The Band Parents' Dictionary(Useful Terms for Band Parents)by George Yenetchi, Band Parent and Assistant Tuba Tutor, RSS Band |
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Advice for Parents and Students |
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Accidental- Markings in music such as sharps or flats which indicate that a note is to be played differently from normal, so called because students frequently accidentally overlook them Accompaniment- Music played by a band or piano as background and support to a solo performance Accompanist- Musician who plays an accompaniment, usually on a piano. In a band context this happens most often for a contest solo performance Administration- The executives of a public school system including superintendents, principals, staff coordinators, etc. who may or may not provide proper support for the band program. Adjustment- What the keys on a woodwind are always out of, which causes leaks which impair playability requiring costly professional repairs. All-Region, All-District, All-City, All-State Band- Elite regional bands made up of the better players from many schools selected by audition, used as a carrot (or perhaps a stick) to get band members to practice their instruments. Alternate- Band member held in ready reserve to replace band members who must leave a show due to illness, injury or disqualification. They lug and set-up pit equipment. If many or all alternates go into the show then band parents take over the lugging and setting up. Arranger- A person who improves music originally written for another type of performing group by rewriting it for use by a marching band, as in "The band parents paid an arranger to arrange 'Nixon in China' as a marching contest piece." Attrition- Students dropping out of band as they grow older and are exposed to bad influences. Some attrition is probably unavoidable as in, "But I have to leave the band, my father's been transferred and our family is moving to Unterammergau." Audience- Discriminating music aficionados in attendance at Band Concerts including yourself and all your friends and relatives Audition- Nerve racking solo performance before contest judges in attempt to qualify for an All-Something band, to determine one's chair or to get a scholarship Auditorium- Large theater-like room in a school in which they hold band concerts, may be used for other purposes on non-concert days Auxiliaries- Non-instrumentalists who march and dance with the band carrying flags, props, etc. Sometimes worth valuable extra points at marching contests, see Drill/Dance Teams
Band- 1)Any group of musicians who play together, 2) A large aggregation of wind and percussion instruments of inherent musicality. Once widely popular but now (due to the declining musical tastes of an untutored, television besotted, lazy eared public) largely confined to schools and universities. Band, Community- Band made up of volunteer players from the community. Usually a mixed group including school band directors, adult amateurs, under-employed freelance musicians and a few high school players who do not find the school program intense enough and seek even more band experience. So great is the popularity of band music that a typical American city of only 2 million people can support a community band of nearly 65 players. Band Director, Associate- Second in band hall only to the Head Band Director. Has own feast day of obligation. Most Drum Majors want to become one. Band Director, Head- Underpaid yet fanatically dedicated Commander-in-Chief of the band (whose wisdom and authority in the band hall can only be compared to that of a major deity), most Associate Band Directors want to become one Band Hall- 1) Center of band activities in a school, 2) your second home "BAND IS LIFE"- The central tenet of Elkhart, Indiana philosopher John Philip Sousa Jones' seminal five volume work: "On the Fact of Existence", quite possibly the most insightful of all writings on the human condition. "BAND IS LOVE"- Alternative expression of the condition of bandness especially appealing to persons not interested in five volume works of philosophy. Band Members- 1) The students in the band including your child, 2) a mob of musical instrument wielding Visigoths Bands of America- A national organization which sponsors really prestigious regional and national band contests Band Camp - (See Marching Band Camp) Band Office- Small cramped Holy of Holies located next to Band Hall containing telephone and also directors' desks, equipment, etc. Band Officers- Mostly powerless elected or appointed student leaders of a band, being one looks good on college application forms. Band Parents- The best, most selfless, hardest working people on Earth Band Parents Meeting- Democracy in action Band Parents Organization- 1) All the band parents as a group, 2) your primary waking activity during marching and concert seasons Band Shell- Over stage structure designed to reflect sound of concert band forward at outdoor concerts and to provide truly minimal protection from wind and rain Banner- Large brightly colored rectangular cloth with a band's name and home city on it. Carried on horizontal pole in front of band at parades Bass Clef- Handsomely stylized letter "F" used to