Band Lingo

ASJO (After School Jazz Orchestra) - You’ll hear “azjoe” like it’s one word

Band Time - On time is late. Being on time in band means you are 15 minutes early. Conversely, when rehearsal ends at 9:00, don’t expect to leave at 9:01 :)

The Barn - Literally a barn that the band uses for storage. It’s located between Bittersweet Elementary school and the stadium

BOA (Bands of America, also known as Music for All or MFA) - A regional competition that includes bands in and around the state of Indiana, as opposed to ISSMA competitions which are for Indiana schools only

Carnival of Bands (COB) - The name of the marching band competition that we host at Penn in late September

CHARMS - An online tool managed by Mr. Northern where the band member database, important documents, and more is stored. Marching Band payments can also be made through CHARMS.

Compression Wear (shirts/shorts/pants) - Garments that are tight-fitting often worn by athletes to improve circulation and performance; for our students, they are used as undergarments so that they can change into and out of uniforms in large mixed-gender groups with modesty

CPA (Center for Performing Arts) - The auditorium located inside Door C where various fine arts performances are held, including band concerts. Not to be confused with the Studio Theater.

Doctor Beat - The metronome the marching band uses to keep the beat; it’s the loud click sound heard during rehearsals

Drive One - A HUGE fundraiser for the band held 2x/yr where people come to Schmucker to test drive a Ford car

Drum Majors - The students that lead and conduct the marching band

Feed the Band - As implied, a group of volunteer parents organize a meal to feed the entire marching band usually around or during a weekend competition and during summer band camp

Fishbowl - The area inside and to the left of Door C with windows and benches

Color Guard - The section of the marching band that carries flags and rifles instead of a musical Instrument

Islands - The small patches of curbed grass in the main/north parking lot where sections congregate before/during/after practice. Each section has its own “island”. This is a good place to deliver snacks

K1, K2, Special K, the 5th wheel - Names given to our semis, trucks, and trailers that haul the band gear to competitions

Mr. Cuddles - The band’s teddy bear. Often seen on Mr. Northern’s bag or on a drum major stand

The Pit (also known as Front Ensemble) - The part of the percussion section that doesn’t march. Not to be confused with the Pit Crew

Pit Crew - The group of parent volunteers that builds, maintains, and moves the props for marching band

PMK - Penn Marching Kingsmen

Polishing Parties - When sections get together to polish their instruments before a competition. For brass members, some sort of silver/brass polishing wipes will be useful

Scrip - An awesome fundraising opportunity where you purchase gift cards and earn a rebate that helps defray the cost of band fees

Shako - The hats that the marching band members wear; they also have a tall feather called a plume

Sign Up Genius - An online tool that the band often uses to coordinate volunteers

Spirit Wear -The band loves spirit wear! General spirit wear will just say something like “Penn Marching Kingsmen” and will be in traditional black and gold colors. Show-specific spirit wear will have the title/logo of the current year show and may be in colors other than black/gold. Section spirit wear will be designed by and unique to individual sections (i.e. guard, trumpets, percussion, etc.)

Studio Theater - Like the CPA, but a smaller auditorium. Also located inside Door C, but on the right hand side

Summer Uniform - Students wear the show T-shirt & khaki shorts (with black socks and marching shoes), rather than wearing the formal marching band uniforms

Tower - The large metal towers at the main/north parking lot and the baseball field where the band directors can have a bird’s eye view of the marching show