DICTIONARY
Here's a 'mini-dictionary' of the words, or lingo, often used by kids in the marching band & color guard during their practices and performances
Band Camp: A 2 week long camp during the last weeks of July. This is where the kids learn the music and the marching maneuvers for the field show. It happens at Arcadia High School. The hours are different depending on when SUSD Summer School ends. In 2018, there were only afternoon sessions which lasted from 3:30pm - 8:30pm.
Batterie: Snare, tenor, and bass drums. This is the part of percussion that marches with the band on the field. Note the traditional French spelling.
Breathing block: An exercise that the band uses to increase their tolerance for breath support during the show (essentially jogging double time to a tempo while controlling your breathing.)
Chips: Little plastic squares that mark your set on the field (see 'set' below).
Color Guard: The group of non-instrument playing band members. This important group gives the great visual elements to the field show with the use of colorful flags, props, sabers and rifles.
Drum Majors: One or more veteran band member who conduct the band performance during the field show.
Drumline: The percussion section of the band consisting of the Battery and the Pit.
Field Show: The final product of the marching band's hard work. The show is performed on a football field. The band competes with other marching bands for top placement, trophies, etc.
The Pit: Percussion consisting of xylophones, tympanis, marimbas, bells, and auxiliary cart. This part of percussion performs at the front of the field during the field show.
Rookies: A first year student in the marching band or colorguard.
Section Leader: The leader of a particular section of instruments in the band. This person also arranges and leads sectional practices.
Set: Your position on the field during a certain point in the show.
Techs: People that assist different sections of the band in mastering the show.
Veterans: Students who've been in the band or colorguard for at least 1 year.
There are also the Basic marching steps, "flanks and slides", "eights and eights"; this list could go on and on. Ask your teen about some of these terms!
Batterie: Snare, tenor, and bass drums. This is the part of percussion that marches with the band on the field. Note the traditional French spelling.
Breathing block: An exercise that the band uses to increase their tolerance for breath support during the show (essentially jogging double time to a tempo while controlling your breathing.)
Chips: Little plastic squares that mark your set on the field (see 'set' below).
Color Guard: The group of non-instrument playing band members. This important group gives the great visual elements to the field show with the use of colorful flags, props, sabers and rifles.
Drum Majors: One or more veteran band member who conduct the band performance during the field show.
Drumline: The percussion section of the band consisting of the Battery and the Pit.
Field Show: The final product of the marching band's hard work. The show is performed on a football field. The band competes with other marching bands for top placement, trophies, etc.
The Pit: Percussion consisting of xylophones, tympanis, marimbas, bells, and auxiliary cart. This part of percussion performs at the front of the field during the field show.
Rookies: A first year student in the marching band or colorguard.
Section Leader: The leader of a particular section of instruments in the band. This person also arranges and leads sectional practices.
Set: Your position on the field during a certain point in the show.
Techs: People that assist different sections of the band in mastering the show.
Veterans: Students who've been in the band or colorguard for at least 1 year.
There are also the Basic marching steps, "flanks and slides", "eights and eights"; this list could go on and on. Ask your teen about some of these terms!
