Marching Band Verbiage
Auxiliary – see Guard.
Auxiliary – see Guard.
Band camp – a week of intense daily Marching Band practice; Monday-Friday. SEND WATER w/ your students, and try to get them to slather on the sun screen.
Band camp – a week of intense daily Marching Band practice; Monday-Friday. SEND WATER w/ your students, and try to get them to slather on the sun screen.
Battery – Marching Band percussion section that carries drums and marches; is composed of snare drums, bass drums, and quads (see Quads).
Battery – Marching Band percussion section that carries drums and marches; is composed of snare drums, bass drums, and quads (see Quads).
Bibbers – Marching Band pants; part of the standard uniform; provided by the band.
Bibbers – Marching Band pants; part of the standard uniform; provided by the band.
Caption awards – various awards a marching band can win at competitions, such as “Best Visual” and “Best Music.”
Caption awards – various awards a marching band can win at competitions, such as “Best Visual” and “Best Music.”
Chaperones – the wonderful parents who are willing to ride on a school bus all day with 75+ high school kids; a lot of fun – a good way to meet other parents, be indirectly involved in your kid’s life, and watch the work, determination and heart of the Marching Band.
Chaperones – the wonderful parents who are willing to ride on a school bus all day with 75+ high school kids; a lot of fun – a good way to meet other parents, be indirectly involved in your kid’s life, and watch the work, determination and heart of the Marching Band.
Color guard – see Guard.
Color guard – see Guard.
Drill – the steps and positions that make up the Marching Band show.
Drill – the steps and positions that make up the Marching Band show.
Drill book – the notebook or cards that holds each individual student’s drill for the Marching Band show.
Drill book – the notebook or cards that holds each individual student’s drill for the Marching Band show.
Drum major(s) – Student conductor(s) who direct the marching band as it plays.
Drum major(s) – Student conductor(s) who direct the marching band as it plays.
Drumline – the entire percussion section of the Marching Band; includes both the Pit and the Battery.
Drumline – the entire percussion section of the Marching Band; includes both the Pit and the Battery.
Flags – flags used by the Guard during a Marching Band show.
Flags – flags used by the Guard during a Marching Band show.
Gauntlets – wrist and lower-arm covering; part of Marching Band uniform.
Gauntlets – wrist and lower-arm covering; part of Marching Band uniform.
Guard – a group of students who add color and style to marching-band performances with flags and other props.
Guard – a group of students who add color and style to marching-band performances with flags and other props.
Pep Band – band that plays for the basketball games; members vary.
Pep Band – band that plays for the basketball games; members vary.
Pit crew – parents and volunteers who help assemble the pit instruments, push them onto the field and set them up for competition, A.K.A. “Pit Parents.”
Pit crew – parents and volunteers who help assemble the pit instruments, push them onto the field and set them up for competition, A.K.A. “Pit Parents.”
Pit – Marching Band percussion section that does not march (plays on the sidelines), composed of instruments such as tympani, xylophones, gongs, etc.
Pit – Marching Band percussion section that does not march (plays on the sidelines), composed of instruments such as tympani, xylophones, gongs, etc.
Plumes – the feathered portion of the Marching Band hats (very fragile); provided by band. Parent volunteers are needed to help put on and take off plumes during competitions and football games. If you’re around and can help step right on up, grab a pair of gloves and start “pluming” or “de-pluming”.
Plumes – the feathered portion of the Marching Band hats (very fragile); provided by band. Parent volunteers are needed to help put on and take off plumes during competitions and football games. If you’re around and can help step right on up, grab a pair of gloves and start “pluming” or “de-pluming”.
Quads – set of 4 connected drums carried by members of the battery.
Quads – set of 4 connected drums carried by members of the battery.
Rifles – fake rifles the Guard use in a Marching Band show. (They’re heavy!)
Rifles – fake rifles the Guard use in a Marching Band show. (They’re heavy!)
Run-through – practicing the Marching Band show.
Run-through – practicing the Marching Band show.
Sabers – fake swords the Guard using in a Marching Band show.
Sabers – fake swords the Guard using in a Marching Band show.
