The Unofficial Band Dictionary

AIR: The key to a good sound in wind instruments, but woodwinds generally have a lack of, resulting in squeaks.

ATTENTION: Standing absolutely still. Can be used as a form of punishment or sometimes used by band directors and section leaders as a form of entertainment.

BAND CAMP:A time where the band gets together and supposedly brush up on marching techniques for about a week. Usually resulting in large amounts of Pepsi being consumed.

BAND GEEK : Someone who is very, very involved in music and band. Is also willing to give up all free time and any sort of life they had.

BRAIN FART: A mistake (missing a set, forgetting music, Bo-Peeping, dropping a baton, etc...)

BUS: A place where the whole band gets very close (literally!!) while traveling somewhere. Good time to sleep or get to know 2 or 3 of your seatmates.

CADENCE: A short song that the band learns to play very well. Played often to make the band seem good.

SECTION LEADER:The leader of a section (flutes, trumpets, low brass, etc...). Tries to keep their section out of trouble to make themselves look good.

CARDS: 52 thick rectangular pieces of paper that have the same length and width, decorated with symbols, colors, and numbers that keeps the band continually amused.

MAJORETTES: A group of gifted people who twirl and toss batons to distract attention away from the band. Commended when they "accidentally" hit a band member..

COMPETITION: A gathering of many groups of band geeks to prove that one is better than the others.

DRILL: A book to show what the show is "supposed" to look like.

DRUM MAJORS: The leaders of the marching band. Can be really mean when they want to be, considering they are in charge of the whole band. USUALLY TALKS LIKE THIS, BEING USED TO YELLING!!

DRUMS: Loud, obnoxious instruments that have the power and ability to throw the whole band off. Happens often.

EGO: The fuel for the trumpet line. Never ending supply.

EUPHONIUM: A what? A fancy name for the baritone. (Warning: Baritone players can get very anal if you don't use the correct term...)

FOOTBALL TEAM: Usually the reason why the band cannot practice on the field.

FORMER BAND GEEK: A person who was in band, graduated, and returns to watch the present band for fun. Sometimes bearing the gift of food.

LOW BRASS: The band's endless supply of complaints.

MARCHING SHOES: Horribly ugly, inexpensive, yet pretty comfortable footwear for the band. Usually has a thick heel with a cut-off triangle to attempt to "aid" in roll stepping.

BATON: A piece of metal designed to injure anyone within a 30-foot radius of the toss-ee. Can be really cool looking if everyone catches one at the same time. Usually doesn't happen.

ROLL-STEP: A horrible, precise way to walk/march during marching season. One may roll-step for at least a month after the season ends.

TROMBONE: Usually the instrument that a band generally lacks. If a new freshman trombone joins the band, he/she is usually treated like royalty for about 7.386 seconds, where as the rest of the instruments get about 3.294 seconds of royalty.

TRUMPET: A small LOUD instrument that can get generally obnoxious. The players are usually very arrogant, egotistical, and think that they know everything.

TUBA: The only marching instrument I feel sorry for. (C'mon, have you tried even WALKING around with one of those?!?)

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