Marching band

A marching band is a group in which instrumental musicians perform while

marching, often for entertainment or competition. Instrumentation typically includes
brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Most marching bands wear a uniform,
often of a military style, that includes an associated school or organization's colors,
name or symbol. Most high school marching bands, and some college marching
bands, are accompanied by a color guard, a group of performers who add a visual
interpretation to the music through the use of props, most often flags, rifles, and
sabres. Goin' Band from Raiderland, a
college marching band in the United
Marching bands are generally categorized by function, size, age, gender,
States
instrumentation, marching style, and type of show they perform. In addition to
traditional parade performances, many marching bands also perform field shows at
sporting events and at marching band competitions. Increasingly, marching bands perform indoor concerts that implement many
songs, traditions, and flair from outside performances.

Contents
History
Styles
Military Style
Corps Style
Traditional Style
Carnival Bands
Scramble Bands

Instrumentation
Auxiliaries
Personnel
Performance elements
Music
Marching Technique
High step
Glide step
Marking time
Lateral marching
Changing direction
Backward marching
Staying in step
Parade marching
Street performances
Field marching
Fundamental commands and drill down
Delay
Uniforms
Rehearsals
Band Camp
American football games
 Competition
Spring competitions
Summer competitions
Fall competitions
The Sudler Trophy and Sudler Shield
Marching bands outside the U.S.
Canada
China, Republic of
Ghana
Malaysia
Russia
United Kingdom
Northern Ireland

See also
References

History
Percussion and wind instruments were used on the battlefield sinceancient times. An
Iron Age example would be the carnyx. The development of the military band from
such predecessors was a gradual development of the medieval and early modern
period. A prototype of the Ottoman military band may be mentioned in the 11th-
century Divânu Lügati't-Türk.[1] The European tradition of military bands formed in
the Baroque period, partly influenced by the Ottoman tradition.[2][3][4] 17th-century
traveler Evliya Çelebi noted the existence of 40 guilds of musicians in Istanbul.[5] In
the 18th century, each regiment in the British Army maintained its own military
The first marching band formation, band. Until 1749 bandsmen were civilians hired at the expense of the colonel
the Purdue All-American Marching commanding a regiment. Subsequently, they became regular enlisted men[6] who
Band "P Block" accompanied the unit on active service to provide morale enhancing music on the
battlefield or, from the late nineteenth century on, to act as stretcher bearers.
Instruments during the 18th century included fifes, drums, the oboe (hautbois),
French horn, clarinet and bassoon. Drummers summoned men from their farms and ranches to muster for duty. In the chaotic
environment of the battlefield, musical instruments were the only means of commanding the men to advance, stand or retire. In the
mid 19th century each smaller unit had their own fifer and drummer, who sounded the daily routine. When units massed for battle a
band of musicians was formed for the whole.[7]

In the United States, modern marching bands are most commonly associated with performing during American football games. The
oldest American college marching band, the University of Notre Dame Band of the Fighting Irish, was founded in 1845 and first
performed at a football game in 1887.[8] Many American universities had marching bands prior to the twentieth century, which were
typically associated with military ROTC programs. In 1907, breaking from traditional rank and file marching, the first pictorial
formation on a football field was the "Block P" created by Paul Spotts Emrick, director of the Purdue All-American Marching Band.
Spotts had seen a flock of birds fly in a "V" formation and decided that a band could replicate the action in the form of show
formations on a field.[9] The first halftime show at an American football game was performed by the University of Illinois Marching
Illini, also in 1907, at a game against theUniversity of Chicago.[10]

Appearing at roughly the same time as the field show and pictorial marching formations at universities was the fight song, which
today are often closely associated with a university's band. The first university fight song, For Boston, was created at Boston
University. Many more recognizable and popular university fight songs are borrowed and played by high schools across the United
States. Four such fight songs commonly used by high schools are the University of Michigan's The Victors, the University of Illinois'
Illinois Loyalty, the University of Notre Dame's Victory March, and the United
States Naval Academy's Anchors Aweigh. During the 20th century, many marching
bands added further pageantry elements, including baton twirlers, majorettes, dance
lines, and color guard.

After World War I, the presence and quality of marching bands in the American
public school system expanded as military veterans with service band experience
began to accept music teaching positions within schools across the country,
eventually bringing wind music and marching band into both educational curriculum
The University of Detroit Band
and school culture. With high school programs on the rise, marching bands started to
performing at Dinan Field in the
become competitive organizations, with the first national contest being held in 1923 1920s.
in Chicago, Illinois. State and national contests became common, often featuring
parades and mass-band concerts featuring all participating groups. By 1938,
competitive band programs had become numerous and widespread, making a
national contest too large to manage and leading to multiple state and regional
contests in its place. Today, state contests continue to be the primary form of
marching band competition in the United States.[11]

Since the inception of Drum Corps Internationalin the 1970s, many marching bands
that perform field shows have adopted changes to the activity that parallel
developments with modern drum and bugle corps. These bands are said to be corps-
style bands. Areas where changes have been adopted from drum corps include:
The Marching Illini, the first band to
Marching: instead of a traditional high step, drum corps tend to march perform a halftime show at an
with a fluid glide step, also known as a roll step, to keep musicians' American football game
torsos completely still.
Auxiliaries: adaptation of theflag, rifle, baton and sabre units into
auxiliaries, who march with the band and provide visual flair by spinning and tossing flags or mock weapons and
using dance in the performance.
Percussion: moving marching timpani and keyboard percussion into a stationary sideline percussion section, orpit",
"
which has since incorporated many different types of percussion instruments such as: tambourines, crash cymbals,
suspended cymbals, bass drum and gong sets, chimes, EWI's (electronic woodwind instrument), and most
keyboards.
Competitions: marching band competitions are judged using criteria similar to criteria used in drum corps
competitions, with emphasis on individual aspects of the band (captions for music performance, visual performance,
percussion, guard (auxiliary), and general ef fect are standard).

Styles
Marching bands are categorized by style based on primary function, instrumentation, and technique, although many organizations
may fill multiple roles.

Military Style
Military bands or corps of drums were historically the first marching bands. Instrumentation in these bands varies but generally
consists of brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Due to their original purpose, military marching bands typically march in a forward
direction with consistent straight lines. Music is performed at a constant tempo (120–140 BPM) to facilitate the steady marching of
the entire military group the band is playing with. The marching step size, or interval, is consistent, and usually at a 6 to 5 (six steps
per five yards) or 8 to 5 (eight steps to five yards). This style includes field music units such as drum and bugle corps or bugle bands,
pipe bands, and fife and drum corps.

Active duty military marching bands often perform in parades with other military units and march in the same manner as other
military personnel. Due to a lack of appreciation, competition venues, and military personnel, almost all military marching bands
have disappeared from schools in the United States, with exceptions including the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band from Texas A&M
University, the Highty-Tighties of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, and the Cadets
of Norwich University Military College of Vermont. There is also a pocket of about
80 high school military-style marching bands in Eastern eTxas.