Section leader – band student who is in charge of a Marching Band instrument section; such as “alto sax section leader.”
Section leader – band student who is in charge of a Marching Band instrument section; such as “alto sax section leader.”
Shako – Marching Band hat
Shako – Marching Band hat
Uniforming – getting dressed before a competition and football games.
Uniforming – getting dressed before a competition and football games.
Winds – the non-percussion part of the band; any instrument that is played by blowing air.
Winds – the non-percussion part of the band; any instrument that is played by blowing air.
Bagging uniforms: What students must do with their uniforms when they take them off after performances. Each student is assigned a specific bag and uniform with his/her name on them. Uniforms must be hung up correctly and promptly so they are ready for wearing in the next competition. Lessons in folding and hanging pants are given regularly.
Bagging uniforms: What students must do with their uniforms when they take them off after performances. Each student is assigned a specific bag and uniform with his/her name on them. Uniforms must be hung up correctly and promptly so they are ready for wearing in the next competition. Lessons in folding and hanging pants are given regularly.
Band lockers/Cubbies: Assigned spaces in the band room where students can keep their instruments if they are not taking them home. Also used for storage of books, homework, lunch containers and pretty much everything else. If your child is missing something, the first question to ask is: “Have you checked your band locker.” This is especially important if the thing they are missing is perishable. Cubbies are in the uniform room where students can store their shoes, gloves, and other essentials.
Band lockers/Cubbies: Assigned spaces in the band room where students can keep their instruments if they are not taking them home. Also used for storage of books, homework, lunch containers and pretty much everything else. If your child is missing something, the first question to ask is: “Have you checked your band locker.” This is especially important if the thing they are missing is perishable. Cubbies are in the uniform room where students can store their shoes, gloves, and other essentials.
Black socks: Crew length A key part of the uniform and one that is very likely to go missing at crucial times – i.e., before a competition. It’s essential that students do not have white socks or ankles showing between their black pants and black shoes. While there has been the occasional student effort to draw socks on with Sharpies, this has not been a particularly effective strategy. Your best bet is to buy lots of black socks and prepare for all of them to disappear during the course of the marching season (only to reappear, reeking, when band lockers are eventually cleaned out). Marchers will be given one pair and may purchase more through the Boosters.
Black socks: Crew length A key part of the uniform and one that is very likely to go missing at crucial times – i.e., before a competition. It’s essential that students do not have white socks or ankles showing between their black pants and black shoes. While there has been the occasional student effort to draw socks on with Sharpies, this has not been a particularly effective strategy. Your best bet is to buy lots of black socks and prepare for all of them to disappear during the course of the marching season (only to reappear, reeking, when band lockers are eventually cleaned out). Marchers will be given one pair and may purchase more through the Boosters.
Color Guard: The group of tireless athletes who provide visual interest to the show through the use of costumes, flags, dancing, and props.
Color Guard: The group of tireless athletes who provide visual interest to the show through the use of costumes, flags, dancing, and props.
Competitions: Saturday events involving a number of marching bands performing and competing in a particular high school’s stadium. Bands generally compete against other bands in their “class” – a distinction which is made based on the number of band members. Parents and family members can go and watch the performances. You’ll see bands ranging in size from a few dozen to more than 200. And performance themes that encompass everything imaginable – from the Muppets, to Star Wars, to Aaron Copeland. See Stadium Seats.
Competitions: Saturday events involving a number of marching bands performing and competing in a particular high school’s stadium. Bands generally compete against other bands in their “class” – a distinction which is made based on the number of band members. Parents and family members can go and watch the performances. You’ll see bands ranging in size from a few dozen to more than 200. And performance themes that encompass everything imaginable – from the Muppets, to Star Wars, to Aaron Copeland. See Stadium Seats.
Drill: Is the actual choreography of the show. It involves development of the patterns in which the band will march while playing the show music. The drill is written with each band member represented by a specific dot. If a band member is not available for a show, it creates a hole where the dot is and affects the visual aspect of the performance. Each dot is essential to each performance!
Drill: Is the actual choreography of the show. It involves development of the patterns in which the band will march while playing the show music. The drill is written with each band member represented by a specific dot. If a band member is not available for a show, it creates a hole where the dot is and affects the visual aspect of the performance. Each dot is essential to each performance!