identify the bass staff on which the lower notes (below middle C on a piano) are written. In a band tubas, trombones, bassoons and most euphoniums read the bass clef at proper concert pitch eschewing the awkward and confusing transpositions preferred by most treble clef instruments, see treble clef Baton- 1) Short cute stick-like device used by conductors to make the beat easier to see, 2) often dropped ornamented stick twirled by auxiliaries called twirlers, once very popular but now much less so, see rifles Beat- 1) Integral subdivision of time in music, marked by the waving of the conductor's arms, 2) how a band parent chaperone feels at the end of a band trip Bell- 1) A clanging tuned metal percussion instrument, 2) That part of a brass instrument which must point home during a marching show Brass- 1) The shiny loud instruments, 2) what the shiny loud instruments are made out of (which is a non-eutectic, non-magnetic, highly conductive metal alloy of 70% copper and 30% zinc in its most common "yellow brass" form. It has a face centered cubic crystal structure), see red brass, nickel silver Bus, Band- A primitive, crowded, noisy motorized transport used to take bands to contests, games, etc. Use outlawed by most civilized nations. Bus, Charter - Comfortable and roomy but expensive hired bus sometimes used for band overnight trips Button- Familiar fastening device that falls off band uniforms
Cadet Band- A band in ability below a varsity band Call Back- Second round in an audition in which the better players audition a second time to determine chair, break ties, etc. Captain, (Percussion, Keyboard, etc.)- Field Officer having special responsibility for one sub-section of band. Cases- Battered suitcase-like satchels for carrying and storing instruments Chair, First- The top player in a section as "Ethylbert made first chair fluegal horn at the audition." Chair, Last- The worst player in a section as "Aethylreda blew the mellophone audition and sat last chair." Chair- 1)Ranking of band members in the same section according to ability (or some such thing) as determined by audition, 2) what band members sit on when giving band concerts Chairpersons, Band Parent Committee- Band parent in charge of a specific activity such as fund raising, chaperones, etc. Do not bother hiding, they will track you down anyway. Chaos- State of order in Band Hall except when band members are actually in rehearsal (and sometimes even then) Chaperones, Band- Band parent band member tenders Chimes- chromatic set of tubular bells suspended by shoe laces from a frame held together with tape to form a keyboard instrument used in the pit Choreographer- Person who creates choreography as in "The band parents paid a choreographer to prepare the new marching contest piece." Choreography- Plan of body movements of band and auxiliaries in show including marching, drilling and dancing (band members improvise tripping, slipping and falling themselves). Clinic- Oddly named rehearsal which focuses on one aspect of playing, a single instrument, etc. See sectional and master class Clinician- Outside expert paid big bucks (those big bucks are a miserable pittance from the clinician's point of view) by band parents to work with a section of the band as in "The percussion clinician rehearsed the drummers in their drill." Composer- A (often impecunious) person who writes music (band composers include J.P. Sousa, G. Holst, P. Grainger, V. Nelybel, R. Smith, C. Williams, P. Creston, G. Jacobs, K. Husa, L. Osman, J. Bavicchi, T. Beversdorf, H. Owen Reed, P. H Concert, Band- Sophisticated high class musical entertainment appealing to the finer human sensibilities by featuring band performances Concert Band- 1) In general usage a band assembled to play concerts, 2) in school usage a band in ability above a varsity band but below a symphonic band. Concert Dress- Uniform or other formal attire worn by band members when giving a concert. Varies from matching T-shirts and jeans (cheap and comfortable) to Tuxedos and Gowns (expensive and uncomfortable) Concert Pitch- 1) The standard pitch for the treble clef second space A currently set at 440 Hertz but fast pushing 442 or even 444, 2) the actual note sounded by a transposing instrument (trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, horn, treble clef baritone, etc) as opposed to the note read by the player Concert Season- Roughly December through May, the band parent's busiest time of year, see also Marching Season Conductor- Arm waving personage who leads band during a performance or rehearsal, usually one of the directors or drum majors but sometimes a clinician or guest conductor. Contest Music- Graded music (1, Easy to 5, Difficult) chosen from a list provided by the sponsoring organization which is to be played at Concert or Solo/Ensemble Contests Contests, Concert- 1) Competitions among concert bands playing contest music before a panel of judges, 2) The focus of life in the spring Contests, Marching- 1) Competitions among marching bands before a panel of judges, 2) The focus of life in the autumn Contests, Solo and Ensemble-1) Competition among band members and band member ensembles, 2) The focus of life in the winter Cork- Tree bark (yes, truly) used for woodwind joints/pads and as a cushioning material on valves and keys Costumes- Fancy dress worn by auxiliaries and Drum Majors, sometimes in keeping with show theme. Crooks- 1) Length of brass tubing added to a brasswind to change its key as from F to Eb or from C to Bb 2) musical instrument sales personal (well, many of them) Covering Down- A technique used by band members to keep their lines straight or at least sort of straight when marching
