Georgia high school marching band displays racial slur on instruments during halftime show

Band members usually use their instrument covers to spell out the word 'Bronco'

The marching band at a Georgia high school has come under fire for displaying a racial slur on their instruments during a half time show.

The marching band at Brockwood High School in Gwinnet County usually use covers on the horn of their sousaphones to spell out “Bronco”, representing the school’s mascot.

However, on senior night at the public high school, the "B" and "R" were absent. The rest of the letters were arranged to spell out a racial slur, displayed to everyone watching the game, Fox 5 Atlanta reports.

In response, the school’s principal sent out an email to parents on Saturday night, saying the display violated rules. The principle also said that the band director had stepped off the field for personal reasons during a particularly busy senior night, the students involved would face disciplinary action, and that the school will now review halftime procedures before they hit the field.

When in the stands, some marching bands will put decorative covers on the horns of their instruments. However, they typically do not use these covers on the field, as they can muffle sound. A marching band will move around the field in different formations, which is another reason why they don’t typically use horn covers with letters on them while on a football field, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

It is not clear whether this incident was part of a senior prank, but parents told Fox 5 Atlanta that they did not know or care either way; it was hurtful and derogatory. They want the students responsible expelled.