MARCHING BAND TERMINOLOGY

As a new parent or student, you will hear terms that might not make sense without proper context. Below are explanations of what you will probably read or hear about. 

    • 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A: The class (size of the band) – 1A bands are the smallest while 6A are the largest. Size is determined by the number of musicians and size of the school. 
    • 4S’s:   The Band Shirt, Shorts, Socks, and Shoes. They are used as an informal uniform and are worn under the Marching Band Uniform.  They can be purchased from the Logo store at the end of the school year prior to marching season.  Notification of this will be sent out via email. 
    • Band Leadership: The student executive committee 
    • Battery (Percussion):  Members of the battery consists of the kids who actually march with various types of drums strapped to them. Members of the battery play the snare, tenor/quads, or bass drum.
    • Bibs: The overall-like garment worn under jackets in the marching band uniform.
    • BOA:  BOA stands for Bands of America Competition which is a national organization for high school music students. These competitions are held around the US. There is a preliminary performance and qualifying bands will proceed to finals.    BOA website is www.musicforall.org. 
    • Color Guard: The group of athletes who provide visual interest to the field shows through the use of costumes, flags, dancing, and props.
    • Concert Season: Season after Marching Band during the second half of the school year 
    • Dinkles (Marching Shoes): Special shoes each marcher wears during shows and competitions. ·        Can be purchased at time of registration. 
    • Dot Book: A small notebook or cards that holds each student’s drill for the Marching Band show. 
    • Drum Majors: The students who conduct the marching band.  
    • Drum Line:  This is the percussion section of the marching band.   It is made up of members of the Battery and the Pit.  
    • Equipment Crew:  The Equipment Crew is responsible for maintaining equipment and building props.  They are responsible for transporting all equipment, instruments, uniforms, etc to all Marching Band events.  This includes staging before the band needs to perform, and for loading everything back up after the show.  They meet regularly during Marching Band season as well as attend competitions.  
    • Field Show: The field show is a choreographed, marched musical routine that may include the use of props. The show is performed by both the band and the color guard. It is performed during home football games and during band competitions. 
    • Logo Store:  Online store for purchasing merchandise including our 4S shorts and shirt.  
    • Pit (Percussion): The Pit members play instruments such as mallet keyboards, marimbas, chimes, vibes, and cymbals.  They move and load/unload the pit equipment.   Also called Front Ensemble.   During parades, they march and play cymbals. 
    • Plumes: Plumes are the fluffy feather-like decorative accessories that are stuck onto the band members’ shakos (hats) before they perform. Between appearances they are carefully stored and managed by our uniform coordinator. The plumes are very soft and very susceptible to destruction by water and/or contact with teenagers. Thus they are applied at the last possible moment before performances and removed as quickly as possible after performances.  Feathers cannot be touched due to oil of hands. Gloves are worn when placing in the shako.  
    • Shakos: Shakos are the band member’s hat for their uniforms.
    • Show Shirt: A t-shirt matching the theme of the performance for that season. Great souvenir for the year.  It is optional. 
    • Section: Each group of like instruments is a section. Examples of sections are flutes, trumpets, baritones. 
    • Section Leaders: Student leaders of each section of the band. They are experienced musicians (generally upperclassmen) chosen by directors. They have demonstrated both musical skill on their instrument and leadership within the band. 
    • Zero Hour:  Before school rehearsals during marching band season.  Call times to be advised by directors.