Disqualification- 1) When a band member is barred from participating in band activities due to failure to meet academic standards, fear of this may inspire band members to study, 2) The barring of a band from competition due to a rules violation Drill/Dance Team- Autonomous group (often mostly or exclusively female) which may march as auxiliaries with band at football games and marching contests. Drums- Cylindrical, hollow percussion instruments designed to deafen. Drum Majors- Student conductors who lead bands on marching field, most field officers want to become one
Elkhart, Indiana- Headquarters of many US instrument makers like Conn (UMI) and Blessing. What Detroit is to autos, Elkhart is to band instruments. Embouchure- Funny faces made by band members when they are playing their instruments Ensemble- Small group of players performing or auditioning together- duet, trio, quartet, etc.
Facing- Where the band members are facing when marching. Ideal is for all to be facing home regardless of direction they are marching Field Officers- Marching band petty officers, most band members want to become one Fingering- Position of a player's fingers (open or closed, down or up, etc.) on keys or valves needed to sound a given note as in "What's the fingering for a high Eb?" First Division- 1) The highest score in band contest scoring, 2) (by extension of 1) very good, as in, "That was a First Division piece of baked halibut." Fifth Division- 1) The lowest score in band contest scoring, 2) (by extension of 1) very bad, as in, "That was a Fifth Division candied yam." Flags- 1) Large pieces of colored cloth on poles waved by auxiliaries, 2) the auxiliaries who wave them Flat- 1) Overlooked marking in music which indicates that the following note should be played 1/2 step lower than written, 2) playing a note at a pitch slightly below the correct pitch which is personalized as, "You are flat!", 3) when an instrument is out of tune because the slides are pulled out too far Flautists- What overeducated people call flutists Folder- 1) Cardboard slipcase for keeping a band member's music together so that all of it may be mislaid at the same time as; "I can't find my folder." 2) same as chair as in, "She's playing second folder." Folio, Marching- Easily lost or forgotten small loose-leaf booklet holding marching music, same as flip folder Football- A game played on a marching field to entertain audience while the band is getting ready to perform Football Games- Events scheduled to provide opportunities for marching contest show dress rehearsals before marching contests Fund Rai$ing- The most important band parent activity, involves making large quantities of money transfer to band from any outside source "Funky Winkerbean"- Newspaper comic strip that contains an uncannily accurate depiction of modern high school band life.
Gig- Musicians' term for any paid playing job. Playing jazz at Bennie's Discount Hot Spot in Sandusky would be a gig, so would an appearance before H.M. the Queen at the Annual Royal Command Performance in the Royal Albert Hall, London. Band members can sometimes pick up $10 playing gigs for church services, weddings, etc. Gig Bag- Padded cloth bag for carrying instruments, music and equipment Golden Age- Period from 1880 to 1930 when band popularity was at its height. Among the greats: John Philip Sousa, Pat Gilmore, W.C. Handy, Edwin Franko Goldman, Creatore, Arthur Pryor Guest conductors- Conductors, from outside the band organization, invited to conduct the band because they are famous fine conductors, they composed the music being played or they have a lot of money some of which the band has gotten. Gymnasium- Large room in a school used for band concerts if there is no or only an inadequate auditorium, there are some sports that can be played in it
Hall- Long narrow structure which connects Band Hall with the rest of the school Hall, Concert- Theater-like structure designed for the giving of concerts. Harness- Elaborate strap used to carry larger instruments (drums, tubas, etc) while marching Hat Boxes- Carrying cases for uniform hats which are often left behind in uniform room at start of band trip or on band buses at end of band trip Half-time- The only interesting part of a football game. High School- Secondary school, the level at which band parenting becomes intense Home- 1) Place where marching contest judges sit when judging, as in "Point your horns toward home!", 2) Place where band members and parents briefly sleep between band activities. Honors Band- In schools having multiple bands, the band of highest ability Horns- 1) Generic term for all wind instruments as in, 'Get your horns out and warm up!", 2) French horns, 3) The people who play French horns Hot Chocolate- Heated flavored water lugged by band parents, used to warm band members on cold days.
