Eastern MARCHING Vikings BAND TERMS & INFO

ACC's - Atlantic Coast Championships:  The finale competitions of both the outdoor and indoor seasons.  ACC's for outdoor marching band is held in November (currently at Hershey, PA).  ACC's for indoor programs is a multi-day event in April/May (currently held in Wildwood, NJ). 

Adjudicator:  Another term for “judge.” The adjudicator’s job is to provide evaluation and feedback for a specific performance at a specific event. In a competition setting, the adjudicator may also be tasked to rank groups and help determine awards based on scores they provide. 

Air Grams: personalized PA announcements/fundraisers that parents and friends may purchase at outdoor marching band competitions to support band members- these are read over the PA just before the band performs.

Bagging uniforms:  What students must do with their uniforms when they take them off after performances.  Each student is assigned a specific bag and uniform with his/her name on them.  Uniforms must be hung up correctly and promptly so they are ready for wearing in the next competition.  Lessons in folding and hanging pants are given regularly.

BAND App: Your source of text communication for all things marching band related.  There are groups for the marching band parents and members.  Be sure to sign up for both and we apologize in advance for some duplication of messages. You will get lots of texts with vital information in them.  

Band Camp:  Band camp is every year in August. Band camp is a full week of day-long activities, exercises, drills and fun. We learn the music and formations for our upcoming marching band performance. Bring lots of water and sunscreen.  

Band parents (aka “band moms” and “band dads”):  Not only are band parents the ones who supply the raw material for the band/guard in the form of their children, they also manage the logistical activities that keep the band running.  The kids generally appreciate how hard the parents work and frequently say “thank you”, things not often seen in the typical herd of teenagers.

Band lockers/Cubbies:  Assigned spaces in the band room where students can keep their instruments if they are not taking them home. Also used for storage of books, homework, lunch containers and pretty much everything else.  If your child is missing something, the first question to ask is: “Have you checked your band locker.”  This is especially important if the thing they are missing is perishable.

Battery: Marching Band percussion section that carries drums and marches; is comprised of snare drums, bass drums, and tenors.

Black socks:  A key part of the marching band uniform and one that is very likely to go missing at crucial times – i.e., before a competition.  It’s essential that students do not have white socks showing between their black pants and black shoes. While there has been the occasional student effort to draw socks on with Sharpies, this has not been a particularly effective strategy.  Your best bet is to buy lots of black socks and prepare for all of them to disappear during the course of the marching season.

Brass section: trombones, euphoniums, sousaphones, tubas, bari saxes, baritones, trumpet, coronet, and mellophone. Students say: "The Marching Vikings Brass Section is comprised of students who are always full of energy and enthusiasm. We bring warmth and energy to the overall sound of the Marching Vikings band, which goes hand in hand with the warm and welcoming personalities of the musicians behind the horns."

Candy Grams: candy and accompanying personalized notes that can be purchased at outdoor and indoor competitions - and distributed to band members for after their performance (fundraiser for host band) 

Caption Awards: various awards a marching band can win at competitions, such as “Best Visual” and “Best Music.” 

Color Guard: see Guard.

Competitions (aka Comps) - Outdoor Marching Band: held on Saturdays or Sundays from September through November, involving a number of marching bands performing and competing in a particular high school’s stadium. Bands generally compete against other bands in their “group” – a distinction which is made based on the number of band members.  Parents and family members can go and watch the performances.  You’ll see bands ranging in size from a few dozen to more than 200.  And performance themes that encompass everything imaginable – from the Muppets, to Star Wars, to Aaron Copeland. (See Stadium Seats.)

Competitions (aka Comps) - Indoor Season: held on Saturdays or Sundays from February to May, Eastern Marching Vikings Indoor Drumline and Indoor Guard both compete at the same event but in different sections.  The members compete against other drumlines and guard teams in their “group” – a distinction which is made based on experience and skill level.  Parents and family members are encouraged to come, cheer and watch the performances.  

Designer Bag Bingo: This is our biggest fundraiser. The EVBA sponsors this fun-filled night out including games of bingo, a 50/50 raffle, door prizes and basket raffles. 

Dine and Donate Events: The EVBA holds dine and donate events that are open to the public - throughout the year at local restaurants. A percentage of sales generated at that business on a specific date are donated to Eastern Marching Vikings.

Dinkles:  The black soft-soled marching shoes that your child will wear for marching band performances.  Designed to facilitate marching footwork.

Dot Sheets – printed sheets that show students where to march during each song 

Drill – the steps and positions that make up the Marching Band/Indoor Drumline/Indoor Guard show.  Drill is the actual choreography of the show.  It involves development of the patterns in which each member will march while performing the show music.  The drill is written with each member represented by a specific dot (See Dot Sheets).  If a member is not available for a show, it creates a hole where the dot is and affects the visual aspect of the performance. Each dot is essential to each performance!

Drum Major – student leader of the outdoor marching band who conducts, helps run practices, and represents the band at school and competitions. The color guard is led by the guard captain and assistant. 