Drillmasters: Required footwear for all marchers. The black soft-soled marching shoes that your child will wear for performances. Designed to facilitate marching footwork.
Drillmasters: Required footwear for all marchers. The black soft-soled marching shoes that your child will wear for performances. Designed to facilitate marching footwork.
Dot books: (See Drill for description of dots.) A book that your child will be carrying at all times during band camp and bring to rehearsals after that. Each child’s book is unique and is marked (by the child) with the positions he/she is supposed to be in at each relevant point in the show. An example of a dot description would be “Two steps to the right of the 50-yard line and three steps behind the flute player in front of me.”
Dot books: (See Drill for description of dots.) A book that your child will be carrying at all times during band camp and bring to rehearsals after that. Each child’s book is unique and is marked (by the child) with the positions he/she is supposed to be in at each relevant point in the show. An example of a dot description would be “Two steps to the right of the 50-yard line and three steps behind the flute player in front of me.”
Percussion: It has two components. The battery consists of the kids who actually march, with various types of drums strapped to them. The Front line is set up on the sidelines and its members do not march, but rather play non-marching instruments such as Marimbas, Chimes, and Vibes. While front line members do not get the physical exertion of marching, that is compensated for by the continual need to move/load/unload heavy pit equipment. (See Pit Crew)
Percussion: It has two components. The battery consists of the kids who actually march, with various types of drums strapped to them. The Front line is set up on the sidelines and its members do not march, but rather play non-marching instruments such as Marimbas, Chimes, and Vibes. While front line members do not get the physical exertion of marching, that is compensated for by the continual need to move/load/unload heavy pit equipment. (See Pit Crew)
Fair Share: The money each student is asked to raise or pay to offset band operating costs. The 2021 Fair Share Fee is $80.
Fair Share: The money each student is asked to raise or pay to offset band operating costs. The 2021 Fair Share Fee is $80.
Football Fridays: Specific Fridays on which the Jaguar team has a home football game that, from our perspective, conveniently fit in around the band’s halftime performance. All or part of the show is performed either at halftime or sometimes after the game. During games students sit together and play “bleacher music” to give their parents, seated elsewhere, something to listen to while watching the football activities.
Football Fridays: Specific Fridays on which the Jaguar team has a home football game that, from our perspective, conveniently fit in around the band’s halftime performance. All or part of the show is performed either at halftime or sometimes after the game. During games students sit together and play “bleacher music” to give their parents, seated elsewhere, something to listen to while watching the football activities.
High Brass: A band section consisting of the trumpets and the mellophones (marching French Horns).
High Brass: A band section consisting of the trumpets and the mellophones (marching French Horns).
Leadership: The students responsible for all (Drum Majors) or parts (Section Leaders) of the band. The role of all the parent volunteers is to support the band leadership and make them successful by handling the logistics while they handle the music.
Leadership: The students responsible for all (Drum Majors) or parts (Section Leaders) of the band. The role of all the parent volunteers is to support the band leadership and make them successful by handling the logistics while they handle the music.
Pit/Line Crew: This is a group of dedicated parents (See Volunteer Opportunities) who load the front line equipment onto a large truck and later onto the field just before performances, set up for the musicians, then removed afterwards. These parents end up with skills that could allow them to mobilize an entire army on a moment’s notice. Also, like Unloading the Truck, this is an activity that builds muscle – and camaraderie.
Pit/Line Crew: This is a group of dedicated parents (See Volunteer Opportunities) who load the front line equipment onto a large truck and later onto the field just before performances, set up for the musicians, then removed afterwards. These parents end up with skills that could allow them to mobilize an entire army on a moment’s notice. Also, like Unloading the Truck, this is an activity that builds muscle – and camaraderie.
Low Brass: The section of the band that contains the trombones, the euphoniums and the sousaphones.
Low Brass: The section of the band that contains the trombones, the euphoniums and the sousaphones.