Unlike in the United States, military style marching bands have a strong presence in
Latin American countries, especially those that have strong military traditions, most
importantly of Prussian, French, Spanish and Portuguese origins. Such bands are
found in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and Peru. But in
Ecuador and Venezuela, corps of drums is the main military style band for schools. Texas A&M's "aTm" formation during
Military style corps of drums are also seen in schools, colleges, and universities in halftime

Mexico and in Mexican schools in the US merely using only the snare drum and the
bugle (in some schools the instrumentation can be larger). These bands also are
present in Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama, while military style bands are in service in Commonwealth and ex-French
nations in the Caribbean and in Belize and Guayana, given British and French influences.

The United Kingdom keeps the military style tradition with many civil and youth bands in all of the UK keeping the military band
traditions of the country, either as marching wind bands, Corps of Drums, bugle bands, pipe bands, and in Northern Ireland, fife and
drum bands. Examples would be the Royal British Legion bands, and the bands of the various UK youth uniformed organizations.
Styled on the UK military tradition, Fiji's Military Forces also have a marching band[12] and the military band traditions of the
Commonwealth of Nations, by extension, reached almost every country of it with military, school, civil and schools bands styled on
the traditions of the British Armed Forces and the armed services of Commonwealth countries which were trained by British military
personnel. Such bands are in service, for example, in India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Bangladesh, Kenya,
Nigeria and South Africa.

Military style marching bands are also commonplace in Germany, Austria, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, Italy, Spain,
Portugal and France. German and French military style band types can even extend to Corps of Drums and fanfare bands staffed full-
time by civilian musicians (in Germany also to shawm ensembles (called locally as Schalmeienkapelle), especially in parts of the
former East Germany), and even to the Bagad bands in Brittany and outside France made up of bagpipers. Spanish band traditions
include military style brass bands, marching bands (using brass, woodwinds and percussion) and bugle bands and the Asturias
region's unique pipe bands. Military style bands have, in the Netherlands and Belgium, gave birth to yet another type of marching
band, the fanfare orchestra, which is like a brass band but with differences in instrumentation. The Netherlands also has a strong
corps of drums tradition present with several civil corps plus few military brass bands presently active, plus veterans bands made up
of retired musicians and reservists.

Corps Style
Corps Style bands directly reflect the trends seen in modern drum and bugle corps of
Drum Corps International (DCI). Unlike the military band style, drum corps style
step sizes are constantly changing to accommodate the differing forms the band is
creating on the field. Forms may be linear, curvilinear, or scatter. Music selections
can include anything from symphonic music, film scores, to world music, jazz, rock,
or pop music.

Unlike a military band's use of baton twirlers, Corps Style bands may include a
"color guard" that spin flags, rifles, sabres—and may also incorporate dance. Other
West Chester University Golden
visual elements unique to the corps style is the usage of props, backdrops, and even
Rams Marching Band
costuming – with the purpose of adding more theatrical elements to the show
.

Other elements unique to the Corps Style bands are the incorporation of the front
ensemble. This includes the usage of keyboard percussion such as: xylophone, marimba, and bells; and/or any other color percussion
instruments such as: timpani, cymbals, conga, tambourine, triangle, drum set, etc. The front ensemble may also use sound
amplification or electronic instruments such as synthesizers.

The corps style constantly evolves, with contributions from college bands, high
school bands, and drum and bugle corps throughout the United States. Typically,
corps style bands gear their performances for marching competitions and marching
festivals. Competitions featuring the corps style on the national level include: Drum
Corps International, Winter Guard International, and Bands Of America.
Competitive high school marching band is modeled after the corps style band.

Corps style is a competitive style, judged in several "captions" that include Visual The Muncie Southside High School
Analysis, Visual Proficiency, Color Guard, Music Analysis, Brass, Percussion, and Spirit of South Marching Band
General Effect.[13] performs at the Preliminary contest at
the Indiana State Fair Band Day
Competition in 2010.
Traditional Style
Traditional Style bands, also known as Show Bands, are marching bands geared
primarily towards crowd entertainment and perform on football fields. Typically, they perform a routine before the game, another at
halftime, and sometimes after the game as well. Competitive show bands perform only one show that is continually refined
throughout a season, while bands that focus on entertainment rather than competition usually perform a unique show for each game.
These shows normally consists of three to five musical pieces accompanied by formations rooted in origin from Patterns in Motion, a
book penned by band director William C. "Bill" Moffit, bandmaster of Purdue University All-American Marching Band and
University of HoustonSpirit of Houston.

A recognizable style of show band is the one fielded by historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). HBCU bands utilize
the traditional "ankle-knee" high step and music selections are largely based on R&B, hip-hop, and contemporary popular music. In
addition to traditional drill formations, HBCU bands feature heavily choreographed dance routines as part of their performances.
Many of these bands may have a twirler line and/or a dancer line, but not necessarily flag twirlers. One of the most notable depictions
of HBCU bands is the 2002 filmDrumline. The history of African-American marching bands was explored through a 2018 exhibition
called "Marching On: The Politics of Performance" in New York City.[14] HBCU bands are a significant part of African-American
musical culture and HBCU bands often surpass their associated football teams in popularity, a phenomenon that is uncommon among
collegiate and high school marching bands. In 1989, as part of the celebrations for the bicentennial of the French Revolution, the
Florida A&M University Marching 100, one of the most prolific HBCU bands in the country, was selected as the official
representative of the United States in the bicentennial parade.

Another style of show band is that used by many of the Big Ten Conference marching bands, a semi-military and semi-corps style.
These bands perform a show that is designed to entertain the audience, but feature more traditional symphonic styles of music
(marches, film scores, jazz, or older pop music) as well as some contemporary music. Big Ten style show bands have been influential
in creating some of the earliest marching band innovations, and the style is used in high schools throughout much of the United
States.[15]

Most show bands of either type include the traditional military band instrumentation of woodwinds, brass, and battery percussion.
Some also include the front ensemble keyboard percussion, and may also incorporate the use of a color guard for flag, and rifle
routines as well as a dance line.

Carnival Bands
Carnival bands are a United Kingdom variant of show bands. Carnival bands typically march in time to the music, and may also
participate in parades and competitions.. They contain brass and percussion, but may or may not use woodwinds.[16] In The United
States, specifically in California, carnival bands (known as Parade bands in the states) perform regularly in parades and parade
competitions. These US bands are also modeled on the country's military band tradition.
Scramble Bands
Scramble bands (also referred to as 'Scatter' bands) are a variation on show bands.
They generally do not march in time with the music, but, as their name implies,
scramble from design to design and often incorporate comedic elements into their
performances. Most of the bands in the Ivy League use this style, excepting only
Cornell University.[17][18]

Instrumentation The Derby Midshipmen Band, a

carnival band in the United Kingdom
The size and composition of a marching band can vary greatly. Some bands have
fewer than twenty members, and some have over 500. American marching bands
vary considerably in their instrumentation. Some bands omit some or all woodwinds, but it is not uncommon to see piccolos, flutes,
soprano clarinets, alto saxophones, and tenor saxophones (woodwinds are not used in corps style marching). E ♭ clarinets, alto
clarinets, bass clarinets, and baritone saxophones are less common, but can be found in some bands. Bassoons and oboes are very
seldom found on a field due to the risk of incidental damage, the impracticality of marching with an exposed double reed, and high
sensitivity to weather.

