2059 State Highway 197 South Connie Franklin, HNGA Principal

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1 Habersham Central High School Jonathan Stribling, HCHS Principal 2059 State Highway 197 South Connie Franklin, HNGA Principal Mount Airy, GA Ryan Dukes, Director of Bands

2 This Visual Handbook will serve as a basic guide that addresses a majority of basic issues in Marching and Maneuvering. Our main goals through utilization of this Handbook are as follows, and in this hierarchy of importance... To create a physical environment that maximizes the members ability to play their respective musical instruments with ease. To enhance the appearance and overall presence of the individuals within the Band, and create visual uniformity. To increase our awareness and comprehension of body movement through utilization of the art form of dance, as well as other innovative expressive elements. Although these techniques are intended for all marching members, much of it is directed toward the woodwind and brass players. Hence, some techniques will be unsuitable for guard or percussion. These individual sections will make all necessary modifications as needed. Many of these techniques may be redefined according to the demands of our show. 2

3 Glossary of Terms o Lateral- side to side or end zone to end zone o Vertical- sideline to sideline o Interval- the space between individuals who are facing the same or similar directions in a lateral line or curve o Distance- that space between individuals in a file or curved form (follow-the-leader style) o Company Front- 90% or more of an element in a lateral line o Flank- a change to a new direction executed in one count o Turn- a change of direction executed in two or more counts o Slide- body movement in one direction as the instrument or equipment remains facing in another o Concert Side- the area where the primary audience is seated (South) o Back Side- the area opposite concert slide (North) o Inboard- a tern used to describe a direction from anywhere on the field laterally toward the 50-yard line o Outboard- is used to describe a direction from anywhere on the field laterally toward the nearest end zone o Asymmetrical- cannot be divided into similar halves on a longitudinal basis o Dress- alignment from side to side (interval) or front to back (distance) o Coordinates- exact positions on the grid (field or drill sheet) determined by utilizing yard lines, sidelines, and hash marks o Oblique (Diagonals)- 45-degree angled lines o Elements- the different units that make up a form (ex: guard, percussion, winds, etc.) o Segment- a portion of the overall form o Arc- a part of any curvilinear shape o Uniformity- the sameness of dress, style, or movement o Coordination- the organization or creative thought to produce a similar message or effect o Integration- the placement of elements in a mixed fashion o Staging- placement of elements within a form o Complexity- the inter-related involvement and intricacy of elements and components within a production o Transition- a description of movement from form to form o Continuity- the logical and orderly sequence of maneuvers and the compatibility of all details necessary to ensure a smooth, entertaining program. The weaving of all ideas, visual and audio, to achieve the maximum effective entertainment o Symmetry- one side of a form is mirrored by the other o Clutter- design elements interfere visually with each other o Readability- the clarity of a design o Platform- ball or flat part of the foot used for balance on backward march maneuvers 3

4 Posture The most fundamental aspect of a good marching band is correct posture. This position of the body enhances the appearance and overall presence of the individual and the ensemble. To achieve this look, each individual should occupy as much space as possible to appear larger than life to the audience. The body should form a straight line perpendicular to the ground. Lower Body Feet - Heels are together - Toes are pointed out at a 45º angle - Weight of body should be centered Legs o - Slightly bent o - Avoid locking the knees Bottom o - Firm to give upper body support and smooth marching style Upper Body o - Should feel a lift from the sternum Rib Cage o - Lifted off the lungs for better breathing and visual performance Abdominals o - Engaged to support upper body Shoulders - Up, back, down o - Should be relaxed Head o - Chin up at a 10º angle (approximately) o - Look confident Ready Front - This is the position called prior to attention position - It is not called in rhythm - Feet shoulder width apart - Hands in front of body, cupped right over left (if no instrument) - Should be a relaxed position, but uniform and still - Head remains at attention position Set - Used in rehearsals instead of calling the band to attention - Fall in at attention with your horn in the proper position - Talking and moving should be avoided while at attention 4

