KEY TERMS & BAND LINGO
Key Terms & Band Lingo
If you're new to marching band, it might feel like you're learning a whole new language. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Here’s a quick reference guide to the most common terms you'll hear throughout the season:
🎩 Uniform & Equipment Terms
- Shako – The formal marching hat
- Plume – Decorative feather that attaches to the shako
- Bibbers – Black overall-style pants worn under the uniform jacket
- Gloves – White or black gloves worn by marchers (usually not for percussion)
- Guard Uniform – Specialized costume worn by Color Guard
- Concert Attire – Formal black dress or tuxedo shirt/bowtie for concert performances
📍 Marching & Drill Terms
- Call Time – The time a student must be dressed and ready (not just arriving!)
- Set – A single position in the marching drill
- Drill – The full series of sets/positions a marcher moves through during the show
- Dot Sheet – A personalized chart showing each student’s exact location for every set
- Drum Major – Student conductor of the marching band
- Section Leader – Student leader for a specific instrument section
- Lieutenant – Leader over a full instrumental family (Brass, WW, Percussion)
- Visuals – Choreographed body movements or poses (e.g., horn flashes)
- Step-Off – The moment the band begins moving or playing
- Hash Marks – Yard-line markings on the football field that help align sets
🎵 Musical Groups
- Front Ensemble (aka "The Pit") – Non-marching percussion (e.g., marimbas, vibes, synths)
- Drumline – Marching percussion section (snare, quads, bass, cymbals)
- Color Guard – Visual team using flags, props, and dance to enhance the show
- Sailors of Swing – The FBHS Jazz Ensemble
- Symphonic Band – Primary concert ensemble
- Winter Guard – Indoor performance team competing in FFCC during spring
🚛 Volunteer/Parent Terms
- Pit Crew – Parents who help move front ensemble equipment on/off the field
- Trailer Crew – Students who load/unload the equipment trailer before/after events
- Uniform Crew – Parents who help issue, fit, and maintain student uniforms
- Field Staff – Adults who help move props and equipment during shows
- Chaperone – Adult riding the bus and staying with the band during events
🛠️ Logistics & Event Lingo
- Run-Through – A full rehearsal of the entire field show
- Warm-Up – Pre-show practice session (music & marching)
- Post-Show – Debrief session after a performance, led by the director
- Cadence – A rhythmic beat played by the drumline to keep tempo when marching
- Tech – A specialized part-time instructor for a specific section (e.g., brass tech)
- MPA – Music Performance Assessment (official judged evaluation)
- Solo & Ensemble – Optional event where students perform individually or in small groups