The brass section usually includes trumpets or cornets; French horns, alto horns, or mellophones; tenor trombones; baritone horns or
euphoniums; and tubas or sousaphones. E♭soprano cornets are sometimes used to supplement or replace the high woodwinds, while
the mellophone often is used in place of the French horn. Some especially large bands use flugelhorns and bass trombones. Specially
designed versions of the lower brass have been created for use while marching. These are typically wrapped in such a way that allow
the bell to face toward the audience at all times. Bands may also modify their instrumentation to remove slide trombones completely
and replace them with another instrument, such as a valved trombone or marching baritone horn.

Marching percussion (often referred to as the drumline, battery, or back battery) typically includes snare drums, tenor drums, bass
drums, and cymbals and are responsible for keeping tempo for the band. All of these instruments have been adapted for mobile,
outdoor use. Marching versions of the glockenspiel (bells), xylophone, and marimba are also rarely used by some ensembles.
Historically, the percussion section also employed mountedtimpani that featured manual controls.

For bands that include a front ensemble (also known as the pit or auxiliary percussion), stationary instrumentation may include
orchestral percussion such as timpani, tambourines, maracas, cowbells, congas, wood blocks, marimbas, xylophones, bongos,
vibraphones, timbales, claves, guiros, and chimes or tubular bells, concert bass drums, and gongs, as well as a multitude of auxiliary
percussion equipment, all depending on the instrumentation of the field show. Drum sets, purpose-built drum racks, and other
mounted instruments are also placed here. Until the advent of the pit in the early 1980s, many of these instruments were actually
carried on the field by marching percussionists by hand or on mounting brackets. Some bands also include electronic instruments
such as synthesizers, electric guitars, and bass guitar, along with the requisite amplification. If double-reed or string instruments are
used, they are usually placed here, but even this usage is very rare due to their relative fragility. Unusual percussive instruments are
sometimes used, includingbrake drums, empty propane tanks, trashcans, railroad ties, stomping rigs, and other interesting sounds. In
modern marching band, there is a use of amplification of the front ensemble to help balance out the wind and drumline sections. [19]
The use of synthesizers and electronics in the front ensemble can not only help the front ensemble, or "pit", be heard better by the
audience and judges, but it can add soundscapes such as voice overs to help tell the story of a field show, or to add sound effects (for
example, a show about nature could have bird/wind/rain sound samples performed by a front ensemble member playing the
synthesizer).

A rare inclusion in a marching band that is becoming more popular is the use of electrophones in a marching band. The most
common electric instrument seen is a bass guitar, but some schools also use keyboards and lead guitar. To make the electric
instruments usable, external power in the stadium is normally used, but some groups may use a car-battery mechanism that requires a
car battery and a converter to give the instruments and amplifiers remote power. Most bands have the guitars in the pit with keyboard
and auxiliary percussion, but some guitarists do march in the field show. This is made possible by wireless transmission systems that
connect a transmitter on the guitar to a receiver hooked to the amplifier. This implementation of equipment can also be used in
parades. Some band scores have parts for bass guitar, but in the event that a score does not, the bass guitarist normally plays
tuba/sousaphone, bassoon, baritone-bass clef, euphonium-bass clef, or trombone
music. It is very rare for a score to have a part for electric guitar, but the guitarist
may use oboe or flute music in this situation.

Auxiliaries
Many bands have auxiliaries that add a visual component to the performance. For
ceremonial bands, this could be a traditionalcolor guard or honor guard. For drum &
bugle corps and corps-style field bands, this could include Dance lines, majorettes, The UMass Band has long used
electronics in its performances.
Auxiliary units may be collectively referred to ascolor guard or visual ensemble.

Auxiliaries may perform as independent groups. In the early 1970s, color guards
began to hold their own competitions in the winter (after the American football season, and before the beginning of the summer drum
and bugle corps season). These became known aswinter guard. There are also numerous dance competitions in the of
f-season.

The color guard of a marching band or drum and bugle corps may contain sabers, mock rifles, and tall flags. In modern bands, other
props are often used: flags of all sizes, horizontal banners, vertical banners, streamers, pom-poms, even tires, balls, and hula hoops or
custom built props. The color guard may also employ stage dressing such as backdrops, portable flats, or other structures. These can
be used simply as static scenery or moved to emphasize block drill, and are often used to create a "backstage" area to store equipment
and hide personnel.

While military color guards were typically male, band color guards tend to be primarily female, though it is becoming more common
for men to join as well. A few independent units are all-male. Guard members nearly always wear a special uniform or costume that
is distinctive from that of the band, not necessarily matching in design or color. The men's and women's guard uniforms are usually
designed in one of two ways: nearly identically, but with gender-specific parts (i.e. skirts) adapted for the use of the opposite sex; or
complimentarily, with the two uniforms designed similarly but with variations in color or form. The color guard uniform, especially
in a high school marching band, need not be in school colors; in fact, they rarely are. These uniforms are designed to represent a
certain aspect of the halftime show, characterize the guard members through costumes, or tell some sort of story, and can thus be in
any design or color (a surprisingly common complaint among the high school audience is that guard uniforms and equipment "aren't
school colors").

Indoor color guards have become popular within high schools and universities throughout the United States. These groups perform a
theme-based show in competitions after the outdoor marching band season ends. Indoor color guard shows are typically performed in
school gymnasiums and are adjudicated.

Personnel
.[20] A marching band is typically led by one to three or
Irishman Patrick S. Gilmore started the concept of a band leader , occasionally,
four drum majors, also called field commanders, who are responsible for conducting the band (sometimes using a large baton or
mace, though such tools are used rarely in modern marching bands for conducting) and commonly referred to as the leader of the
band. When there is more than one drum major, one may be the head drum major, who stands on the 50-yard line while conducting,
whereas the other(s) often directs from convenient angles (should the marching block not be facing forward) and/or functions as an
apprentice of sorts. The number of members in the band often determines how many drum majors are needed, based on the
complexity of the show (in which case, in a three-person scenario, one stands on the 50-yard line while another stands on the 30-yard
line and the third stands on the other 30-yard line), and occasionally, additional individuals may be asked to perform brief conducting
duties if beneficial in a particularly tricky part of the show (more often, such people are those on the sidelines or in the pit). The
modern-day concept of the Drum Major has been exponentially expanded upon by George N. Parks, often known as the "Dynamic
Drum Major," through his Drum Major Academy. Bands may also be led by a more traditional conductor, especially during field
shows, where a stationary conductor on a ladder or platform may be visible throughout the performance. Aural commands—such as
vocal orders, clapping, or a whistle—may be used to issue commands as well. In show bands, particularly in HBCU and Big Ten
bands, drum majors often have a visual on-field role with a baton or mace, with the job of conducting relegated to the director(s). In
these cases, the number of drum majors is often based on tradition, rather than being in proportion with the number of musicians. For
example, the Florida A&M Marching 100 fields one drum major for each president in the university's history. Other leaders within
the band may include field lieutenants and captains of sections such as brass, drumline, and woodwinds, and members that lead a
section, squad, letter, row, etc.