Drumline –  All percussion instruments.  It has two components.  The battery consists of the kids who actually march, with various types of drums strapped to them.  The Front line is set up on the sidelines and its members do not march, but rather play non-marching instruments such as Marimbas, Chimes, and Vibes. (See Pit)

DUT. DUT. DUT - A phrase used by marching band drummers to signal the last measure of resting before the line starts playing. When you hear that phrase, then the magic begins...

8 to 5 - Steps are measured in traditional marching band step size, which is 8-to-5, essentially a 22.5-inch stride. This means that 8 steps are taken for every 5 yards. With enough practice, an 8-to-5 step can be “memorized” by the body. 

EVBA (Eastern Vikings Band Aides) - The group of parents/families/alumni who volunteer to help with the logistics of competition season and other activities.  The EVBA is lead by a Board of Directors who work directly the with Band Director and staff in support of the band programs.  Lots of fundraising, planning, rushing around, making friends, hanging with your kids, making lists (and checking them twice), etc.  (See Band Parents, Field Crew, Volunteer Opportunities.)

Fees and Fundraising: There are specific/separate fees to participate in outdoor marching band and the indoor programs.  These fees help pay expenses associated with band. Sponsorship letters and account fundraising are both way to reduce the out of pocket expense. NO STUDENT WILL BE TURNED AWAY FOR FINANCIAL REASONS! If you have trouble paying band dues, we will help you make other arrangements. Fundraisers are also a part of meeting band expenses. Parents/guardians will be asked to help with fundraising. 

Field/Pit Crew:  This is a group of dedicated parents (See Volunteer Opportunities) who assist with the transport/assembly of the equipment, props, drum major tower and assist students with the transport of pit instruments onto the field just before performances at competitions and football home games, then removed afterwards. These parents end up with skills that could allow them to mobilize an entire army on a moment’s notice. Also, this is an activity that builds muscle – and camaraderie.  Not to mention the fact that this activity is a timed portion of the competition, and can impact the overall scoring of the band's performance.  Everyone starts the season with veteran volunteers, who provide instructions and support on how to best get this important job done.

Flags – flags (also called silks) used by the Guard during a performance, designed each year to fit theme.

Football Fridays:  Specific Fridays on which the Eastern Marching Vikings High School has a home football game that (from our perspective) is conveniently fit in around the band’s halftime performance.  All or part of the show is performed either at halftime or sometimes after the game.  During games students sit together and play “pep music” to keep the fans engaged and the football team fired up.

Group - Bands are placed in competition groups (as defined by the Tournament of Bands).  In outdoor competitions, the marching bands are grouped according to the size of the band. For indoor competitions, the groups are defined by level of experience and skill.

Guard – a group of students who add visual interest and dramatics to marching-band performances through dance, flags, weapons and other props.  Students say: "In order to do well as an individual, the group has to do well. If you don’t work together, you won’t spin in time together, and you’ll just end up looking like a mess. Being in a color guard teaches you how to support each other, how to be disciplined and build confidence to try something new. Our members can often be found outside of the band room twirling and spinning anything that is not nailed down."

Guard Uniform - outfit and accessories designed each year to reflect band theme.  Guard members are expected to care for their uniform during performance season.  (See Bagging Uniforms.)

Home Shows (aka Home Comps) – Competitions held at Eastern Regional High School.  The EVBA oversees the non-performance elements of this outdoor event (during fall marching band season) and the indoor event (during winter/spring season). From directing parking to welcoming the participating schools/groups, to running the concessions stand, air grams, candy grams, bake sale and other money-making activities at the event.  Lots and lots and lots of planning and volunteers are required to make the Home Shows a successful and appealing event for the competitors and spectators.

Jazz run: Utilized primarily by the color guard, the jazz run is used as a way to move greater distances while still maintaining upper body posture.  

Leadership:  The students responsible for all (Drum Major) or parts (Captains; Section Leaders) of the band and guard.  There may also be positions involving activities such as communications and logistics.  The role of all the parent volunteers is to support the band leadership and make them successful by handling the logistics while they handle the music.

Percussion Sections: Pit and battery/drumline sections described together.  "The Marching Vikings percussion sections are the heartbeat of the band.  We are upbeat, quirky and definitely march to the sound of our own drums!"

Pit: Marching Band percussion section that does not march (plays on the sidelines), comprised of instruments such as tympani, xylophones, gongs, etc. 

Plumes: The very fragile feathers on the Marching Band uniform hats (See Shako). Provided by the band. 

Podium: This is the large folding platform that the drum major stand on to conduct the band.  It is stored in the shed near the tennis courts.  The Field/Pit Crew assist with the assembly and transport onto the field during competitions and football home games.

Props: used to add visual interest to the show; volunteers are needed to help build show props each year.  (See Field/Pit Crew). 

Regionals: competition for a region championship.  Eastern Marching Vikings are members of Region 1, South Jersey.  (See Tournament of Bands).

