Frequently Asked Questions
What are the components of the Marching Band?
Marching Instruments - brass and woodwind
Percussion - drumline and front ensemble (aka pit)
Battery - a subset of drumline
Colorguard - perform with flags, rifles, sabres. The guard is also known as auxiliary.
Why is the Front Ensemble call the Pit?
The term is derived from the orchestra pit seen at concerts - usually located at the front of the stage.
What does the Marching Show consist of?
Three movements: the opening, the ballad and the closer
Marching Instruments - brass and woodwind
Percussion - drumline and front ensemble (aka pit)
Battery - a subset of drumline
Colorguard - perform with flags, rifles, sabres. The guard is also known as auxiliary.
Why is the Front Ensemble call the Pit?
The term is derived from the orchestra pit seen at concerts - usually located at the front of the stage.
What does the Marching Show consist of?
Three movements: the opening, the ballad and the closer
What is the difference in UIL qualifying competitions and marching festivals?
Festivals or invitational competitions are typically a one-day competition where bands pay an entrance fee to compete. The judges rank the bands 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Overall Champions. Bands often receive awards for best colorguard, drumline, marching and music.
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is a system set up by the University of Texas to provide academic, athletic and fine arts competitions for schools throughout the state. The state is divided into 33 geographical regions and larger units - 10 geographical areas. A rating scale is used to judge performances. The bands are given ratings of 1 (superior), 2 (excellent) and 3 (good). Bands that receive a rating of 1 at the Regional competition will move on to the Area competition. The top 5-6 bands from the Area competition qualify for the State competition. The system is set up so that bands have the opportunity to compete at the state level every other year. You can read more on that here. Based on student enrollment, Summit is currently classified by the UIL as a 5A school.
What is an off-site competition?
This is a separate performance and competition for drumline and colorguard. These competitions can be held indoors, usually the same day as the general festival competition at different starting times. For the Guard it is called a Standing, or Standstill, performance. There is no marching and the performance is accompanied by a recording of the show music.
What are the competition categories?
General Effect, Marching Performance, Percussion, Brass, Woodwinds and Auxiliary. Awards are given for these individual categories and if a group wins several of these, especially General Effect, the result is usually the Overall Championship.
Festivals or invitational competitions are typically a one-day competition where bands pay an entrance fee to compete. The judges rank the bands 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Overall Champions. Bands often receive awards for best colorguard, drumline, marching and music.
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is a system set up by the University of Texas to provide academic, athletic and fine arts competitions for schools throughout the state. The state is divided into 33 geographical regions and larger units - 10 geographical areas. A rating scale is used to judge performances. The bands are given ratings of 1 (superior), 2 (excellent) and 3 (good). Bands that receive a rating of 1 at the Regional competition will move on to the Area competition. The top 5-6 bands from the Area competition qualify for the State competition. The system is set up so that bands have the opportunity to compete at the state level every other year. You can read more on that here. Based on student enrollment, Summit is currently classified by the UIL as a 5A school.
What is an off-site competition?
This is a separate performance and competition for drumline and colorguard. These competitions can be held indoors, usually the same day as the general festival competition at different starting times. For the Guard it is called a Standing, or Standstill, performance. There is no marching and the performance is accompanied by a recording of the show music.
What are the competition categories?
General Effect, Marching Performance, Percussion, Brass, Woodwinds and Auxiliary. Awards are given for these individual categories and if a group wins several of these, especially General Effect, the result is usually the Overall Championship.
What is All-District and All-Region?
All-District, All-Region, All-Area and All-State competitions are governed by the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and are not directly related to the UIL. All students work on the same predetermined etudes for their instrument and audition individually. Judges listen to each audition and rate students for selection to the All-District and All-Region bands. Selected students will be awarded chair order for clinics and concerts that take place later in the school year. The top chairs in the All-District bands qualify for All-Region. Students for the All-State band are selected from the All-Region bands. Students from Summit are consistent members of the All-Region bands with several progressing each year to the All-State level.
All-District, All-Region, All-Area and All-State competitions are governed by the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and are not directly related to the UIL. All students work on the same predetermined etudes for their instrument and audition individually. Judges listen to each audition and rate students for selection to the All-District and All-Region bands. Selected students will be awarded chair order for clinics and concerts that take place later in the school year. The top chairs in the All-District bands qualify for All-Region. Students for the All-State band are selected from the All-Region bands. Students from Summit are consistent members of the All-Region bands with several progressing each year to the All-State level.