Some bands assign drum majors the dual role of leading and conducting the ensemble on the field. This is most common in
traditional military-style groups, such as Texas A&M's Fightin' Texas Aggie Band: the drum majors march with the band, sound
whistles to coordinate movement, and use maces to keep time by thrusting them up and down (rather than toward and away from the
body, as is typical in American military bands).

The size of the band may not only determine how many drum majors there are, but how many section instructors are needed as well.
Section instructors function like the music director, but are mainly responsible for teaching members of a given section. Because they
are commonly previous members of the section they teach, they are able to provide better instruction to combine the needs of the
show with the characteristics of the given instrument.

As bands require leadership from within as well as from without, section leaders are usually selected from among the members of
each instrumental section (a "section" comprises all the band members who play the same musical instrument). The section leader is
always an experienced band member, and is usually selected by the band director (rather than elected or self-appointed) for his or her
leadership skills and experience. The section leader is responsible for the minute-to-minute instruction of his or her section members,
and reports to the drum majors and the band director. Many larger bands appoint more than one section leader per section, with each
having a "head" section leader, whether formally or informally designated as such. College-level military bands may use the term
"section sergeant" or "section officer" in place of "section leader."

The director provides general guidance, selects the repertoire, interprets commentary and evaluations from judges, and auditions
and/or recruits prospective members. What content is not provided by the director may be contracted from arrangers (who compose
original works or adapt existing works) and copyists (who reproduce the parts of the score), choreographers, and drill designers
(primarily for field bands). With the assistance of section instructors, the director also teaches performance technique—musical,
martial, and visual—and assesses the pool of talent, choosing leaders and soloists as needed. The director also selects venues for
public performance and oversees the staff that help provide funding and equipment. Many opportunities for member improvement are
present: the director may organize clinics with various professionals, send representatives to specialty schools or camps, and/or plan
trips abroad for education or exhibition.

Large bands also require a number of support staff who can move equipment, repair instruments and uniforms, create and manipulate
props used in performances, and provide food, water and medical assistance. Additional staff may be utilized when the band hosts
functions such as competitions and reviews. In high school bands, these activities are usually performed by volunteers, typically
parents of band members or the band members of the lower grades. These people are often referred to as runners or boosters.
Significant support staff for college bands and independent corps are typically paid by the university or the corps organization,
respectively.

Performance elements
The goal of each band's performance is different. Some aim for maximum uniformity and precision; others—especially scramble
bands—want to be as entertaining as possible. Many U.S. university marching bands aim for maximum sound impact on the
audience. Some bands perform primarily for the enjoyment of their own members. However, there are some common elements in
almost all band performances. The following overview is heavily focused on U.S. marching band tradition.

Music
The traditional music of the marching band is the military march, but since show bands also evolved from the concert and brass band
traditions, music has always been varied. Often, music from other genres is adapted for the specific instrumentation of a marching
band.
 Commercial arrangements that are tailored for the average band instrumentation are
also available. Military and university bands typically have a repertoire of traditional
music associated with the organization they serve. Some competitive bands use an
arrangement of popular music varied for marching band, as well as music from a
movie or other such theme. However, the largest and most successful marching
bands tend to steer clear of show tunes and popular music, instead preferring
compilations or arrangements of classical or traditional concert pieces (i.e.
Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring or Puccini's Nessun Dorma) or of entirely new
Marching bands members may hold
compositions.
music on lyres attached to the
instrument.
Music may be memorized, or it may be carried on flip folders, which are held by
lyres that clip onto the instruments. Having music memorized is usually considered
an advantage for competitive bands, and at competitions, there is usually a penalty for the use of the sheet music on the field written
into the scoring rubric. Practically, memorization prevents obstruction of vision caused by the folders. The memorization of music is
usually a matter of pride for the marching band, however bands that regularly pull from expansive libraries and perform dozens of
new works each season are more likely to utilize flip folders.

Marching Technique

High step
High step is a style of marching used by many colleges and universities, including most bands of HBCUs and the Big Ten. Three
primary sub-variants of the highare used:

The ankle-knee step involves bringing the foot up to the inside of the leg to the knee before coming down and
forward. This is the style used by most bands from HBCUs.
The chair step involves lifting the knee until the thighs are parallel to the ground, and with toes pointed downward.
When the leg is elevated to its maximum height, a ninety-degree angle exists between the torso and the thigh, as
well as between the thigh and shin. The leg is then lowered, and this is repeated in an alternating fashion between
the legs. The style is used by many schools in the Big e Tn.
The extended high step, similarly to the chair step, involves the thigh being parallel to the ground and perpendicular
to the body, but instead with the shin extended outward at a forty five-degree angle from the body and with toes
pointed downward. The leg is then driven quickly back to the ground while the other leg repeats in this fashion.
An integral part of this style of marching is known as stop action, meaning that all movement ceases momentarily at the apex of each
step. This requires a band to have a great deal of stamina, though is effective visually. High step marching is often accompanied by a
horizontal swing of the player's body and/or instrument.

Glide step
The glide step, also commonly known as the roll step, involves bringing the heel gently to the ground with the toe pointed up, and
then rolling forward onto the toes before lifting the foot to continue forward. While marching to the rear, the weight is placed
continually on the ball of the foot with the heel elevated. This style is used by both marching bands as well as drum and bugle corps.
The style, in comparison to high step, gives drill formations a more fluid appearance, allowing for better control of more difficult
formations and various styles of music. With this control also comes the ability to perform a much broader range of tempos. Proper
execution of a roll step gives a player marching at 40 beats per minute the same smooth tone as a player marching at 180. The roll
step allows for much better control of the upper body
, and thus better control of the air support needed for playing.

Some bands, and a select few drum and bugle corps, use a bent-knee variant of roll step, usually known simply as bent knee, in which
the members roll from heel to toe but lead the next step with the knee instead of the foot, then planting the heel of the next foot by
straightening the leg.

Marking time
When a band is not moving, the members may mark time, or march in place. The step used usually resembles the step that is used for
marching forward, though mixing a high step mark time with a roll step march (or vice versa) produces an interesting visual effect.
For a typical mark time, the foot is raised to the ankle bone of the opposite leg. The toe should not come off the ground and the knee
should not come out much past the still-straight leg.

