Marching Band

Survival Guide

Tips and guidelines to help

a new member of
the Amador Valley Marching Band and Color Guard
 Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................. 1
Band Do’s and Don’ts ................................................. 2
What You Need to Succeed ......................................... 4
Mapping It Out ............................................................ 5
Drink Up and Eat Up .................................................. 6
Decoding the Drum Majors ......................................... 8
The Field is Alive with the Sound of Music ................12
Looking the Part .........................................................15
Colorguard ..................................................................16
Cool and Calm at Competitions..................................18
What Does Band Mean to You? ................................. 20
Age Old Advice .......................................................... 22
Mr. Grantham Favorites ............................................ 24
FAQ ............................................................................ 25
Glossary ..................................................................... 27
Thank you to all the Amador Band members, past and present,
who contributed to this guide.
Your help was greatly appreciated!

Tess Kenny
April, 2014
The first step, the first set, the first show, the first season--all
milestones that make marching band an experience to
remember.

While all new members of band deserve to experience these

adventures on their own, they also deserve a bit of guidance.
Sometimes, a new experience can be daunting. You don’t know
what is going to happen, who you are going to meet, or how
much you will learn. Although everyone jumps into this
program with some level of uncertainty and excitement, you
also take a leap of faith, hoping you will do your best and work
harder than ever. This book will help you take that leap of faith
knowing the ins and outs of band, and what it takes to succeed.
Whether you want to know all about band camp, or the
exhilaration of your first competition, this book will help you
take your first step, know your first set, perform your first
show, and love your first season.

1
 Band Do’s
 Use please and thank you. (This will get you
far not only in band, but in life)
 Be confident--everyone is just as nervous as you are!
 Don't worry about looking dorky at practice; the sunburns
aren't worth it.
 Try your hardest--that is all anyone expects.
 Show up on time and ready to go.
 Have a good attitude!
 Relax and have fun! (If you aren’t having fun, it
isn’t worth it!)
 Try new things (band council, winter
percussion/guard, drum major, honor bands, or wind ensemble);
you get what you give!
 Play loud (especially if you play clarinet!)
 Wear thick-soled sports shoes.
 Always ask questions, even if you think it's a
dumb question. More often than not, someone will have the
same one!
 Always pay attention to staff when they are
giving advice and directions.
 Listen to your section leader.
 Come with a smile!
 Be a good sport!

2
 Band Don’ts
 Do not wear white socks to band practice!
 If you have two instruments, do not use your
concert instrument for marching
band!
 Do not wear shoes without
support! The turf burns right through.
 Don't argue with upperclassmen (even if you
think they're wrong). There's a difference
between suggesting something and questioning their
judgment. Make sure to find the balance.
 Do not wear jeans to band practice.
 Do not lock your knees for a long period of time
while you are standing.
 Don’t walk into your house without shaking
out the turf in your shoes.
 Do not expect your parents to be responsible for
your equipment or schedule. You need to be on top of
things—it is your activity!
 Do not be late. And remember, to be early is to be
on time.

3
 What You Need to Succeed
 Always have a hat, even if you feel like you're too cool for one. It’s good
to have the option.
 People do faint! It is not a myth!
 Bring a towel to cover your instrument on hot days!
 You have probably heard that it gets hot during band
camp. The temperature is regularly over 100o, so be
prepared.
 Even at the smallest chance of rain, bring extra clothes and a rain
jacket.
 Even in the summer, bring layers in case it gets cold. It will get cold
once the sun goes down.
 Sunscreen!
 Always bring a pencil. Better yet, bring a bunch of pencils for those
who forget; you will make many friends!
 Later in the season, bring gloves.
 Sunglasses!
 A band binder with all of your warm-ups and music.
 Chapstick!
 Extra reeds or valve oil.

4
 Mapping it Out
Sometimes you may need some guidance getting around Amador’s campus, so
this map can be your key to being where you need to be at all times.

5
 Drink up

 YOU MUST HAVE WATER.

 GET A WATER COOLER—at least ½ gallon size.

 Do not drink too much water at one time. Space it out so that you
don’t feel sick during practice.

 During the breaks that are given to you, drink water even if you
don’t feel like you need to. Hydration is key!

 Bring iced water--it will melt throughout the day and become a
refreshing drink in the afternoon.

