Band Terminology

Is your student coming home talking about drill? What on earth is auxiliary? And who exactly is gacking the field?

Click below to learn ALL the things your child is talking about when they come home from MB rehearsal.

Band Glossary of Terms

Calendar Events Explained

The band calendar can be tricky. But it is your #1 source of information regarding all band events.

Let's break it down. 

1. Go to tohsband.org
2. Click on "calendar"
3. Hover over the event you are interested in.
4. When you get the arrow for a clickable link, CLICK!
5. All the information you need is right there!

Sometimes there might not be additional information.

Here's what rehearsal names mean:

1. MB Rehearsal - Percussion Sectional PERCUSSION ONLY! Everyone else is off that day.
2. MB Rehearsal - Sectionals (No Percussion) EVERYONE except percussion. The musicians practice music in sections. Percussion is off that day.
3. MB Rehearsal - Visual Focus In general, the musicians are practicing drill on field while color guard and pit practice separately. This can vary so students should be checking the Slack channel prior to rehearsal. 
4. MB Rehearsal - Full Ensemble In general, this means the entire band (including color guard) are adding music to drill on the field. Again, this may vary so students should be checking the Slack channel prior to rehearsal. 
5. MB Camp - That's everyone! These will occur most Saturdays in the fall until competition season gets underway. This will generally run 8:30-5 with a 1-1.5 hour lunch break. Detailed schedules will be posted 3-5 days prior. 

Competition Days:

Final schedules for competition days won't be posted until a few days prior. This is because the Band Staff don't receive final information any earlier that that. 

In general, here is what you can expect:

• Rehearsal in the morning (call time is usually 8/8:30 am)
• Break for lunch (1-1.5 hours)
• Call time in the early afternoon to don uniforms
• Many many hours at competition location. The band typically arrives 2+ hours prior to their slated performance time and stays through awards.
• Return to campus is usually between 10pm and midnight, depending on size of competition and distance. 

Meals and Snacks

Football game days:

Students will receive a dinner break between rehearsal and the game. Students are highly encouraged to bring dinner with them and eat with other band members. In some cases, a parent may donate a meal. This information will be included in the calendar event details a few days prior.

Please email food@tohsband.org if you are interested in sponsoring a football game night dinner. 

Snacks will be provided at half time. Students generally have 3rd quarter "off" and may purchase food that is for sale at the stadium.

Students MUST bring a reusable water bottle with them. Booster parents will fill water bottles from big jugs as needed. 

Extended Rehearsals/Saturday Camps:

In general, the students will be given a 1-1.5 hour meal break during these rehearsals. Like football game nights, students are encouraged to bring a meal with them so they can eat and socialize with the other members of the band. 

In select situations, dinner may be provided by the boosters during Friday evening extended rehearsals. This will be noted in the calendar event.

If you are interested in sponsoring a meal for the band, please email food@tohsband.org

Competition Days:

Students will get a lunch break between morning rehearsal and call time for the competition. They should eat a hearty lunch.

Students will be provided dinner by the Boosters at the competition. Please keep in mind that this generally occurs AFTER the performance time, which can be several hours after the lunch break. If your student tends to get hungry frequently, you might want to consider sending a snack or two with your student. 

Students should ALWAYS have a reusable water bottle with them. Boosters will refill water bottles from larger jugs as needed. 

Students may also bring money with them so they can patronize the food vendors at the competitions. They generally will have time between the performance and awards to get a snack if they desire. We encourage our students (and parents!) to patronize these vendors as each competition is a fundraiser for the host band.