini alumnus — stepped in to lead the company forward, and alongside his wife, Mercedes, Sean has expanded Smith Walbridge Band Products nationwide while preserving the personalized service that defines the company’s heritage.

For over 75 years, the Smith Walbridge name has been associated with marching arts excellence. Whether you need trusted equipment, knowledgeable support, or reliable service for your program, we are here to help you perform at your very best — just as we have since 1949.