Ice- Frozen water lugged by band parents, used to cool band members on hot days. Idiophones- Non-drum non-keyboard percussion instruments such as the triangle, the anvil, etc. Instruments- Expensive devices for making music, see Brass, Percussion and Woodwinds Instrument Manufacturers- Companies that make and sell musical instruments, no longer to be confused with instrument brands. (Many once proud instrument makers are now just brand names for conglomerates. King, Conn, Benge, Artley, Schilke etc. are now made by UMI while Bach, Selmer, Bundy etc. are all made by Selmer) Instrument Repairmen- Difficult to find persons who repair instruments. Good ones are especially rare and should be accorded the deference and respect otherwise reserved for saints, Nobel prize winners and TV Stars (until their series are canceled) For example the best instrument repairman in the City of Houston (to choose a city at random) is over 80 years old and very hard of hearing but on a Saturday you have to stand in line to see him. Invitational- Snobby band contest only open to bands invited to participate by the sponsoring organization
Jazz Band- Small band which plays jazz type music, heavy on saxophones, short on tubas Judges, Contest- Eagle-eyed, golden-eared, infinitely demanding persons who can spot unraised band member toes at a distance of 200 yards, at night, through fog while detecting one slightly out of tune clarinet during a brass fortissimo. Widely believed by band parents to take fiendish pleasure in giving out low scores at marching and concert contests.
Keyboards- Inconveniently large and awkward instruments (a subset of the percussion and pit instruments) whose tuned elements are arranged chromatically like a piano's keyboard, as marimba, xylophone, bells and chimes Keys- 1) Fragile padded levers that are out of adjustment on woodwinds, 2) tools used to unlock doors to Band Hall and Band Office Key Signature- Often overlooked marking in music which tells in what key a piece is to be played
Laps- 1) Running of these around a marching field is a common punishment for inattention or sloth during marching practice, 2) What tuba and euphonium players use to support their instruments when sitting down Lessons, Private- 1) One-on-one tuition of a band member by a private instrument teacher for which the band member is supposed to practice hence: 2) a Sisyphean endeavor Loading Crew- Loosely organized group of band members and parents who load/unload the band truck, see Pit Crew Lyre- Device which is supposed to hold flip-folder on instrument while marching
March- 1) Short piece of music in double time intended to be played while marching in a parade, 2) the month during which concert contests usually take place Marching- Organized group walking around on a marching field or street Marching Band- A band that plays while marching Marching Band Camp- A two week or longer marching practice for new band members scheduled to conflict with parents' summer plans Marching Field- A field 100 yards in length, marked in 10 yard increments used for marching band performances. There are some sports (such as football and field hockey) which can be played on a marching field Marching Horn (French or Baritone)- Special version of concert instrument wrapped trumpet style to direct sound forward while marching so that French horn and baritone horn players can point toward home. Marching Instrument- Inexpensive, often second hand, instrument used for marching to protect expensive new instrument from marching related damage Marching Practice- Band members principal waking activity from August through November Marching Season- 1) Roughly June through November, the band parent's busiest time of year, see Concert Season Master Class- Super fancy sectional presided over by famous expensive clinician, usually held as part of a conference or at a university, see Clinic Mathematics- 1) The only human endeavor which rivals band in importance, 2) low grades in which are a frequent cause of band member disqualification Measure- Division of a line of music delimited by bar lines. Defined by the number of notes of a specific length contained therein as shown by the time signature. Mess- Condition of Band Bus at end of Band Trip. When used by band parents the word 'mess' is often qualified by adjectives such as 'complete', 'horrible', 'total' or '&#@&^$!' Metronome- Infuriating clockwork or electronic device which indicates beats at a set rate per minute preventing student from slowing or speeding during practice. Military Bands- 1) Just about the only remaining paying band job to which student musicians can aspire after high school, AKA "Service Bands", 2) British term for what in America is called a Concert or Marching Band as opposed to the British "brass band". Military Marching- Older style of band marching (still used in Longview, Texas) and also used by the military to move infantry Money- 1)That which there will never be too much of in the Band Parent Organization's bank account, 2) That of which there will soon be much less of in the new band parent's bank account Mouthpiece- 1) An object made of brass which is often lost by brass players, 2) an object made of brass which is often stuck tight in an instrument, 3) that part of a woodwind instrument into which the reed is inserted Music- 1) What the band members are playing down on the marching field or up on stage. 