Talk:Marching band

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marching band has had a peer review by Wikipedia editors which is now archived. It may contain ideas you can use to improve this article.

Contents 1 ARticle Quality 2 The Spirit of Troy's style 3 Pictures of your favorite marching band 4 Trail? 5 Sudler Trophy 6 Merge band camp to here? 7 New Question, AKA Question II 8 Question 9 Corps vs. Marching Bands 10 I think I fixed it 11 old school 12 Old School? 13 Competition info? 14 Minor Rewrite 15 "Watching the conductor" and phasing 16 Classification 17 Rehersal Diagrams 18 Lead Picture 19 Instruments 20 Lists of Bands in the article 21 Class Question 22 Throwing metal stick? 23 Discussion of 'Firsts' 24 Variations of Roll Steps 25 Biased Article

[edit] ARticle Quality

This is potentially a good article, but it encompasses all enxembles of sound making things that move. There needs to be a MARCHING BAND and an ALTERNATIVE MARCHING BAND article. Sorry I can't work on it

—The preceding unsigned comment was added by Bassoonist123 (talk • contribs) 09:04, 23 March 2007 (UTC).

[edit] The Spirit of Troy's style

Anyone who is in the University of Southern California's band (The Spirit of Troy) can tell you that our marching style is absolutely unique - That we are the only band in the world to use that particular style. It is described like this in the article: "-An older high step involves the lifting of the knee with legs directly in front, thighs parallel to the ground, and toes pointed downward. When the leg is elevated, it should give the appearance of a 90-degree angle with the thigh and leg, and the body and thigh. The leg is then lowered, and this is repeated with the other leg. This is informally referred to as the "chair."" Is it really unique? Are we really the ONLY band in the world to use the style, or do we just say that? - MatrixFrog

I have seen something similar to this in some southern high school marching bands, but nothing as high as "thighs parallel to the ground". - TCR

I believe the North Hills High School "Fighting Indian" Marching Band in Pittsburgh uses this marching style. However, we (I am a proud member) do not lift our legs to "parallel to the ground," but we get pretty darn close. - Bobman123 03:32, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Pictures of your favorite marching band

I realize that everyone wants pictures of their favorite marching on this article but please refrain. Lately alot of bias has been creeping onto the page such as "the premier college band" and posting pictures of high school bands when not needed. If you want to create a page for your favorite band please do so and keep the bias off this page.

AStudent

[edit] Trail?

Does anyone know where the term trail originated from? S'daoh Lokadish 07:12, 16 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Sudler Trophy

Should the Sudler Trophy stuff be split into a separate article? The main content seems to be the list of winning schools, which are all excellent bands, so it doesn't seem all that inappropriate to leave it here. Fsiler 09:19, 30 October 2005 (UTC)

• I say that it should be left in the current article. It's more of a subheading of the "competition" part of the article. AStudent.
• Should the links of receipent schools go to the page for that school or for that school's band's page, if one exists? MSU's link goes to the Spartan band page but PSU's link doesn't go to the Blue Band page, for example. PSUMark2006 17:08, 29 May 2006 (UTC)
• I updated the list of Awardees to go to their band page (or the subsection in their school page in some cases) recently. It's more intuitive (in my opinion) as the award is for the band, not the entire institution. The remaining question is if the visible portion of the list should contain the band's public name (eg, "University of Michigan Marching Band", "University of Illinois Marching Illini", "Penn State Blue Band", etc) or remain as it is with just the institution name. Upholder 21:27, August 18, 2006 (UTC)
• Also, the subsection at John Philip Sousa Foundation#The Sudler Trophy is identical to the one at Marching Band#Sudler Trophy. Should the latter be elimiated and simply point to the foundation's entry? Upholder 22:16, 18 August 2006 (UTC)
• Either merging or splitting would be appropriate. The article has been tagged as lengthy. Also, Sudler Trophy should redirect to the appropriate site, and not to Marching band Group29 19:08, 22 November 2006 (UTC)
• Split to separate article. AUTiger ʃ ^talk/_work 20:28, 22 November 2006 (UTC)
• Delete this section, since it duplicates the material on the Sousa Foundation article. Replace it with a short summary and link it to the other article. PhilosopherBruce 00:28, 26 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Merge band camp to here?

Actually, I think all of the content there is already on this page. If nobody screams loudly in the next couple days I'll probably replace the band camp page with a redirect. Fsiler 09:13, 30 October 2005 (UTC)

band camp isn't just for marching bands though. i volunteer at an orchestra camp that runs in conjunction with a band camp, both of which teach beginners (think elementary school) basic skills. 66.41.59.162 01:40, 20 June 2006 (UTC)

Band camp should definetely not be merged into this article. Most band camps have little or nothing to do with marching band. Ultimate77 19 January 2007

[edit] New Question, AKA Question II

What does the song F.B.G. stand for? Its a song that is often played in marching bands, and i would like to know what it means/stands for and mabye the origin. Thanks everyone! Go Huskies!--Gephart 21:47, 25 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Question

"all the members can move together without deforming the picture – this is called floating" in the marching band I'm in, 'floating' refers to moving and deforming the picture. A 'push' is moving without deforming the picture. Is this just different, or does this need to be changed? Also, can the speed of sound vs. light really affect phasing?