6
 Eat up
 Always eat a healthy meal with a lot of protein before any band
practice. Practice in the sun with an empty stomach could easily
tire you out and make you feel fatigued.
 If you bring snacks, either bring a lot or hide them, because people
will take them from you!
 Try an organized potluck with your friends! They are super fun
and an easy way to get a good mixture of food.
 Breakfast:
 Foods that include a lot of proteins, grains, fruits or
vegetables.
 Lunch:
 You may not want to eat TOO much at lunch or else you will
feel sick.
 You can choose to go off campus to eat lunch, but know that
you have a limited time to rest and take a break.
 Eat things like protein bars or trail mix that will keep you
energized for the rest of the day.
 DO NOT DRINK SODA!
 Dinner:
 The same tips that were mentioned for lunch apply to dinner.
 You typically have a longer break at dinner time, and you can
choose to go home.
 Use this time to eat a good, healthy meal.
 Rest! The evenings are when you get tired, and you need all the
energy you can get.

7
 Decoding the Drum Majors

You are used to sitting down and watching the conductor, but
marching at the same time is a whole new skill. As long as you
take a step each time the drum majors finish moving in a
direction, you can stay on time.
The diagrams on the following pages will give you a preview of
what you will be seeing on the field.

8
9
10
11
The Field is Alive with the Sound of Music

 Do not wait to start learning your music! Sooner is always

better than later—start over the summer, before band camp.
 Always, always, always have your dot book!
 “Your dot book is your life.”
 Always have your dot book filled out and up-to-date.
 Have the page number, number of counts for that set, your
dot, and a copy of your music for that set in your dot book--
STORE IT IN A PLACE WHERE IT WON’T GET
RUINED OR LOST.
 Practice at home! Marking time with your music will really
benefit you.
 Write your sets and step outs in your music. This will not
only help your marching, but your playing, too.
 DO NOT leave memorizing the football game music to the
last minute! These seem easy to memorize but starting
earlier rather than later is highly recommended.
 Playing in front of your section leaders may seem scary at
first, but they just want to help you. Be confident and have
fun.
 You can do your playing tests with a buddy. This makes the
situation less stressful.
 Separate the music into sections. This makes memorizing
easier to accomplish and less overwhelming.

12
Drill tells you where your dot (place on the field) is at all
times. Below is an example of a page of drill showing
everyone’s dots.

13
Marking your music is an important part of marching
band. Below is an example of how your entire music
binder should look.

14
 Looking the Part
A large part of band is not only playing and marching your best, but
looking your best. The band uniforms unify us and make us look like “the
sea of purple” that we really are. Below is an example of what you will be
wearing throughout your time in the band program.

Here are some things you will want to remember

regarding your uniform:
 Keep your hair out of your face and off the back of your neck. (This applies
to girls AND boys!)
 Put the gauntlets together before you give them back to the people collecting
them.
 Be respectful to the band. Do not swear, show any personal displays of
affection, or run while in uniform.
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 A Day in the Life of A Colorguard Member

Tuesday/Thursday:

After school, most people stay and walk to either Safeway or Subway.
Some stay in the band room to hang out or work on homework, and some
go home to prepare for practice. If you stay at school, always remember to
bring your practice bag which should include:

 Water
 Snacks
 Money
 A change of clothes (no jeans!)
 Gym shoes
 Sunscreen
 Gloves

On Tuesdays, practice starts at 5. On Thursdays, practice starts at 6.

Most Saturday practices are from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. with a lunch break.

 Tuesday practices are always with the band, and Mr. Grantham,
the band director, values punctuality, so always be at attendance
block by 4:54 or earlier.
 The colorguard runs a lap with the band, and then heads to the
band room. (If you are late, you have to run an extra lap.)
 They then move to the band room for warm-up, where they
stretch and dance.
 After warm-up, they may work in the band room or move to the
field with the band, depending on the day’s schedule.
 The schedule will always be taped on the whiteboard before
practice.
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  Most days, after stretching and warm-up, the guard either learns or
reviews work before going out to the field to join the band.
 In the beginning of the season, the guard joins the band on the
field to learn drill.
 At the end of the season, they review or clean drill.
 The guard always ends practices with a full run of the show.
 Remember to bring a jacket and pants for the evenings, as it gets
cold.
 On Thursdays, guard practice starts in the band room.
 Saturday practices are like Tuesday practices, except they are much
longer.
 During the lunch break on Saturdays, people bring lunches or walk
to buy lunch.
 Saturdays are usually very sunny--bring lots of sunscreen!

Colorguard may be challenging in the beginning, but it is worth the

experience in the end!