Some bands mark time by bringing their feet all the way up to their knee—known as high-mark time. Some bands practice marking
time during concert arch with the toes coming off of the ground to give the marcher a greater sense of marching while actually
standing still. The heel should hit the ground on the beat. Some bands forgo marking time and instead come to a complete halt when
not marching. Traditionally, the drumline would put their feet in a V-shape and lift their feet fully off the ground a few inches. This is
to avoid hitting the drums.

Lateral marching
When band members are marching in one direction but want to focus their sound in another, they may rotate their bodies at the waist,
so that only the upper portion of the body faces in the direction of play. This is known as lateral marching, but is more commonly
known as either shifting, traversing, or sliding. A lateral march is not a change in the direction of march, only in the direction the
upper body faces. Percussion players, whose large drum harnesses often prevent them from twisting their torsos, and sometimes tuba
and sousaphone players, instead uses a crab step when moving sideways. During a crab step, the musician crosses one leg over the
other, either marching on the toes or rolling the foot sideways. Percussionists may also substitute roll step when their instruments
would interfere with performing the high step.

Changing direction
A true direction change involving the feet moving in a new direction requires either a prep step or a pivot, both of which are
sometimes referred to as a flank or “stab”. To perform a prep step, on the last count of movement in the first direction a marcher
plants the foot with the heel turned outward at half the angle of the turn desired, with the upper body still facing forward. On the next
count, the other foot snaps into position completing the turn. The upper body may or may not turn with the lower body. Some bands
plant the heel on the prep step rather than the toe, but preserving the angle of the foot.
To perform a pivot, the marcher pivots between
directions over the ball of the foot on the last count instead of using a prep step.

Backward marching
A back march may be used when the band wishes to move in the opposite direction from where it is projecting its sound. There are
several ways to back march, one of which is to walk backwards, putting each foot down and rolling from the toe to the heel (the exact
reverse of the roll step). Another variation involves marching on the platforms of the feet, dragging the toe of the moving foot on the
ground. Backwards marching usually employs the same preference for leg straightness as forward marching (if the band marches
with legs completely straight while marching forwards, they also do so while marching backwards, to preserve uniformity of style).
Using peripheral vision to align oneself to formations or field markings is even more important during backward marching.

Staying in step
Even when marking time, it is considered good form for all band members to stay
in step—that is, step with the same foot at the same
time. A large majority of bands step off with, or start marching on, the left foot. Staying in step is generally easier when the band is
playing music or when the drums are playing a marching cadence.

When the band and percussion are not playing, rhythm may be maintained in a variety of ways: a drummer may play clicks or rim
shots, the drum major may clap or use a wood block, a drum major or band member may vocalize a sharp syllable like "hit," "hut," or
"dut," or band members may chant the military call of "left, left, left right left." Band members may count the steps of the move out
loud so as to keep the entire band together. Typically, most moves consist of a number of steps that are a multiples of two or four, due
to most marching band music being in even-numbered time signatures. Even-numbered time signatures aid in staying in step because
they assign odd-numbered counts to the left foot, and even-numbered counts to the right foot. If a band member is on the wrong foot,
for instance odd on the right foot and even on the left, this is referred to as being out of step. When a band member is completely off
tempo, it is referred to as beingout of phase.

Parade marching
In parades, bands usually line up in a marching block composed of
ranks and files. Each member tries to stay within his or her given
rank and file, and to maintain even spacing with neighboring
musicians.[21] It is traditionally the responsibility of the people at the
end of each rank and the front of each file to be in the correct
location; this allows other band members to use them as a reference,
also known as guiding.

The University of Florida's marching band, The

Band members also try to keep a constant pace or step size while
Pride of the Sunshine, performing in a parade
marching in parade. Step sizes usually vary between 22 and 30
inches (56–76 cm) per stride. A step size of 22.5 inches is called an
8-to-5 step because the marcher covers five yards (about 4.6 m) in eight steps. A step size of 30 inches is called 6-to-5 because five
yards are covered in six steps. Because yard lines on an American football field are five yards apart, exact 8-to-5 and 6-to-5 steps are
most useful for field shows.

A drum cadence, sometimes called a walkbeat or street beat, is usually played when the band is marching, sometimes alternating
with a song, and is typically how a band keeps time while not playing music. Alternatively, a drum click or rim shot may be given on
the odd beats to keep the band in step. Between songs and cadences, a roll is usually given to indicate what beat in the measure the
band is at. Cadence tempo varies from group to group, but is generally between 112 and 144 beats per minute in order to facilitate
marching.

Street performances
In Minnesota, Upstate New York, and Wisconsin, bands may perform on city streets with compact formation elements, sometimes
referred to as a street show. These shows are judged using similar criteria as any other marching band competition. Elements of
difficulty increase with street marching competitions because of the varying widths of streets in each community. Street marching is
typical for bands who operate during the spring and early summer months. Typically, a band that performs in street marching
competitions does not become involved with field marching, and vice versa. Various venues exist for street marching competitions
between high school marching bands.[22][23][24]

Field marching
While playing music during a field show, the band makes a series of formations,
called drill, on the field, which may be pictures, geometric shapes, curvilinear
designs, or blocks of musicians, although sometimes it may be pure abstract designs
using no specific form.

Typically, each band member has an assigned position in each formation. In many
show bands and most drum corps, these positions are illustrated in a handheld
booklet called a drill book (also known as a dot book). Drill books, or drill charts, Kansas State University Marching
show where each person stands during each set of the show. The drill charts include Band marching on the football field at
Bill Snyder Family Stadiumin
yard lines and hashes as they would be on an actual football field, which shows the
Manhattan, Kansas
band members where to stand in relation to the yard lines and hashes. There are
many ways of getting from one formation to the next:
 Each member move independently—calledscattering or scatter drill.
All members move together without deforming the picture—calledfloating.
Members stay in their lines and arcs, but slowly deform the picture—sometimes calledrotating, expanding, or
condensing.
Members break into ranks or squads, each of which performs a maneuver (such as follow-the-leader)
a which may
or may not be scripted. An unscripted move is sometimes called arank option.
Each member performs a specifically scripted move. In these cases, the desired visual fect
ef is often the move itself
and not the ending formation.
Members at an extended halt perform a stationary visual move, such as a ripple (like "the wave") or some sort of
choreography.
Players may point the bells of their instruments in the direction they are moving, or slide (also called traverse) with all the bells
facing in the same direction. They may also point it towards the center of the field. Bands that march in time with the music typically
also synchronize the direction of individuals' turns, and try to maintain even spacing between individuals in formations (called
intervals). Sometimes bands specifically have wind players turn their instruments away from the audience to emphasize the dynamics
of the music.

Auxiliaries can also add to the visual effect. Backdrops and props (scrims) may be used on the field that fit the theme of the show or
the music being performed. In comedic shows, particularly for university bands, an announcer may read jokes or a funny script
between songs; formations that are words or pictures (or the songs themselves) may serve as punch lines.

