Front ensemble

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In a marching band or drum corps, the front ensemble or pit is the stationary percussion ensemble typically placed in front of the football field. Originally, the front ensemble consisted of keyboard percussion and timpani, the marching versions of which are heavy and awkward. Groups began adding more and more traditional percussion instruments to the pit, and in its modern form, the ensemble may contain any type of percussion instrument from cymbals and drum sets to Afro-Cuban percussion such as congas to world percussion such as djembes. The main emphasis of the pit in drum corps style groups are the mallet instruments: marimba, vibraphone, and xylophone. Some marching band circuits also allow non-standard instruments (such as the violin) or electronic instruments (such as synthesizers and electric guitars) in the pit. However, this is extremely controversial and divisive within the drum corps community.

Some high school marching bands opt not to march any percussion instruments, but instead have a "full" front ensemble. Some high schools who use this technique are Ooltewah from Tennessee, Tarpon Springs from Florida, Broken Arrow from Oklahoma, and Francis Howell North from Missouri.

In Indoor Drumline, the front ensemble may not necessarily be placed at the "front" as the name suggests. The show designers can place the pit, where it would be most effective for the show. The ensemble still consists of the same instruments however, and can vary in size from as few as 1 or 2 people to as big as 20 or more people.

In a stage musical, the accompanying orchestra sits in the orchestra pit. It is from this type of front ensemble that the term "pit" became used for a marching band/drum corps front ensemble.