2) important pieces of paper which band members misplace immediately before a band contest or band concert as in- "I can't find my music!". Musician- A person who performs music or tries to. Musicianship- What band members are supposed to be learning Music, Grade 5- Most difficult of band music (beloved by contest judges), first sight of which often reduces even First Chair players to mute wide-eyed disbelief Music Store, good- Emporium selling instruments at competitive prices, a wide selection of sheet music and speedy expert instrument repairs. There is a rumor one exists in Indiana. Music Store, local- Source of overpriced instruments, guitar fake books and slow inept instrument repairs Mutes- Device inserted into brasswind bells to reduce their loudness to tolerable levels
Newsletters- 1) Band parent periodical published and delivered at irregular intervals, 2) Along with 'The Weather Channel' your primary source of information during marching season Nickel Silver- Silver-colored metal alloy containing absolutely no silver and precious little nickel. Closely related to brass it has a few percent of nickel in addition to copper and zinc. Used for trim and bracing on brasswinds. Sometimes French horns are made out of nickel silver instead of brass. Notes- 1) The sounds instruments make, 2) black dots on a page of music which represent these sounds and come in a variety of popular sizes including whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, etc.
Orchestra- Large poorly balanced instrumental ensemble with many string instruments but few tubas, some band members may play in it when it is in full orchestra mode.
Pads- Soft disk-shaped wafers on woodwind keys which cover the holes in the closed position until they wear or fall out at which point a professional repadding is needed. Parades- Festive street processionals interesting since they often include bands, usually held as part of a holiday celebration, i.e., Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Groundhog Day, etc. Parts- A single instrument's or section's portion of a piece of band music as in clarinet part, bassoon part, tuba part, etc. see Score. Percussion- Very loud banged instruments Percussion Feature- 1) Portion of marching show during which only percussion plays, 2) wind players embouchure rest period Photo Buttons (Pins)- A picture of your band member(s) in their band uniform in button form which you proudly wear to games and contests causing no end of embarrassment to your band member(s). Pit-1) Collection of pit instruments and equipment too large to march arranged along the center of the side lines of the marching field, named by analogy to orchestra pit in an opera house, 2) the band members who play in the pit Pit Crew- band parents with sore backs, see Loading Crew Pit Crew Captain- band parent with very sore back Pit Instruments and Equipment- Large non-marchable instruments and equipment designed not to be easily moved onto marching field sidelines by band parents. Includes, but is not limited to, marimbas, tympani, bass drums, tenor drums, wood blocks, trap sets, Orff instruments, vibraphones, xylophones, amplifiers, speakers, podiums, ladders, tam-tams, auto parts, gongs, chimes, bells, cymbals, pianos, organs, synthesizers, sirens, electronic keyboards, bows, props and kitchen sinks Pit Players- Marching band members without hats, they play pit instruments Pitch- The vibration frequency of a note usually expressed in Hertz (cycles per second), see concert pitch Plumes- Fragile feather-like adornments worn (in fine weather) on uniform hats Plume Box- Unwieldy large heavy box (moved about by band parents) which has compartments for storing plumes Podiums- Raised platforms upon which conductors stand so that band members can see them easily and have no excuse for not being in time and on beat Practice- The hardest thing in the world to get band members to do. Even getting them to study is easier! Private Lesson Teacher- Underpaid Sisyphus Props- Things used (usually by auxiliaries) as part of marching show such as flags, back drops, bicycles, batons, pompoms, balloons, masks, CO2 canisters, light field artillery, etc., etc., etc.