5 Form Check - Used in rehearsals to help set and dress each move - Once you have dressed you set, fall into attention Call To Attention( Detail Ten Hut move) - One snappy, aggressive move to correct posture (No rest between hut and the move) - When not carrying an instrument, the hands should be closed and relaxed at the side in a fixed position with the thumb and first finger along the seams of the pants - Refrain from talking or moving while at attention Horns Up/Down( Band Horns Up/Down move) - One count move from carrying position to playing position as quickly as possible - No rest between up/down and the move - Horns or chins at a 10º angle (different instruments may vary) - If not holding a horn, fists should be closed and locked in front of the face, right over left with fingers towards the sky, thumbs towards the face Marching The Band of Blue always steps off with the LEFT foot, unless otherwise instructed by the staff. All marching will be done from the attention position. All commands not given from a halt will be called on the left foot. Mark Time( Mark Time Mark rest and move) o - There is a rest between Mark and the move. o - On count one, left foot collapses the angle o - On count two, right foot closes the angle making the feet o parallel with each other (To avoid pivoting, slightly raise o heels to close the angle) o - Alternate lifting each heel to 2 above the ground while o leaving the toes in place o - Upper body should remain stable and still o Most of the time, the left heel hits the ground on counts 1 and o 3 while the right heel hits the ground on counts 2 and 4 Halt( Band rest Halt plant and close) - On count 4 (plant), place the right foot to form the right half of the 45º angle for the attention position. - On the last count (close), bring the left heel to the right and form the other half of the 45º angle for the attention position. - Avoid rolling into halt. - This movement is the same whether coming from a halt or marching. 5

6 Forward March( Forward rest March rest and move) - Push off with the platform of the right foot to propel your weight forward. - Push the left foot s heel straight out with the toes flexed back as high as possible. - Roll down through the center of the foot and through the toes. - Feet should remain parallel when marching (as though on skis). - Refrain from aligning the feet in front of each other or allowing the toes to point outwards. Backward March( Backward rest March rest and move) - Backwards marching is done on the platforms of your feet - Avoid letting your heels touch the ground. - Push off with the right foot to propel your weight backward. - Pull with the back of the leading (left) leg as you pass through the count to prepare for the next step. - Toes should stay as close to the ground as possible without dragging. - Keep the upper body stiff and perpendicular with the ground. - Legs should remain straight. Flanks( Right/Left Flank March rest and move) - This is a two-count move (rest between March and the move) - The entire body will face the direction of marching. - On Rest, place the right foot at a 45º angle toward the new direction of marching. - Avoid pivoting. - On count one of the new direction, your upper body should be facing the new direction of marching. Slides( Right/Left Slide March rest and Move) o - This is a two-count move (rest between March and the o move). o - Feet perform the same as flank o - Upper body remains facing forward while the lower body o faces the side to march o - Rotate the torso 45º at the hips and 45º in the shoulders to keep o the shoulders parallel to the sideline. 6

7 Touch and Go Refers to immediate directional change of slides and forward to backward (or vice versa) moves. There is no vocal command for this particular maneuver, but it is used after a command to change directions. For instance, if you are marching forward, and there is a command for backward marching, you will use the Touch and Go maneuver. Also, be wise in your drill if you need to change directions, use this procedure. On count 7, the left foot should be planted so that the weight of your body is primarily on that foot. On count 8, the right foot should point towards the ground as if you were taking the next step. The right toe is mainly used for balance and support. The next count (count 1) the left foot rearticulates the direction change. On the following count (count 2), the right foot moves in the new direction aggressively. The right toe, on count 8, is pointed towards the ground. Weight is on left foot while the right toe is used to propel the body in the new direction. The next count is a dead count where the body does not move. The right foot moves in the new direction on the next count aggressively. For instance, if the counts were ( ), your movements would be as follows: (left right left right - platform right foot - continue right foot in the new direction) Your Dot or Coordinate A dot is an absolute position on the field. It contains X and Y coordinate values. These values are measured in 8 to 5 steps (8 steps in 5 yards 22.5 /step) from common points on the field such as yard lines, sidelines, and hashes. The number of steps from a given landmark can be divided into fractions as small as 1/4 of a step (ex. 4.5 outside front hash, 3.25 outside 35 yard line, side A). To use these coordinates, remember that inside always means towards the center and outside always means away from the center. If your coordinate reads 8 outside 35, that means go towards the goal posts. Front to back positions are use the terms in front of or behind. It is important to remember that your dot is just a reference and that great marching does not require one to nail his or her dot. The most important thing is to stay in the form. Stay between your friends is an excellent reminder. The football field is divided into two halves, sides A and B. The A side of the field is located to the left when viewed from the home stands (behind the drum major podium) while the B is located on the right. For each coordinate outside the yard-line indicates a move away from the 50-yard line, while a coordinate denoting inside refers to going toward the 50-yard line. For coordinate instructions referring to inside a hash, march from the hash inward toward the middle of the field. For outside of the hash directions march toward the sideline. To find set #26 you would first locate the 40-yard line on the A side of the field. Then using the 8x5 step size take 2 steps toward the 50-yard line. Then continue by marching 3, 8x5 steps toward the visitor sideline or back of the field. To find set #27 locate the 50-yard line (if a coordinate calls for you to be on a yard line, disregard how many steps off) and visitor hash. 7