In the bands that I am familiar with, the language you use is contrary, in some cases even the exact opposite of what's used in yours. It's just a difference from band to band, and area of the country (and countries). With regards to phasing, the light and sound variation does indeed cause it. Assuming that the entire band is in perfect synchronization with the drum major, they will all see the downbeat at the same time, and will all play the downbeat at the same time, but the speed of sound from their horns will vary by distance. Simply, the band sees the drum major at the same time (light is instantaneous) but the drum major hears from the band members at different times (sound is not instantaneous, simply somewhat slow).

In the future, please add comments at the bottom of the page, though. Mr Bound 23:10, May 12, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Corps vs. Marching Bands

Some of the material in this article seems to be about drum corps instead of marching band.

Also, some of the material seems to be personal opinion of the author.

I am marking the article as disputed. I will attempt to fix/move the problematic information.

Dave 01:43, Aug 26, 2004 (UTC)

[edit] I think I fixed it

But my brain is fried. Feel free to edit - but drum corps/DCI stuff should go in the proper articles.

66.253.188.161 07:52, 26 Aug 2004 (UTC)

[edit] old school

Actually, a lot of this stuff seems to be about non-modern marching band....

Bring on the corner turns.

[edit] Old School?

FYI, I did the last major re-write of this article. It was a disaster before.

If you feel there's more that should be here, then I encourage you to add. Because I marched in a very traditional H.S. band, and because my experience with bands at the college level was in the Big Ten (which generally has a very traditional approach), I don't know what is considered "cutting edge" in marching band.

Honestly, I've never heard of a "corner turn" - but it could just be a regionally-popular version of another term, like "roll" vs. "glide" step and "scramble" vs. "scatter" band. I've also not included specific marching maneuvers in this article, though that could probably go in a new section (or even a new article!).

My suggestions would be:

• If you've had any marching band experiences that are different from what is described in this article, add the information in the appropriate sections. Just be careful that you present it objectively, as in "since 19xx, another popular method has been ...", or "alternately, some marching bands ...". One of the big problems we've had with marching band and drum corps articles is that people tend to include their opinions on which style is "best" - which is not appropriate on Wikipedia.
• If you want to explore specific marching band terms or individual marching maneuvers, start a new section. The more information we can give, the better (as long as it's well organized!)

Anyway, that's just my $0.02.

(Oh, and please include your username next time when you post here - you can do it by making the last line of your post four tilde '~' characters in a row.)

Dave 19:05, Jan 15, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Competition info?

It's not clear of the "classes" you describe apply only to U.S. high school competitions or to all bands everywhere. Remember that your readership here will be international, and what may be true in English-speaking North America might not be true even in other English-speaking areas, (England, Australia, India, etc).

[edit] Minor Rewrite

The following:

"However, a band's ability or inability to do this successfully may result in the changing of the next year's uniforms, adding stripes to pantlegs which results in a mesmerizing shimmer as the band marches in step (especially in long lines) or removing stripes to make it less obvious the band is out of step."

Is already covered under "uniforms" and has been removed.

Dave 17:42, Feb 7, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] "Watching the conductor" and phasing

Because of the large difference between the speeds of light and sound, watching the conductor causes phasing, it doesn't prevent it. Most good bands listen back to the drumline. – flamurai^TM 19:31, Feb 7, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Classification

It is incorrect that most states classify bands by the number of musicians. Many states now classify by the school population. And of the few states that do classify by number of musicians, there is no standardized format.

I couldn't say for the general trend, but at least at my high school, (which like most public high schools in the area falls into the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association for judging) we're classified by size of the band. Also, as long as I'm commenting, and again I can't speak for the community at large, but around the band room, we refer to pointing the bell as doing a body pitch.Tobias087 01:30, 11 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Rehersal Diagrams

I think it would be nice to include a rehersal diagram. Unfortunately, I don't have any from my marching days. I'll see if I can get on from my brother. Prometheus^-X303- 23:05, 22 March 2006 (UTC)

"In some states within the United States, such as Texas, there are actually laws that prohibit high school bands from practicing too much, in order to avoid injuring or overworking students. Texas has something called the 'Eight Hour Rule' which states that no marching band can spend more than 8 hours per week, including full band rehearsals, sectionals, and time before competitions, rehearsing. The things that do not count towards the 8 hours are competitions, parades, and football games." Wow - is this true?! I don't think you could get much done...our band only reherses about 14 hours a week and it is difficult to learn all the new drill in time. TCR

Yes it is true in Texas, however actual class time is not considered part of the 8 hours, so many block schedules have 2 classes of band spread out on alternating days.BQZip01 06:49, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Lead Picture

Hello, I think the article can benefit from a lead picture, so I added one. If another picture would be better, please suggest it or make the switch. Thanks! Johntex\^talk 20:40, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

• Yes, it seems reasonable to have an image at the top of the page. The one you picked is Ok. Force10 18:05, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Instruments