Quaver- 1) To play with a trill, 2) an eighth note (old usage but still current in Britain)
Rain- Inclement weather which interferes with marching practice Red Brass, Rose Brass- Brass containing a higher than usual percentage of copper. Used in some of the more expensive models of brasswinds, same as Geld Messing Reeds- Easily damaged devices made of reed that are often forgotten by woodwind players Rehearsal- Organized group practice of band (or other) music as, "When asked on his 95th birthday what he still looked forward to, the conductor Leopold Stokowski replied, "The next rehearsal!"." Rehearsal, Dress- Traditionally disastrous rehearsal in full uniform using all elements (auxiliaries, costumes, props, etc.) that will be used in the formal performance, it is usually the last rehearsal before the performance Rehearsal, Sectional- Intensive rehearsal for one section of the band, usually held after school and sometimes conducted by a clinician. Repadding- Replacing the worn-out pads on a woodwind instrument, typically costs $15.00 for the pads and $200.00 for the labor. Repertoire- List of music a band performs or is prepared to perform as "Alban Berg's Wozzeck is not in our repertoire!" Rifles- 1) Wooden props somewhat in the shape of rifles juggled by auxiliaries, 2) the auxiliaries who juggle them Rubber Bands- Small elastic bands used for temporary repairs to keys or valves when springs break Rhythm- Temporal relationships among notes, accents and beats
Scales- Series of ascending/descending notes which band members should, but often don't, memorize Scatter- Part of a marching show during which band members walk freestyle to the next set instead of marching in step, mistaken by less astute contest judges for poor marching. Scholarship, Music or Marching or Band- Tuition money offered by many colleges (but not all of them by a long shot let me tell you) to students willing to play in one of the college's bands. Audition usually required. School Board- Usually elected trustees of a public school district to whom administrators report and who are ultimately responsible for allocation of budgets, tax rates, etc. Complaints about underfunding of band programs should be directed to them. A very large number of band complaints will be needed to make an impression due to the large volume of school complaints in general. Score- 1) All the parts in a musical composition printed together for use by the conductor in spotting mistakes by band members, 2) numerical rating of a band's or band member's contest or audition performance as in: low score, poor score, bad score, etc. Section- A grouping of like instruments as "trumpet section", "bassoon section" or "euphonium section" Set- 1) One of the layout positions of band members the moving amongst
of which forms the choreography of the marching show as in Set 1, Set 2, etc., 2) Loudly
shouted syllable, as in: "SET!!!" which combines the imperative and exclamatory
forms. Purpose is to encourage band members to get into position, at attention and be
quiet. It is believed to be a contraction of the phrase- Sharp- 1) Overlooked marking in music which indicates that the following note should be played 1/2 step higher than written, 2) playing a note at a pitch slightly above the correct pitch which is personalized as, "You are sharp!", 3) when an instrument is out of tune because the slides are pushed in too far, 4) what the various cutting tools in band hall's tool box aren't Shoe Laces- Short lengths of woven cotton yarn used for emergency repairs of percussion instruments, they can also be used to lace shoes Show, Marching- The music and choreography performed by a marching band and auxiliaries. Show, Marching Contest- A marching show prepared for competition at a marching contest. Typically 9 minutes 59 seconds in length. Sight Reading- Playing music that one has never ever seen before. Widely held to be the true test of a band's or individual musician's ability. Widely detested by school and amateur musicians. Singing- Music made without an instrument using only the voice, used by choirs which may sing with a band in concerts and sometimes used in marching shows Socks, Band- Familiar article of clothing for the feet (often black in color) frequently forgotten by band members. Soloists- Band members who play a featured part by themselves in a performance, half of the band wishes that they were a soloist, the other half of band are glad that they are not soloists. Sousaphone- Marching version of tuba which wraps around player's body and is made visually conspicuous by a large flaring bell Sports- Various non-band athletic activities at schools, undesirable because they sometimes distract band members from band duties Springs- Wound tensioned metal wires that, until they break, move valves and keys back into the open or closed position Stadium- Marching field with stands (and fences, gates, lights, parking lots, etc.), the place where marching contests and football games are held Stage- Raised platform on which band sits during band concert, usually contained within auditorium, hall or band shell Stands- 1) Tall deskettes for holding music so that it can be seen while playing, 2) tiers of uncomfortable benches in a stadium on which audience sits at marching contests and football games, 3) devices which support larger instruments Step- The condition of having a band member's feet go up and down in perfect synchronization with all the other band members, as in, " The saxophones are not in step!" Stick- 1) Generic term for a device used to strike a percussion instrument (drum stick, mallet, hammer), 2) a baton, 3) what un-oiled valves and keys do Straps- Lengths of cordage/leather/plastic used to suspend instruments (saxophones, bassoons, tubas, drums, bell lyres, etc) while playing Students- All of the enrollees of a school including those who are not in band. Study- What band members must do to pass classes, especially in mathematics, in order to avoid disqualification Summer Band Camp- Summer camp run by a university music department where band members can squeeze in additional band experience during summer break Summer Break- Brief period between end of Marching Band Camp and beginning of Marching Practice often used by band members to attend a university's Summer Band Camp Symphonic Band- 1) In general usage a large concert band, 2) In school usage a band in ability above a concert band but below an honors band.