Fundamental commands and drill down

In some marching bands, a drum major has the option to give out a set of commands to the rest of the band either vocally, by hand
command, or by whistle. These commands originated from the military history of marching band. Different bands might have
different sets of procedures such as the number ofcounts it takes to carry out the command, but overall result are the same.

To the ready/Standing by/Rest/Relax: the command tells the band to stand with heads slightly bowed, feet shoulder
length apart. The band often automatically does this when they first march onto a field at the beginning of their show.
Band atten-hut/Set: the command that tells the band to go into the position of attention, a military posture. The band
usually responds with a loud verbal response, such as "One!" or "Hit!"
Mark time march: the command tells the band to march in place in rhythm to snare taps, normally before they march
off.
Forward march, sometimes ForwardHarch: this command tells the band to begin marching, in time, and in step.
They step off on the left foot, and end on theright.
Detail halt/Band halt: this command tells the band to stop marching. Normally they'll mark time for two beats, saying
"ONE, TWO" or "DUT, DUT" on these beats,to ensure they end on the right foot.
At ease: this tells the band that they may completely relax.
Parade Rest: the command that tells the band to put their feet shoulder wide and join both hands in the front of their
body or to put both feet together or in a V
-formation and roll their elbows out and put both hands in fists resting on
the hip (the upper-body portion is usually only utilized when marching without instruments, sometimes the second
option's lower body form and the first option's upper-body form is used).
Left face: the command to turn the band 90 degrees to the left while at the position of attention.
Right face: the command to turn the band 90 degrees to the right while at the position of attention.
About face: the command to turn the band 180 degrees to the rear while at the position of attention.
Horns up: the command for wind players to bring their instruments to playing position (mouthpiece on or near the
mouth).
Horns thrust: this command for wind players instructs the band to bring their horns to thrust
a position where their
instruments are perpendicular to the ground and their mouthpieces are level with their eyes.
Horns carry: this command for wind players instructs the band to put their instrument under their right arm.
Dismissed: this command generally releases the band either for the day or for another portion of the rehearsal.
To the left flank: this command turns the band90 degrees sinistrally while marking time.It is not to be executed until
the director/drum major shouts the command "hut" or "march."
To the right flank: this command turns the band 90 degrees dextrally while marking time. It is not to be executed until
the director/drum major shouts the syllable "hut" or "march."
To the rear: this command turns the band 180degrees while marking time. It is not to be executed until the
director/drum major shouts the syllable "hut" or "march."
 Dress center/right/left dress: this command has the band bring their hands together at eye-level and to turn their
heads toward the center, right, or left of the block (if one is in the center, one simply puts one's head down).While
dressing, the band can adjust the block to have better spacing.No commands other than "Ready front" (sometimes
"Eyes front") can be executed while Dressing is in action.
Ready front/Eyes front: this command makes a band exit dress center for attention.
Cover down: this command tells the band to line up their files and make sure they are straight.
Aside from field show and parade, competitions among secondary schools can also have the march off (also concentration block or
drill down). This event involves all participants on the field following the commands of the director or a drum major. If a participant
makes a mistake, either by execution or wrong timing, then the participant falls out of the field. A winner is crowned when there is
only one participant left on the field.

Delay
Each musician in a marching band creates sound waves. The waves from each musician, traveling at the speed of sound, reach the
other musicians, field conductors and listeners at slightly different times. If the distance between musicians is large enough, listeners
may perceive waves to be out of phase. Typically, in this case, listeners perceive that one section of the band is playing their parts
slightly after another section. This delay effect is informally referred to as ensemble tear or phasing (not to be confused with the
music composition technique of the same name).

Consider also that viewers perceive the movement of marchers as light waves. Since light travels faster than sound, viewers may
perceive that movement is out of phase with the sound. Sound waves may also reflect fofparts of the stadium or nearby buildings.

For example, if two musicians, one standing on the front sideline of the football field and one on the back sideline, begin playing
exactly when they see the beat of the conductor's baton or hand, the sound produced by the musician on the front sideline reaches
listeners in the stands noticeably before the sound played by the back musician, and the musicians is seen to move before the sound
reaches the stands.

Ensemble tears can occur when musicians on the field listen to the pit. Because of the way sound waves travel, the sound pit
produces first bounces off the back bleachers and then is heard by the ensemble. By the time the ensemble hears them, they are
already late in timing. Because of this reason, the norm is to ignore the pit and let them listen to the ensemble for timing.

Delay can be reduced in several ways, including:

using compact formations;

instructing players to watch field conductors, to get a uniform idea of tempo;
instructing musicians to make constant adjustments and watch or listen to sources of tempo to make their sound
reach the audience at the same time as other musicians;
instructing players located near the back of the field watch the drum major , and all other players tolisten back,
playing along with those watching the drum major;
instructing players to keep track of time and rhythm on their owninternalize
( the tempo);
instructing the percussion to call out counts, or do rimshots (sometimes called cheaters) when they are not playing;
instructing players to ignore the delay and realize that listeners hear the sound waves in phase. This most often
occurs when the band is spread out, but in groups (e.g., the four corners of the football field in 4 groups). In this
case, the sound reaches the center of the stadium and the center of the stands at the same moment provided the
band members are not correcting for each other.

Uniforms
Nearly all marching band personnel wear some kind of uniform. Military-style uniforms are most common, but there are bands that
use everything from matching T-shirts and shorts to formal wear. The school or organization's name, symbol, and/or colors are
commonly applied to uniforms. Uniforms may also have substantially different colors on the front and back, so if band members turn
suddenly (flank), the audience sees a striking change of color. Band members at many Ivy League schools wear a jacket and tie while
performing. The Southern Methodist University band wear a different combination of jackets, vests, ties, shirts, and pants for each
half (changing before halftime) of each game and no clothing or uniform combinations are repeated during the marching season. The
Diagrammed example of marching band uniforms of theBig Ten conference in the United States.

Alma College Kiltie Marching Band is famous for wearingkilts made of the official Alma College tartan.

The components of a band uniform are numerous. Common design elements include hats (typically shakos, pith helmets,
combination hats or other styles of helmets) with feather plumes, capes, gloves, rank cords, and other embellishments. The USC
Spirit of Troy Marching Band and Troy University's Sound of the South Marching Band wear traditional Trojan helmets. It is also
common for band uniforms to have a stripe down the leg and light-colored shoes, or spats over dark shoes to emphasize the
movement of the legs while marching. Similarly, uniforms may feature additional components which highlight movement of the
upper body, such as the "wings" worn by the University of Minnesota's marching band to highlight flanking movements on the
field.[25] Competitive bands however, many times opt for matching uniforms, especially pants and shoes (usually white or black) to
hide the visual effect of members who are out of step as seen from a distance. Occasionally, a band forgos traditional uniforms in
favor of costumes that fit the theme of its field show. The costumes may or may not be uniform throughout the band. This kind of
specialized uniform change is usually confined to competitive marching bands.

