Battery – Marching Band percussion section that carries drums and marches. Comprised of snare drums, bass drums, and quads (see Quads). Must audition.
Cadence – The beat played by percussion during a parade to indicate the marching pace. Also played as the band marches off of the field after a show, rehearsal, or competition.
Caption awards – Awards marching bands win at competitions. Can include: Best drum majors, best percussion, best auxiliary, best music, best marching, best general effect, best visual effect, best pit crew, etc.
Dot sheet – Sheet that gives your individual field positions. You will be given this in band camp and taught how to interpret it.
Drill – The steps and positions that make up the marching band show (see Sets).
Drill chart – Charts out the position of the entire band in different sets of the music.
Drum major(s) – Student conductor(s) who direct the marching band as it plays. Must audition.
Drumline – The entire percussion section (battery and PIT).
Flags – Flags/silks used by the Guard during a Marching Band show.
Front Ensemble – Consists of keyboard instruments and auxilliary percussion. Also known as PIT (see PIT).
Gauntlets – Wrist and lower arm covering that is part of the Marching Band/Guard uniform.
Guard (Color Guard) – Students who add color and style to Marching Band performances with flags/props. Also known as Auxiliary, the term originally used for the flag/rifle carriers who stood at the front of a marching show. It evolved into modern Color Guard when dance and decorative flags were added.
Movement – Songs a Marching Band plays. Our shows usually have 3 movements designated as Movement 1, Movement 2, and Movement 3.
Percussion Instrument Team (PIT) – Percussion section of a Marching Band that does not march. They are staged at the front of the band during shows and competitions. Comprised of xylophones, electric pianos, gongs, timpani, etc.
PIT Crew – Volunteers who help move, load, assemble, and push the PIT instruments onto the field for games and competitions. Pit crew members wear the same “uniform” shirt which can be purchased here. __________________________
Plumes – The very fragile feathers on the Marching Band uniform hats. Provided by the band.
Podium – Raised platform where the Drum Majors stand. Moved by the PIT Crew.
Quads (Tenors) – Set of 4-6 connected drums played by a member of the Battery. Think of this as a drum set that you carry. Must audition.
Rifles – Imitation rifles carried by the Guard to visually interpret the music.
Run through – Practicing the entire Marching Band show at once.
Sabers – Imitation swords carried by the Guard to visually interpret the music.
Section – Students who play the same instruments, i.e. the trumpet section.
Section leader – Student who is in charge of a Marching Band instrument section such as also sax section leader. Must apply.
Sectional – A practice or rehearsal by only a section of instruments.
Sets – The formations the band makes. Students receive drill charts to provide them a location on the field relative to yard lines, sidelines, etc. This information is then transferred to a dot sheet. This will be taught at band camp.
Shako – Marching Band uniform hat.
Step Off – The precise moment when a Marching Band parade performance starts.
Student account – Financial account that holds a students fundraising monies. Money can come from fundraising, family donations, or payments.
Winds – The non-percussion part of the band; any instrument that is played by blowing air; includes both brass and woodwinds.
warhillband.com 