8 Once you have located your coordinate assume the attention position with your feet at a 45-degree angle facing the front of the field. Drum Major and Field Conductors The drum majors will always be conducting time for reference The drum major will always give 2 beats prep on beats 1 and 3, then a full measure of 4/4, regardless of the time signature of the piece. Not all count offs are auditory; watch the drum major for a visual count off. The drum majors conduct in an arrow pattern, where all the beats are at the same point on the ictus Basic Arrow Patterns 8

9 Command Calling Patterns Call to Attention Detail Ten Hut Move Horns Up/Down Band Horns Up/Down Move Mark Time Mark Time Mark rest-and Move Turn Commands 4/8/12/16 Count Turn to the Right/Left rest-and Move Halt Command Band rest Halt plant-and Close Forward/Backward March Forward/Backward rest March rest-and Move Flanks/Slides Left/Right Flank/Slide March rest-and Move Dress Commands Dress Left/Center/Right Dress Move Ready Front Ready Front Move Set Set Form Check Form Check Adjust Adjust ETIQUETTE It is not our goal to run a boot camp atmosphere with the Band of Blue Organization. However, considering the fact that we have a very tight schedule, and when dealing with members on the field, there has to be a strict sense of organization to avoid wasting time and undue lack of concentration. 9

10 INSTRUCTION - It is essential that the majority (99%) of talking come from and be limited to the Instructional Staff only. - Corrections and Instructions will come from the top of the stands first. Typically this is limited to Music (Winds/Percussion), Visual (Marching), and Guard Caption Heads. - Additional instruction will come from the Field Technicians after the Caption Heads have given Corrections and Instruction. - We encourage questions, but be smart about what you ask, and when you are asking it. If we are having an intense and fast paced rehearsal it may not be the best time to slow the pace of rehearsal to ask your question. - It is not the role of Band Members to instruct fellow Band Members. That is what we have Instructional Staff for. Have confidence that they will address the issue. If a certain issue is not being addressed and it is crucial, raise your hand and a Technician will accommodate you to the best of their ability at the given time. - DO NOT EVER QUESTION OR SECOND GUESS THE INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF. If you have an issue, voice it after the rehearsal is over. Do not let it affect your attitude or performance quality during the rehearsal. ON THE FIELD - Unless you are told otherwise, we will end all movement with the feet apart in the first move of the next set (plus one). This will ensure a proper check of the change of direction technique. - You will hold this position until the Caption Head or other Instructional Staff running rehearsal says to Form Check, Adjust, or Set. - Whenever Form Check is called, it is your responsibility to look both directions in any given form, with your horn in performance position to make corrections. Do not move you feet. - Whenever Adjust is called, it is your responsibility to move out of your set and make the necessary adjustments to correct the form that you are in. Your feet will then move to your exact coordinate, and your horn will rest is Rest position. - Whenever Set is called, the horn will be engaged in performance position, and you will be ready to begin motion into the next sequence of sets with your feet apart in the last count of the previous move. - Move quickly from set to set. Please do not walk or meander aimlessly, it wastes an incredible amount of time. - Have your drill charts/coordinates with you at all times. - When you are given a break, take it. Always have your water with you, and drink it as often as possible. Do not play your instrument during the scheduled breaks. - Be on time. If you are late and do not have a good excuse, you are negatively impacting The Band of Blue, as a whole and endangering your tenure in our organization. Do not be late. Early is on time. On time is late. 10