Drum Majors, the field commanders and band directors, usually do not wear the regular band uniform, to better distinguish them
from the rest of the band. Some wear more formal outfits or costumes that match the theme of the music, or most commonly a
differently-designed version of the regular band uniform, often employing different colors (especially white) or features such as
capes. Some (especially at the college level) still employ the tall wool-lined shako or much larger bearskin (both often derisively
referred to as a "Q-Tip hat"). Sousaphone players may use a military-style beret or entirely forgo the use of a head covering, as most
hats may be in the way of the bell. Some auxiliary groups use uniforms that resemble gymnastics outfits: Often, these uniforms are
themed, drawing inspiration from the music. Many auxiliary groups change the outfits they use from season to season based on the
needs of the band, although some that do also have a "base" uniform for occasions such as parades or other ceremonies.

Rehearsals
Music for parade and show bands is typically learned separately, in a concert band setting. It may even be memorized before any of
the marching steps are learned. When rehearsing drill, positions and maneuvers are usually learned without playing the music
simultaneously—a common technique for learning drill is to have members sing their parts or march to a recording produced during a
music rehearsal. Many bands learn drill onepicture or form at a time, and later combine these and add music.

Rehearsals may also include physical warm-up (calisthenics, running, etc.), music warm-up (generally consisting of breathing
exercises, scales, technical exercises, chorales, and tuning), basics (simple marching in a block to practice proper technique), and
sectionals (in which either staff or band members designated section leaders rehearse individual sections).

When learning positions for drill, an American football field may be divided into a 5-yard grid, with the yard lines serving as one set
of guides. The locations where the perpendicular grid lines cross the yard lines, sometimes called zero points or gacks, may be
marked on a practice field at eight-, four-, or two-step intervals. Alternately, band members may only use field markings—yard lines,
the center line, hash marks, and yard numbers—as guides (but note that dif
ferent leagues put these markings in different places).

For members to learn their positions more quickly, they may be given drill charts, which map their locations relative to the grid or
field markings for each formation. In other groups, spray chalk or colored markers are used to mark the location of each person after
each set of drill, with a different color and, sometimes, shape for each move.
Some bands use small notebooks, also known as a dot book or drill book, which they hang about their necks, on the drum harness, or
around the waist. These contain pages of drill charts, which often either give a picture or list coordinates that band members use to
find 'pages' or 'sets' on the field. Coordinates are normally listed in 8-to-5 steps off the front sideline and front and back hashes, along
with the number of 8–5 steps off of the yard line listed on each page. Some bands are even using small plastic pouches that hang
about their neck on an adjustable strap, which has a zipper pocket for holding drill, flags to mark sets, and a pencil. There is also a
clear plastic window in front to display the current part of drill being worked on at that point in time.

Members may also group into squads, ranks, sections, or (especially with scramble bands that primarily form words) letters. Instead
of each member having an individual move, moves are then learned on a squad-by-squad (rank-by-rank) basis.

Band Camp
Most bands meet in the summer, normally in August for summer training, or prior to the specific marching season (known as band
camp). This involves learning basic marching fundamentals such as the type of marching step the band uses, commands from the
drum major, and how to move on field. The band is also given music to learn for their show. Drill for the show may or may not be
provided to learn during band camp. The camp takes place outdoors on field for marching, and in a band hall for music-only
rehearsals. Sectionals, or rehearsals including all of one instrument (e.g. flute sectional), take place during this time. Directors may
use time during band camp to place band members in their sections based on playing and/or marching level and ability. This time can
also be used for the potential drums majors to showcase their abilities and for the band director to choose who is head drum major.
For bands that require auditions for the band, drumline, or auxiliary, auditions may happen the first few days for placement. Band
camp usually lasts 1–2 weeks, but in the case of a more advanced marching band, camp may last up to a month. In most university
bands, band camp means an earlier move-in date for university students in the band.

American football games

Marching bands serve as entertainment during American football games, may also be known as pep band. For college and high
school marching bands, this is the primary purpose of the ensemble. The home team's band plays the national anthem before kickoff
(often as part of a pre-game show), as well as other music while in the stands during the game. Bands cheer with the cheerleaders,
and some bands create their own cheers. Marching bands then perform a show during halftime. When both teams' bands are present,
it is common protocol for the visiting band to perform first. After halftime, some high school bands use the third quarter of the game
to take a break and get food. College bands and some high school bands do not have such breaks, but continue playing in the stands
during the entirety of the game. The band often stay the entire game, playing the school's fight song and alma mater at the end of the
game regardless of the outcome.

Three National Football League teams designate an official marching band: the Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore
Ravens. Marching bands were once common fare during Super Bowl halftime shows during its earlier years but were later replaced
by short stadium rock concerts from high-profile recording artists, some of which have incorporated marching bands into their
performances. Marching bands are otherwise uncommon at the professional level.

Competition
In competition, marching bands are usually judged on criteria such as musicality, uniformity, visual impact, artistic interpretation, and
the difficulty of the music and drill. Competition exists at all levels, but is most common in the U.S. among secondary school bands
and drum and bugle corps. Performances designed for a competition setting usually include more esoteric music (including but not
limited to adaptations of modern orchestral pieces). Many traditional style bands compete in contest known as a Battle of the Bands,
similar to the Atlanta Classic from the movie Drumline. There are also competitions at the national level, such as the Bands of
America (BOA) Grand National Championships throughMusic for All.[26]

Although its legitimacy is often called into question, competitive marching band is sometimes considered a sport, due in large part to
the physical exertion required in combination with teamwork. Many HBCU marching band fans refer to band as marching sport.
Sports Illustrated considered the activity a sport in 1987, describing the Drum Corps International World Championships “one of the
biggest sporting events of the summer.”[27][28] In the same article, Sports Illustrated quoted basketball coach Bobby Knight, "If a
basketball team trained as hard as these kids do, it would be unbelievable. I like to take my players [to watch drum corps] to show
them what they can accomplish with hard work and teamwork. Besides, once they see them practice 12 hours a day, my players think
I’m a helluva lot easier.”[28]

In his presentation to the American College of Sports Medicine's annual meeting in 2009, researcher and exercise physiologist Gary
Granata presented research after studying members of the Avon High School Marching Black and Gold, noting "At the top levels of
marching band and drum corps, you get a level of competition and athleticism that is equal to a division I athletic program."[29]
Granata further pointed out, "Performers are constantly moving, and often running, at velocities that reach 180 steps or more per
[30]
minute while playing instruments that weigh up to 40 pounds."

Moreover, in an ESPN segment from 2005, researchers from Indiana State University placed devices on Drum Corps members that
recorded metabolic rates during performances and practices, utilizing measurements of oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide
production, and heart rate.The findings were that the performers metabolic rates matched those of marathon runners halfway through
[31]
a marathon, while the heart rate was more along the lines of someone who was running a "400 or 800 meter dash."