Tape- 1) Any of various types of adhesive backed cloth, plastic or paper strips used to repair everything a band uses, as in, 'Have you got any tape?' 2) Video and/or audio recording of band's performance Theme- The important line in a piece of music which you can't hear because everyone else is playing too loud 'The Music Man'- Meredith Wilson's 1957 landmark musical play (and parable for our time) in which the residents of a typical American city save their young people from the temptations of a pool hall by forming a band and becoming band parents. The shining jewel of the American musical theater. A must see for band parents. Tidy- Condition of band's section of stadium or band bus after band parents finish cleaning up Time- One of the four components of the multidimensional model of space-time in the physics of relativity. It is used to define the temporal relationships among notes in music, see beats. Time Signature- Fraction-like numerical symbol which defines the length of a measure in terms of number of types of notes contained therein. Toes- Band member appendages (approximately 10 each) which must be up when marching forward and on which they march when going backward Treble Clef- Crudely stylized letter "G" used to identify the treble staff on which the high shrill notes (above middle C on a piano) are written. In a band flutes, piccolos, trumpets, saxophones, clarinets, horns and some euphoniums read in treble clef, see bass clef. Trip, Band- A (sometimes loosely) organized mass transport of a band for the purpose of giving a performance at a location remote from the band hall Trip, Overnight Band- 1) An organized mass transport of a band for the purpose of giving a performance at a location so remote from the band hall that they must stay overnight at an hotel, 2) An activity loved by band members and dreaded by those band chaperones who still retain a shred of sanity Truck, Band- Undersized, usually rented, vehicle for transporting pit instruments, etc. T-shirt, Band- Matching shirts worn by band members to make them easy to spot by chaperones when out of uniform T-shirt, Band Parents- Matching shirts worn by band parents to make it easier for band members to spot and avoid them Tuba- The finest musical instrument of all, closely related to sousaphone, bombardon, bass, brass bass, helicon. Sadly under appreciated by the public. Tune- 1) An optimistic attempt to adjust instruments to the same concert pitch, 2) the state of being in the correct pitch, as, "The clarinets are in tune.", 3) the lead part or melody or theme in a piece of music Tuner- Electronic device which tells band members how out of tune they are. Tuning Fork- What band members used to tune before they invented tuners.
Uniforms, Band- Snazzy matching suits with hats worn by band members to make them easier to spot by chaperones, distributed and altered by band parents Uniform Room- Huge closet-like room in which uniforms are stored between performances, also used for private lessons and ensemble/sectional rehearsals U.S. Postal Service- Organization established by Benjamin Franklin under authority of the Second Continental Congress to ensure the late delivery of Band Parent Organization newsletters.
Valves- Thing-a-ma-bobs on brass instruments pushed with the fingers to help change pitch Valve Oil- A lubricant for valves usually not in the possession of young brass players Varsity Band- A band ranked below a concert band but above a cadet band in ability
Water- Common but heavy liquid lugged by band parents and used to refresh band members after performance of marching show Warm-up- light playing on instruments before a performance to ready lip muscles and (literally) warm the horns Wind Ensemble- A small, often elite, band Woodwinds- Skinny, quiet (compared to brass and percussion) instruments requiring frequent expensive repairs
Xylophone- The only thing used in bands that starts with the letter "X".
Zither- Plucked harp-like stringed instrument almost never used in bands (OK, you come up with something better starting with "Z") |