Some band types talk about what instruments they use, and some don't. Should we have a section just on instruments used? Force10 18:09, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Lists of Bands in the article

Let's not get carried away with listing every band that matches a certain category (in the March step and HBCU areas for example). One to three representative bands should be sufficient for the purposes of the article. Upholder 05:29, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

I've pruned the article a bit so that no list was longer than three bands and tried to choose examples from different conferences and traditions. Upholder 05:02, 18 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Class Question

I am aware that classes (A,AA,AAA,AAAA,) are correct, but isn't there a number/rule for (AAAAA,AAAAAA)? I may be wrong. Bfissa 18:41, 9 September 2006 (UTC)

I'm not sure if this is the proper place for this, but why is there so much about Texas high school bands under Local Competitions? I don't feel comfortable deleting someone's work, but it seems overly specific in an article titled "Marching band."

Agree. That really needs to go, but I'm not sure where. Hate to delete something like that, but I can't think of anywhere appropriate. Any ideas (or votes), anyone else? Kith 19:55, 23 September 2006 (UTC)

Agree - There are other subpages for various competitions, This should be a seperate page along those lines. I'll make that change now. -- Upholder 20:16, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

Turns out there was a page already existing for the University Interscholastic League. The text here didn't easily fit into that article (although that is the appropriate place, IMHO) so I put it on the talk page for that article so that it could be integrated by someone closer to the subject. - Upholder 20:33, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Throwing metal stick?

How to you spell that throwing metal stick that Marching bands have where that person stands in front of everybody throwing it in the air???

You mean a baton?johnpseudo 17:01, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

Yeah, i think s/he means Military Baton/Mace. . . They're not allways metal. Matter afact, most are fiberglass. I know peakocks marching world (sp?) sells a flexi metal Military Baton. He or she may also mean the baton soloist. --70.38.103.150 22:54, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Discussion of 'Firsts'

I added two citations to the claim that was added about the Marching Illini being the first to perform a halftime field show in 1907, but they are not first class references. I do know that the origin of that claim is in a relatively rare book published in the 1940-50s: "Hail to the Orange" that chronicles the history of University of Illinois bands -- I had borrowed it at one point but don't currently have easy access to a copy. More to the point, I don't know that such claims are appropriate for the overall Marching Band article. They may be more appropriate on individual band pages. Please discuss below. -- Upholder 22:40, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

A bit misleading. I know the Texas A&M band performed at football games in 1894, but they did nothing more than stand and play. They did march out onto the field, though. Either way, this needs to be substantiated, deleted, or moved to the article about the IlliniBQZip01 06:52, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Variations of Roll Steps

I feel that there should be a section devoted to the numerous variations upon the roll step, as there is one for the high step. With the majority of bands using roll steps, catering to the minority may not be acceptable. Aang-kai 04:15, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

• If you can provide greater specificity regarding variations on the roll step, by all means add them. They may get trimmed at some point if the article gets gone through for citations, but better in than out, I say. Mr Bound 04:18, 20 January 2007 (UTC)
  • One type of roll step is which the leg is kept perfect straight, with no bend in the knee whatsoever (or at least what you would call a bend) such as the style used by the Boston Crusaders. Another style is the polar opposite, in which there is a greater extent of bend, such as the style usedby the Caveliers of Rosemont. The middle ground is the style of the Crossmen, in which noticable bend is present, however, not to the extent of the Caveliers. I am unsure of how to exactly describe such movements, but I know there is a difference Aang-kai 22:14, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Biased Article

Referring to User Dave Fried, this article not only contains irrelevant information (e.g. reference to drum corps in the marching band section)and contains biaed opinion and info too.

Apart from this, the EMPHASIS is stongly on the marching band scene over in the United states, featuring American-style bands (e.g Uni & College bands) which are essentially "Percussion and Brass marching bands".

In addition, the types of bands was badly categorized in a way that they "overlap" (repetition) and enter an irrelevant region- e.g. mentioning of drum corps, modern comedy bands and carnival bands which are essentially, types that barely satisfy the criteria of a "marching band".

There is MINIMAL reference to the history and nature of the widely popular, comparatively old and authentic form- European-style marching bands ; to be exact only one vague reference to Pipe bands and another of UK-style Carnival bands as well as indirect hints in the Militrary bands section. The Scottish Pipe bands were, de facto, the oldest and earliest form of marching/military formation, and clearly deserves a larger coverage than this.

The influences and effects of the Marching band culture on the society should be explained with detail and evidence.

Apart from this, there should be Sections dedicated to the:

• Marching formations, marching and stepping styles etc
  • Particular instrument-sections: Percussion- Snarl, Tenor, Bass...etc, Brass, Woodwinds, Pipes.
    • Summary of the diffeence between the traditional European Marching bands and their more liberal American derivatives.

WiKID Daryl (non user)

WiKID, please get an online name (VERY easy to do) so we can discuss your objections better. If you feel the article is lacking, please add to it. That's what wikipedia is all about. BQZip01 14:40, 12 March 2007 (UTC)