Let's hear it for the marching band

Thanksgiving Day often means a trip to your old stomping grounds, and watching your high school football team!  At halftime though, another hard working group takes to the field – the marching band! 

The Rhode Show learned first hand how the ensemble goes from the first steps to a full out performance!

The band director starts off looking at and listening to a variety of music. After he chooses the pieces for the show, he will then draw up a drill chart to create the visual aspect of the performance. The band will read through their music, and also learn the drill movements, piece by piece.

They will utilize the roll step, where the heel gently goes to the ground with the toe pointed up. It then rolls forward onto the toes, creating a fluid and smooth step.  

When band members need to march in a certain direction, but they want their sound to face the audience, they will rotate their bodies at the waist so that their upper portion of their body faces the direction of play.  This type of movement is called sliding.

Collegiate marching bands will do several different shows per season, whereas a high school marching band will generally do one show – and perfect it over the fall months.