Rifles: fake rifles the Guard uses in a Marching Band show. (They’re heavy!)

Roll Step: This is a form of movement used by marching bands to minimize upper body movement and is part of the marching fundamentals that are taught to the band members. This standardized style of marching also serves to add to the visual effect of a marching band moving in an uniform motion. 

Run-through: practicing the Marching Band show from beginning to end without stopping. 

Sabers: fake swords the Guard uses in a Marching Band show. 

Section Leader: band student who is in charge of a Marching Band instrument section; such as “woodwinds section leader.” 

Sections/Sectionals: The band is made up of sections by instrument. The day to day direction for most band activities will come from the section leaders and the kids will frequently warm-up or rehearse with their just section (Sectionals). When a kid is unsure about anything, the first call or text should always be to their section leadership.

Sense of Accomplishment:  What students will feel after the marching band season when they realized how much they have learned and how hard they have worked. What parents will feel when watching the band improve from performance to performance and knowing that their hard work helped make that improvement possible.  Also occurs when a given student remembers his/her black socks without being reminded.

Set a movement of the show:  If a movement is set, it means that the students have learned the marching moves (See Drill) and the music for that particular movement and are able to march it with few difficulties, other than the occasional missed turn that results in a collision.  When the whole show is set, it means the students have learned everything they need to know to perform the entirety of that year’s show.

Shako: Marching Band uniform hat. 

Show:  This is the performance piece that the band starts learning at away camp and performs and refines throughout the marching season.  Each year’s show has a specific name and a specific theme, with music and choreography chosen to reflect that theme.

Show shirt:  Each student gets a T-shirt each year with the show name, the year, and related artwork on it. These are worn underneath uniforms to soak up the sweat, to show pride, and to help parents keep track of students after performances.  Most parents elect to order extras, since they seem to never to be clean when the kid needs them.

Snacks:  What parents will be providing for the snack bins throughout the year.  And they are needed in huge quantities!  Just for the week of band camp, if you multiply three snacks per day by the number of band members, the snack requirements are staggering.  An essential (and frequent) activity that allows the band to keep working throughout the afternoon/day.   

Stadium Seats:  Folding seats (with backs) that can be purchased at a sporting goods store and then brought to games or competitions  and attached to the bleachers to allow middle-aged parents to sit for long periods of time without needing physical help to exit the stands at the end of the event.  Highly recommended.

State Jackets: when the Marching Vikings win their state championship for that year, then Eastern High School provides each member with the Varsity jacket (usually in February) and the patch commemorating that state championship event.  If a member already has the varsity jacket, then they are given just the commemorative patch.  Be prepared for your child to be fiercely protective and proud of their jacket - wearing it everywhere and at all times.

States: Competition for state championship with the Tournament of Bands.

Student Car Wash: The student members of Eastern Marching Vikings run this fun event - get your car cleaned while supporting the EMV!

Sunscreen/Bug spray:  Substances that students will try to avoid but which parent volunteers remind them to apply, as they make band camp and outdoor practices (and the days after practices) much less painful. We will ask parents to donate these during the season as needed.

Time commitment: while it might seem from the written schedule that the time commitment is very intense, we promise you it is worth it. This group of students will bond with each other, work hard toward a goal, and be so proud of their accomplishments and the lifetime of memories that they (and you) will create.

TOB/TIA: Tournament of Bands (TOB) provides an opportunity for competitive and exhibition marching bands to perform throughout our nine-state region from September through November.  Tournament Indoor Association (TIA) provides contests for indoor performing ensembles including dance, guard, jazz bands, marching winds, percussion, and twirlers from January through May. 

Unloading the Truck:  This must be done when the band returns from competitions and parades.  All instruments, uniforms and other band gear must be taken off the truck that is driven to events. No student is to go home until the truck is unloaded and all equipment is returned to its proper place. They will be dismissed by their section leader or the drum major. Lugging the heavy pit equipment can make for wonderfully sculpted biceps if you do it enough.

Volunteer opportunities:  This is your chance to say “I’m with the band.”  Countless opportunities exist and come in all different shapes and sizes.  Without parent volunteers the band wouldn’t be able to function.  You can help with the Friday Night dinners. You can donate water and snacks for the band.  You can help at the Home Shows, and at competitions (See Field/Pit Crew).  You can contribute food to special events or for football games. All of these opportunities allow you to see how hard your child works, to get to know other parents, and to make your own friends while also offering an invaluable contribution. 

Weather: Safety is always first - and many of the instruments can be damaged if they get too wet. Announcements about weather cancellations of rehearsals, competitions, football (we may not be able to play, even though they continue the game), parades and other events will be made in the BAND App. 

Woodwind Section: clarinets, saxophones, flutes, piccolos. Students say: "The Marching Vikings woodwinds is the friendliest section in the entire ensemble. All of us try to help each other in any way we can, because we realize that when each of us is good, the Marching Vikings is great!"