17
 Cool and Calm at
Competitions
 Competitions are not only exhilarating, but
also fun at the same time, so enjoy every
moment and listen to Mr. Grantham when he
says, “Hearts on fire, minds on ice.”
 Just a few tips that will help you get through
the night:
o Wear warm clothes under your uniforms; it
gets cold while you wait to perform and
during awards.
o Rest in the break between the morning
practice and the competition. The rest will
benefit you in the long run!
o For the wind instruments, blow warm air
through your instrument to keep it warmed
up and in tune.
o Take a deep breath before you perform; just
stay calm and be confident in yourself and
your abilities!
 For each competition, Mr. Grantham puts a
detailed itinerary on the calendar, such as the
one on the following page, so make sure to
look at it closely.

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19
 What does band mean to you?

“What does band mean to me? If you boil it down to it down to its core,
band means improvement. I have never thought of myself as a high level
player and yet I found that there is much more than just skill needed to
excel in band.”--Nicole Tsuno, Trumpet

“To me, band is where all my friends
are. It's how I met all my closest
friends. Whenever I walk into the
band room, I am surrounded by
familiar faces and a familiar
environment.”-Jane Wu, Flute
“For me, band is the opportunity to
learn about yourself through hard
work. It’s the opportunity to meet a
whole group of amazing friends, every
one being different from the next. It's
the opportunity to push past any
boundaries that you had set for
yourself. It's the opportunity to gain
so many memories, bonds, and
experiences that you will take with
you for the rest of your life. Band has
allowed me to grow so much as a
person. It has taught me the outcome
of hard work and dedication.”-Lauren
Epps, Clarinet.
“I would say that band, for
me, is the community. The
best thing about it is that you
have 300 instant friends the
second you walk onto
campus, and you keep those
friends the rest of the year
and sometimes even longer.
The saying is ‘once a band
geek always a band
geek.’”John Malchar,
Trumpet.
“Band, to me, means
happiness. It means a
positive group of people who
accept you for who you are,
and make you feel included.
It's where people can forget
about all the superficial stuff
and just hang out with others
who like to play
instruments.”-Kieran Gates,
Clarinet.

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Band is my home away from home; it's a place I can go to let go of all
the things that happened in my day. If I have a bad day and I go to band,
I can forget all the things people might have said to me or the bad grade
I got on a test, and I can focus on putting hard work into my marching
technique and music. There's just something really special about band,
especially on competition days. Everybody has lots of fun at section
unity and then we zero in and compete with a focus and unity that you
can just feel... it's really great. Also, seeing the freshmen and
lowerclassmen improve their marching over the course of the year is so
much fun. There might be times when band seems like it's too much
work for not enough reward, but the reward of a fantastic WBA Champs
weekend and the time you spend with the new friends you make is
indescribable. You get out of band what you put into it, and if you take it
seriously and put in the amount of work Grantham asks of you, you'll get
something absolutely wonderful—Austin Kim, Clarinet

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 Age old Advice

 “First, you need to be teachable. Second, you need to be able

to take constructive criticism well. It was definitely difficult as a
freshman, because you do get called out a lot for a multitude of
skills, all of which you are learning at the same time! But
thirdly, if you apply what you are told and figure out what works
best for you, you are able to succeed in band.”-Nicole Tsuno.
 “When applying sunscreen, make sure to get the back of
your neck, your ears, and ankles. People usually forget those
areas, and they end up getting really bad sunburns there.”-Vy Thai,
Clarinet.
 “The learning curve is designed for mistakes! Don't worry
about not completely understanding how to write drill or not
perfecting slides by the end of band camp. You won't be
the only one! You will continue to learn as the season
progresses!”-Lauren Epps, Clarinet.
 “I suggest being generally motivated for practice. Band is a lot
more enjoyable when you look forward to practice. Practice can be
tedious, but there are a lot of good things to be excited for.
Whether you look forward to the next gush, cookies after practice,
or a nice long shower when you get home... Find something
to motivate you to get through practice.”-Shari Nishijima, Color
guard.
 “To all the freshmen - no matter how much work practices
might seem to be, don't give up! The bonds and memories
you'll make will be more than amazing, as long as you are
willing to put effort into it.”-Jane Wu, Flute.
 “Band is like a second family, and it will become yours if
you let it.”-Courtney Cavanaugh, Alto Sax.
 “A super important tip is eat a good breakfast before
practice. The first day of band camp (my freshman year), I only
had some strawberries and promptly proceeded to faint on the
field.”-Jenna Bovaird, Drum Major

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 “Everyone in band is very outgoing and approachable, so
don't be afraid to say ‘hi’ or to ask any questions!”-Michelle Ho,
Clarinet
 “Try to get out of your social bubble and meet as many new
people as possible. Especially get close to everyone else in your
section because you guys will be spending lots of time
together, whether it's being excited about the show or complaining
about the heat. Finally, upperclassmen love giving advice to
underclassmen and are not as scary as they may seem.”-Cynthia
Chen, Flute.
 “Wear hats that go down to cover your neck; it’s better to look
like a lame fisherman than get a sunburn.”-Judy Kong, Clarinet.
 “Try to get involved as much as possible, because it really does
make the experience a lot more fun. Go all out on the spirit
days and try out for band council because it’s pretty cool seeing all
the behind-the-scenes of band.”-Annie Cai, Clarinet.