Marching Band Season: An important part of the year that starts in late July and runs through mid-November. It peaks in October, which is when most competitions occur. November usually consists of Championship shows of each marching circuit, AzMBA and ABODA. After championship weekends the band will switch focus to the Winter Concert held in December.
Marching Band Season: An important part of the year that starts in late July and runs through mid-November. It peaks in October, which is when most competitions occur. November usually consists of Championship shows of each marching circuit, AzMBA and ABODA. After championship weekends the band will switch focus to the Winter Concert held in December.
Podium: This is the large folding platform that the drum major stands on to conduct the band. It is stored in the shed. Assemble carefully and make sure all latches are locked before use.
Podium: This is the large folding platform that the drum major stands on to conduct the band. It is stored in the shed. Assemble carefully and make sure all latches are locked before use.
Sections/Sectionals: The band is made up of sections by instrument. The day to day direction for most band activities will come from the section leaders and the kids will frequently warm-up or rehearse with their just section (Sectionals). When a kid is unsure about anything, they should always ask their section leader first.
Sections/Sectionals: The band is made up of sections by instrument. The day to day direction for most band activities will come from the section leaders and the kids will frequently warm-up or rehearse with their just section (Sectionals). When a kid is unsure about anything, they should always ask their section leader first.
Set a movement of the show: If a movement is set, it means that the students have learned the marching moves (See Drill) and the music for that particular movement and are able to march it with few difficulties, other than the occasional missed turn that results in a collision. When the whole show is set, it means the students have learned everything they need to know to perform the entirety of that year’s show.
Set a movement of the show: If a movement is set, it means that the students have learned the marching moves (See Drill) and the music for that particular movement and are able to march it with few difficulties, other than the occasional missed turn that results in a collision. When the whole show is set, it means the students have learned everything they need to know to perform the entirety of that year’s show.
Show: This is the performance piece that the band starts learning at away camp and performs and refines throughout the marching season. Each year’s show has a specific name and a specific theme, with music and choreography chosen to reflect that theme.
Show: This is the performance piece that the band starts learning at away camp and performs and refines throughout the marching season. Each year’s show has a specific name and a specific theme, with music and choreography chosen to reflect that theme.
Show shirt: Each student gets a T-shirt each year with the show name, the year, and related artwork on it. These are worn underneath uniforms to soak up the sweat, to show pride, and to help parents keep track of students after performances. Most parents elect to order extras, since they seem to never be clean when the kid needs them.
Show shirt: Each student gets a T-shirt each year with the show name, the year, and related artwork on it. These are worn underneath uniforms to soak up the sweat, to show pride, and to help parents keep track of students after performances. Most parents elect to order extras, since they seem to never be clean when the kid needs them.
Snacks: What parents will be providing for the snack bin throughout the year. The bin will have a choice between sweet or salty snacks, both of which are always needed. And they are needed in huge quantities. Just for the week of band camp, if you multiply three snacks per day by the number of band members, the snack requirements are staggering. Helpful notes: Things with lots of chocolate don’t work well early in the season when it’s really hot. We do have snacks that contain nuts, if your student has allergies we need to know so we can help them avoid exposure. There is a snack schedule to start the year so we have plenty of snacks through the season. Please feel free to donate snacks whenever possible, it is greatly appreciated.
Snacks: What parents will be providing for the snack bin throughout the year. The bin will have a choice between sweet or salty snacks, both of which are always needed. And they are needed in huge quantities. Just for the week of band camp, if you multiply three snacks per day by the number of band members, the snack requirements are staggering. Helpful notes: Things with lots of chocolate don’t work well early in the season when it’s really hot. We do have snacks that contain nuts, if your student has allergies we need to know so we can help them avoid exposure. There is a snack schedule to start the year so we have plenty of snacks through the season. Please feel free to donate snacks whenever possible, it is greatly appreciated.
Snacking the band: An essential (and frequent) activity that allows the band to keep working throughout the afternoon/day. Students are given a choice of snack (See Snack Bin) and are allowed to sit and rest for a few moments while eating it. Often Gatorade is available as well. Snacking the band is only possible if parents provide the snacks on a regular basis. Snacks are stored in a room at the school until they are needed, so they don’t always need to be brought in at specific times.