Spring competitions
Spring and early summer parade marching (or street marching) is popular in the northern midwest and Upstate New York, where
temperatures are moderate enough for students to march distances in standard uniforms. Performance styles range from traditional
[32]
block marching to elaborate productions with evolving drill patterns.

Summer competitions
Some circuits in the United States continue to hold field show competitions during the summer months. Much like drum corps, these
bands rehearse and tour full-time for about a month from mid-June to mid-August. Such circuits include the Mid-America Competing
Band Directors Association, or MACBDA,[33] and the Catholic Youth Organization circuits.

MACBDA is currently host to more than 20 actively competing, summer-only field show bands from the US (Wisconsin, Illinois,
Indiana, and Michigan) and Canada (Saskatchewan and Alberta). The circuit sponsors fourteen field show competitions each summer
and the circuit championships move on a three-year-rotation from Calgary, AB, Canada, to Traverse City, MI, to the Southern
Wisconsin / Northern Illinois area.

The Honda Battle of the Bands is an annual marching band exhibition that features performances by HBCU bands. Seemingly
contradictory to the name, Honda's "battle" is not a competition in the traditional sense. That is, no winner is crowned during the
event. Rather, the bands compete for the favor of the audience, each other
, and the greater community.

WAMSB (World Association of Marching Show Bands) is an international organization holding many competitions throughout the
world. Its World Championships are held annually in the summer in a different country. Past host nations include Canada, Brazil,
Japan, Malaysia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, & Australia. WAMSB sanctioned events happen in 32 nations.[34]

The Central Indiana Track Show Association hosts contests in Indiana during the summer. The championships for CITSA is the
Indiana State Fair Band Daycompetition, held every August at theIndiana State Fair.[35]

Fall competitions
Most high school marching band competitions occur in the fall when the majority of schools begin classes. In the United States, there
are two national competition circuits in which bands can compete: Bands of America and the United States Scholastic Band
Association (USSBA).
The USSBA was formed in 1988 through the help of the Cadets Drum and Bugle
Corps. Over 700 high school bands compete during the Fall season with bands of
similar size and talent. Each competition provides approximately 40 professional
judges who give feedback on the show's programming and design. At the season's
end the top 50 bands are invited to compete in the US Scholastic Band
[36]
Championship, which is hosted at a college or professional stadium.

Bands of America is the other major circuit that conducts several competitions
throughout the fall season. Competitions include Regional Championships, held in
collegiate stadiums in locations such as Pennsylvania, California, Ohio, Texas, and The Avon High School Marching
North Carolina, and Super Regional Championships held in NFL stadiums in cities Black and Gold, a large marching
band, is classified as a AAAA band in
such as Atlanta, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. The season accumulates with the
the BOA circuit, as determined by
holding of Grand National Championships, considered the top event for high school
school size.
marching. Grand Nationals takes place inLucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana
in early to mid November. The three-day event concludes with the top 12 highest
scoring high school bands, out of the more than 90 who participate, performing in Grand National Finals on Saturday night. Due to
the stiff competition, with bands traveling to the event from throughout the country, many people consider the champion the best high
school marching band in the country. There are no qualifications for any Bands of America events, including Grand Nationals.
Admittance is based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Many states have their own competition circuits, as well as their own rules for competitions in their circuits. Several colleges host
annual independent competitions, with varying degrees of prestige—such as the Contest of Champions at Middle Tennessee State
University, which is the longest running high school band contest in the United States.

To make competitions fair, bands normally split into different classes or divisions based on certain factors. One popular classification
system uses the size of the school to split up the competing bands. This is the method used by Bands of America, the Indiana State
School Music Association, Kentucky Music Educators Association and the University Interscholastic League. Alternatively, the
number of band members determines the class—with the largest bands being Division I, and smaller bands being classified as
Division II, III, and IV.

The Sudler Trophy and Sudler Shield

The Sudler Trophy and Sudler Shields are awards bestowed each year by the John
Philip Sousa Foundation on one university marching band and one high school
marching band. The awards do not represent the winner of any championship, but
rather a band surrounded by great tradition that has become respected nationally. No
school may be honored with either award twice while under the same director
.

Marching bands outside the U.S.

The University of Massachusetts
Minuteman Marching Band's Sudler
Canada Trophy

Most marching bands in Canada are organized by the Canadian Band Association or
by Canadian universities:

Royal Military College of Canada Bands-

Simon Fraser University Pipe Band
Western Mustang Band
Thunderbird Marching Band
McMaster Marching Band
Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad
China, Republic of
In Taiwan, the National Marching Band Association is the main organizer of local marching bands in the country. It is currently
located at it's headquarters in theNeihu District of Taipei City.

Ghana
The following are Ghanian marching bands:

Mfantsipim School Regimental Band

Ghana Royal Rangers Marching Band
Human Factor Leadership Academy Marching Band
Ghana Prisons Service Regimental Marching Band
Labone SDA Junior High School Brass Band

Malaysia
The first marching bands were introduced in Malaysia during the British colonial period, and has since grown and increased it's
importance. The most common are found in the Malaysian Armed Forces, however in recent years, there has been a rise in the
number of show bands and drum corps in the country. Although the Ministry of Education organizes most school marching bands,
other organizations have made consistent efforts to organize local marching bands.[37]

Russia
In Russia, there are not many school or local marching bands in existence, with most being government sponsored military bands.
The marching bands of the Russian Armed Forces are organized by the Military Band Service in the Ministry of Defence. Also
known as Marshiruyushchiye orkestr(loosely translated to Марширующие оркестр, which means Marching Orchestra in Russian),
notable Russian marching bands include the Band and Corps of Drums of the Moscow Military Music College, whose cadets are
famous for setting the pace for the annual Victory Day Parades on Red Square. These types of bands only came into existence after
1991 when the Soviet Union ceased to exist. During the Soviet era, civilian like marching bands were extremely rare, with one of the
only non-military bands having been employed in the late 1930s and early 1940s during National Sports Day parades in the capital of
Moscow. Other Russian marching bands include the Drummers Group of the Boarding School for Girls of the Ministry of Defense of
Russia and the Moscow & District Pipe Band. The country has hosted many marching band tattoos within the last 70 years, including
the Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival and Tattoo in Moscow and the Amur Waves International Military Bands Festival in
Khabarovsk.

United Kingdom
British marching bands are not uncommon in the United Kingdom and are mostly
organized on a local basis. Bands such as The Chesterfield Musketeers Showband
and the Hertfordshire Showband serve as carnival bands as well. The Christ's
Hospital Band is one of the few collegic marching bands in the UK.

Northern Ireland The Brentwood Imperial Youth Band

There is a large parade marching scenein Northern Ireland, with most of the parades
being organized by loyalist bands and the Orange Order. Many of the bands that
play in these parades are British-styled marching brass bands, corps of drums and pipe bands.

See also
Marching Arts
 Tournament of Bands
Band sectional
List of marching bands
Western Band Association

References
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Media related to Marching band at Wikimedia Commons

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