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 Mr. Grantham’s Favorites

 Hearts on fire, minds on ice.

 Before sound comes silence, and before
silence comes stillness.
 Calm, cool, and collected.
 Knock Knock,
Who’s there?
Interrupting Cow,
Interrupt—
MOOOOOOOOO!
 Float the top note.
 To be early is to be on time, to be on time
is to be late, and to be late is
unacceptable.
 ARTICULATION!
 Breathe, Touch!
 Work smarter, not harder!
 Do you have everything you need to be successful
for the day?
 Show, not tell.
 Flip the switch.
 We before me.
 Take care of those around you.
 Say kind words; do kind things.
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 FAQ

 "What is a drum major/captain/section leader/field assistant?"

o The drum major is the highest leadership position a
student can have in the band. These three students
conduct the band during a show.
o The brass and woodwind captains are the heads of the
wind sections in the band. These two people are an
extra set of eyes for Mr. Grantham on the field, and
they are a great asset if you have questions. The
captains usually lead and stand in front of the band
during awards at competitions.
o The section leaders are the students who lead each
group of instruments in the band. Each section has 1-4
section leaders who help you throughout the season.
These people are the ones you are typically the closest
to and most involved with.
o Field assistants are, in essence, the right-hand men (or
women) of the section leaders. They help clear up drill
disputes and give advice and motivation to the section
where the number of section leaders might be lacking.
 "I'm involved with other activities during the band season. Will
I be able to be a part of that activity AND band?"
o This is a really good question, and I have personal
experience in this area. I am a competitive dancer and
accommodating both band and dance was very doable.
As long as you ask Mr. Grantham, he will tell you that
participating in both activities is okay as long as you
spend an equal amount of time in both.
o From another perspective, Nicole Tsuno said, “From my
personal experience, doing band and something else
(like a sport) isn't impossible. What it comes down to is
how organized you are. Make sure you are in
25
 communication with Mr. Grantham and always have
him informed.”
 Dylan French said, “I remember that when I was a
freshman. I was nervous that my soccer schedule would
make band a super stressful time, but Mr. Grantham is
extremely nice and fair about the other activities we are
involved in.
 "How long is band camp/band season?"
o The band season typically spans from band camp in
August to championships in November.
 “Will I be able to balance my schoolwork and band?”
o Of course! As long as you manage your time and keep in
mind that you have to do your work ahead of time
before Tuesday practices, you will be fine! Actually,
people tend to have better grades during marching
band season because they are more aware of managing
their schedules.
 “Is it difficult to memorize all of the music?”
o Memorizing music can seem pretty scary when you first
receive the many pages of notes in August, but if you
set a schedule for yourself and memorize sections little
by little, the process becomes less daunting.
o Try to find patterns in your music! At least some parts
will have a repeating theme throughout the songs, so it
is possible that if you memorize one part, you actually
are memorizing several.

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 Glossary
Attendance block
 Before each practice, football game, or competition, this is the area
where Mr. Grantham and the drum majors will:
o Take attendance
o Talk about the goal of the day
o Talk about the schedule for the day
Attendance block takes place on the P.E. numbers. Each member is
assigned his or her own number for the season.

Backwards marching
 To march backwards, use your platforms.
o This includes the front part of your foot (your toes and the ball
of your foot.)
 Never let your heels touch the ground. This reduces your chance of
tripping, hurting yourself, and falling, and allows for smooth strides.
 Just like marching forward, lift up your body, keep your legs straight, and
push from your supporting foot.

Band ten hut

 Your attention position
o To achieve this, stand with your heels together and toes apart at
about 60°, put your hands into fists and put them by your hips, then
lift your elbows and keep them behind you.

Dress
 To make sure everybody is in the form properly, in the right spot.
 Check your cover side-to-side and front-to-back in between sets.
 You can also check your spacing and whether you are in your correct
dot.
 One you are done, go to the set position and await further direction.

· Dress set dress

 This is a command that allows you to dress in between sets.

Dot
 Your position on the field.