Snacking the band: An essential (and frequent) activity that allows the band to keep working throughout the afternoon/day. Students are given a choice of snack (See Snack Bin) and are allowed to sit and rest for a few moments while eating it. Often Gatorade is available as well. Snacking the band is only possible if parents provide the snacks on a regular basis. Snacks are stored in a room at the school until they are needed, so they don’t always need to be brought in at specific times.
Stadium Seats: Folding seats (with backs) that can be purchased at a sporting goods store and then brought to games or competitions and attached to the bleachers for parents to sit for long periods of time without needing physical help to exit the stands at the end of the event. Highly recommended.
Stadium Seats: Folding seats (with backs) that can be purchased at a sporting goods store and then brought to games or competitions and attached to the bleachers for parents to sit for long periods of time without needing physical help to exit the stands at the end of the event. Highly recommended.
Sunscreen/Bug spray: Substances that students will try to avoid but which parent volunteers remind them to apply, as they make practices (and the days after practices) much less painful. We will ask parents to donate these during the season as needed.
Sunscreen/Bug spray: Substances that students will try to avoid but which parent volunteers remind them to apply, as they make practices (and the days after practices) much less painful. We will ask parents to donate these during the season as needed.
Unloading the Truck: This must be done when the band returns from competitions and parades. All instruments, uniforms and other band gear must be taken off the truck that is driven to events. No student is to go home until the truck is unloaded and all equipment is returned to its proper place. They will be dismissed by their section leader or the drum major. This task can be expedited by having parents help. And at midnight on a Saturday, we all have an incentive to expedite.
Unloading the Truck: This must be done when the band returns from competitions and parades. All instruments, uniforms and other band gear must be taken off the truck that is driven to events. No student is to go home until the truck is unloaded and all equipment is returned to its proper place. They will be dismissed by their section leader or the drum major. This task can be expedited by having parents help. And at midnight on a Saturday, we all have an incentive to expedite.
Volunteer opportunities: This is your chance to say “I’m with the band.” Countless opportunities exist and come in all different shapes and sizes. Without parent volunteers the band wouldn’t be able to function. You can help out during band camp or competition attendance. You can distribute water and snacks to the kids during afternoon rehearsals. You can help with the end of the season banquet and awards. You can contribute food to special events or for football games. All of these opportunities allow you to see how hard your child works, to get to know other parents, and to make your own friends while also offering an invaluable contribution. There are opportunities that fit all kinds of work schedules.
Volunteer opportunities: This is your chance to say “I’m with the band.” Countless opportunities exist and come in all different shapes and sizes. Without parent volunteers the band wouldn’t be able to function. You can help out during band camp or competition attendance. You can distribute water and snacks to the kids during afternoon rehearsals. You can help with the end of the season banquet and awards. You can contribute food to special events or for football games. All of these opportunities allow you to see how hard your child works, to get to know other parents, and to make your own friends while also offering an invaluable contribution. There are opportunities that fit all kinds of work schedules.
Woodwinds: A band section composed of clarinets, saxophones and flutes – plus the odd piccolo or two.
Woodwinds: A band section composed of clarinets, saxophones and flutes – plus the odd piccolo or two.
Remind Groups: Your source of text communication for all things marching band related. There are groups for the marching band parents and members. Be sure to sign up for both and we apologize in advance for some duplication of messages. You will get lots of texts with vital information in them.
Remind Groups: Your source of text communication for all things marching band related. There are groups for the marching band parents and members. Be sure to sign up for both and we apologize in advance for some duplication of messages. You will get lots of texts with vital information in them.
Weather: Safety is always first and many of the instruments can be damaged if they get too wet. Announcements about weather cancellations of rehearsals, competitions, football (we may not be able to play, even though they continue the game), parades and other events will be made by Remind and/or email. We will move (or stay) indoors and work on music if the weather is not cooperating for long periods.
Weather: Safety is always first and many of the instruments can be damaged if they get too wet. Announcements about weather cancellations of rehearsals, competitions, football (we may not be able to play, even though they continue the game), parades and other events will be made by Remind and/or email. We will move (or stay) indoors and work on music if the weather is not cooperating for long periods.