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What do students work on in their band class during the day?
Marching show music, concert music and preparation for All-District and All-Region auditions. Periodically, there are master classes for each section. These master classes are taught by a variety of instrument specialists. Sections refine technique and blend. Colorguard focuses on equipment technique, show work and dance sectionals. |
What do band members wear to football games?
The band usually wears the formal marching uniform at football games. Students should arrive at the band hall on game night for warm-up and rehearsal wearing their band t-shirts, athletic shorts and marching shoes. Colorguard will change into their uniform right before the halftime show and will wear their guard shirts and wind suits in the stands. They will be changing at the stadium so they will need to have their supplies and accessories in their Summit duffel bags.
Each student should have the following items at every event:
Band - gloves, marching shoes, black socks, band shirt, instrument and music. Guard - makeup, mirror, hairspray, bobby pins, hair net (correct color), brush or comb, safety pins, sewing kit, electrician’s tape (white and black) and fray check.
The band usually wears the formal marching uniform at football games. Students should arrive at the band hall on game night for warm-up and rehearsal wearing their band t-shirts, athletic shorts and marching shoes. Colorguard will change into their uniform right before the halftime show and will wear their guard shirts and wind suits in the stands. They will be changing at the stadium so they will need to have their supplies and accessories in their Summit duffel bags.
Each student should have the following items at every event:
Band - gloves, marching shoes, black socks, band shirt, instrument and music. Guard - makeup, mirror, hairspray, bobby pins, hair net (correct color), brush or comb, safety pins, sewing kit, electrician’s tape (white and black) and fray check.
Where do parents sit at football games?
Chaperones will sit beside the band in the stands just beyond their block seating. Parents may sit anywhere outside the blocked seats and are encouraged to cheer as loud as they can in support of our students. They can definitely hear you while performing on the field.
Do the students get a break during the game?
Yes. Immediately following the halftime performance, band members assemble in a designated area. Boosters distribute snacks and drinks to the students. Students return to the stands when there are approximately 3:00 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter.
What are volunteer 'points' and how can they help me save on the band fee?
Each band student pays a fee. In recent years, the fee has been $300 per student. Parents and students can volunteer - earning points - to waive $100 of the band fee. The band requires families earn 10 points per student to get the discount. Points can be earned throughout the year by volunteering with the band in many capacities: bus chaperone, donating food and drinks for games and contests, attending booster meetings, etc. You can keep track of your points in the Charms system by clicking on the 'volunteers' tab and entering your hours. When you sign in at an event or put your name on a list for donating food, a booster should update your hours, but it's a good idea to double check so your hard work is rewarded!
Who takes those awesome photos of the band and do I have to pay for them?
Once you look at the photos, you'll probably be thinking, WOW! Those are professional-quality images! Do I have to pay for them? The answer is no. Booster dad, John Mowry, volunteers his time to take photos of the band at these events and generously offers them free of charge on the SmugMug account. How do you 'get' the photos? Simply download the files to your computer.
Chaperones will sit beside the band in the stands just beyond their block seating. Parents may sit anywhere outside the blocked seats and are encouraged to cheer as loud as they can in support of our students. They can definitely hear you while performing on the field.
Do the students get a break during the game?
Yes. Immediately following the halftime performance, band members assemble in a designated area. Boosters distribute snacks and drinks to the students. Students return to the stands when there are approximately 3:00 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter.
What are volunteer 'points' and how can they help me save on the band fee?
Each band student pays a fee. In recent years, the fee has been $300 per student. Parents and students can volunteer - earning points - to waive $100 of the band fee. The band requires families earn 10 points per student to get the discount. Points can be earned throughout the year by volunteering with the band in many capacities: bus chaperone, donating food and drinks for games and contests, attending booster meetings, etc. You can keep track of your points in the Charms system by clicking on the 'volunteers' tab and entering your hours. When you sign in at an event or put your name on a list for donating food, a booster should update your hours, but it's a good idea to double check so your hard work is rewarded!
Who takes those awesome photos of the band and do I have to pay for them?
Once you look at the photos, you'll probably be thinking, WOW! Those are professional-quality images! Do I have to pay for them? The answer is no. Booster dad, John Mowry, volunteers his time to take photos of the band at these events and generously offers them free of charge on the SmugMug account. How do you 'get' the photos? Simply download the files to your computer.