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· Halt
 When you stop marching in between sets OR
 When your dot is the same in multiple sets—this means you don’t move
dots!
 You ALWAYS halt with your right foot unless you are otherwise
instructed.
 On your last step before you halt, plant your foot into the ground and
end in your usual first position stance.

· Hash mark
 There are two hash marks on a field: front and back.
 These represent 28 steps off the sideline.
 Refer to the field map for a visual of the hash marks.
Note: High school hash marks are four 8-to-5 strides closer to each sideline than college
hash marks.

Heel-toe
 This is the basic technique any band member uses when they march.
 Just remember, when marching forward, to:
o Flex the foot that is taking a step.
o Imagine you are lifting up in your body as you march.
o Push off from the foot that is not stepping out.
o Keep your legs straight.
 Above all else, listen and learn from your section leaders, the
upperclassmen, and the staff: they only want you to get better.

Mark Time
 A method of marching in place while playing your music at the same
time.
o This allows you to practice your show while you aren’t on the
field.

Parade rest
 During competitions throughout the awards, this is the way you stand
while you wait for each award to be announced.
o To achieve this, stand in second position, or just take a step out
from your first position so that your legs are apart. Clasp your
hands in front of you and let them rest.
o If you don’t understand, make sure to pay close attention to
your section leaders at band camp!
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Pit (also known as “Front Ensemble”)
 The section in front of the band that consists of various percussion
instruments that a person cannot march with.
 Solos, if there are any, are usually performed in the pit.

Up in four, down in four

 When you are warming up before a practice or a competition, this is an
exercise the band does to get ready to march and feel lifted.
o This exercise consists of several parts that include balancing on
one foot while staying completely still with your upper body.
 These actions will train you how to move with your
lower body while you stay motionless on top, a skill you
need when marching.
 Listen closely at band camp as the staff teaches you this exercise because
it will be used throughout the entire season.

Set (as a marching position)

 A position that shows the staff that you are ready to move on, to
rehearse, and to learn.
o To achieve this, put one hand in a fist,
lay your other hand over the top, then pull
your hands up to be even with your nose,
and don’t forget to hold your elbows out!
Make sure you look like this
 Really pay attention when your
section leaders teach you this
position, because IT IS VERY,
VERY IMPORTANT IN BAND!
 This represents your instrument
being in playing position.
 Set can also be when your instrument
is with you, and it is in playing position.

Set (in music)

 A certain number of measures of music with the marching that is
associated with them.
 A chunk is a set, or group of sets.

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Sliding for winds:
 This consists of forwards or backwards marching, but in a different
direction other than straight forwards or backwards.
o You will use sliding a lot because most sets do not contain
straight forward or backward motion.
 To slide, your feet will go in the direction of your travel while your upper
body stays twisted to the front.
o To achieve this, start your twist from your hips.
o You should twist about halfway with just your hips.
o The rest of your twist is from your torso, and your shoulders
should be flat to the front.

Sliding for drumline:

 To crab step, you need to put your left foot in the front when going
right, and when going left, you keep your right foot in the front.
 While crab stepping, keep both feet parallel to the front and don't move
your hips at all; keep them parallel as well.
 Like backwards marching, stay on the balls of your feet and don't roll
back on your heels.
 Make sure to engage your core to keep your balance and keep your
upper body still the whole time.
 Also, make sure that your pathway is straight and not curved up or
down. Keep a straight line while marching.

Stab
 While marching, this is when you point your foot, stop yourself from
moving, and end with your second foot meeting the other in first
position.

Step Out
 When you take a step in the direction of your next dot while marking
time to represent each of your sets and your direction changes.
o This helps you get used to playing music and marching at the same
time.

30
 Step size
 When you are marching, there is always a specific distance that you must
travel in each step.
o 8 to 5 stride
 This means that for every 5 yards, or in between every
yard line, you must take 8 steps.
 This is the stride you most often use, but you can also use 16 to 5, 16
steps per every 5 yards, or 4 to 5, 4 steps per every 5 yards.

Travel uniform
 When you go to attendance block or on the buses before a competition,
this is what you wear: your band shirt, bib pants, black socks, and
marching shoes. You carry your jacket in your garment bag.

Your stance
 Whenever you are rehearsing or in a halt, you will be standing in FIRST
POSITION (unless otherwise instructed.)
o To achieve this, put your feet together,
then spread them apart at 60° angles, or
just make sure they look like this

31
For those select few of you who have never seen a football field, below is
what we mean when we say the yard line, end zone, or goal posts, plus
some marching terms you will need to know.

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