Band Camp:
Band Camp is held each year during the summer. The students attend Band Camp for two weeks. They concentrate on the new marching and music they must learn for pregame, the half time show, marching competitions, and stand music. Band Camp is conducted by the Band Directors, their assistants, special instructors for each instrument, and an alumni student staff selected by the Directors. The students are supervised by a host of parents who chaperone and attend to their needs. Students need to come to band camp prepared to be in the summer heat all day long. Physical exercise to prepare you for band camp is recommended. There is a mandatory meeting during Band Camp where students and parents are advised about band camp and the band program. 100% band camp attendance is required by all members.
Band (rehearsal) Field:
The field in front of the school where the band practices everyday for their half time show.
Band Captain:
Highest ranking wind and percussion leadership member. Section Leaders and band members in the wind and percussion section must follow their commands. This position is selected by the band directors.
Battery:
Another term for the drum line. It consists of bass, snare, and tenor drums.
Be the Example:
The motto of the James Clemens Band. We strive to “Be the Example” in everything we do.
Booster Board:
A group of volunteers who oversee the James Clemens Booster Organization. Positions in the booster board include President, Vice President of Fundraising, Vice President of Volunteers, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Booster Meeting:
Monthly meeting that typically occurs once a month in the band room. The Board and executive committee chairs present reports and updates on events going on. You can find out how to volunteer or be an active part of the band at these meetings. You can also find out about current and future events.
Booster Drop Box:
Any time you or your student owes money or a form, it should be placed in the booster drop box. The booster drop box is located in the band room across from the band office.
Charms:
A web-based software program that we use to communicate with those in the marching band. It is very important that you keep your information up to date, and you know the dates on the calendar. Students can access music, drill charts, and forms on Charms. Parents can access forms, booster meeting minutes, and other band related info on the website. charmsoffice.com
Color Guard:
This term applies to the young people who showcase the band during marching performances by dancing, spinning flags, throwing rifles, etc. Their uniform is different, but the Color Guard unit is a regular section of the marching band
Competition Band:
The Competition Marching Band is the fall semester’s competitive ensemble and will compete in 2-3 marching competitions, in addition to performing at all football games, parades, and other marching band events. The CMB will consist of all selected auxiliary members, and auditioned wind and percussion members that have successfully passed a performance evaluation based on playing ability as well as marching ability.
Concert Band:
The 2nd large ensemble at JCHS that begins at the end of marching season. This group is determined by audition.
Committee:
A group of parent volunteers assigned to a certain task by the booster board. Committees include hospitality, logistics, uniform, fundraising, chaperones, sounds of the stadium, sponsorships, concessions, and spirit nights.
Dance Team:
This term applies to the young people who showcase the band during marching performances through dance. Their uniform is different, but the Dance Team is a regular section of the marching band.
Directors:
They have total control and supervision of the band program. Please note that certain sections also require specialists, such as Percussion and Color Guard. These specialists work with the Director(s) and are under their supervision.
Drill:
Refers to the placement of the performers on the performance field. Each performer uses ‘X’ and ‘Y’ coordinates to find their position on the field (grid).
Drill book / dot book:
The book (or piece of paper) that has an individuals drill spots for the half time show. There are typically 60-70 different “dots” a performer must know during a full halftime show.
Drum Major:
Highest ranking band leadership member that is in charge of all students on the marching band field. All Section Leaders and all band members must follow their commands. Drum majors conduct the half time show. Drum Major(s) is chosen through an audition in April. You must have at least 1 full year experience in the James Clemens marching band to audition.
Excellence, Integrity, Unity:
The three pillars in which are instilled in all members of the James Clemens Band.
Full Band:
Any activity referred to as “full band” includes ALL brass, woodwinds, percussion (including pit), guard members, and dance team.
Fundraiser:
A term which needs no definition. Because no money comes to our program from the school system, we are mostly self-funding. Because of this, students are involved in several fund-raisers each year (concessions, Madison Music Camp, spirit nights, individually sold items, etc.). It is not enough that the student earns money; we must also involve parents in all aspects of fund-raising.
Gauntlet:
The part of the marching uniform that covers the wrist area. These are extra uniform pieces that the students will receive at the game from the uniform moms. They will return these immediately after the game or sometimes immediately after halftime.
Marching Band:
All students enrolled in Fall Band are in Marching Band. Marching band performs at parades, pregame, in the stands at games, and additional performances as announced. Marching band members come to some, but not all of the after school rehearsal as announced by the directors. Students do not perform at competitions and most halftime performances (see competition marching band).
Marching Competition:
During marching season, the band traditionally attends two or three marching competitions where the band is judged as a whole and individual sections of the band on their marching, precision, musical ability, general effect, etc. Parents are encouraged to attend, even though they may be held in neighboring states or cities. These typically occur on Saturdays in October, but can sometimes occur in late September or early November. If a student cannot go to a marching competition, they can not be in competition band.
Marching Season:
The part of the school year lasting through November, unless the Director(s) accept an invitation for the band to attend some other function after that time. You would be given ample notice of any extra activities. Marching season typically ends after the last football game.
MPA:
Acronym for Music Performance Assessment. The Alabama State concert band festival that the James Clemens Band (winter ensemble and concert band) attends yearly.
Percussion Ensemble:
Spring semester ensemble consisting of all percussion students. They perform concerts in the spring. This is a concert (non-marching) ensemble.
Pit/Front Ensemble:
Those students who play the stationary percussion instruments on the front sideline of the field. Students who play a non-marching instrument (oboe, bassoon) may choose to participate in marching band by playing in the pit.
Plume:
The feather on top of the marching band hat (see Shako).
Section:
Each instrument group or unit of the band. (i.e. Flutes, Trombones, Color Guard)
Section Leader:
Appointed by the band directors to be in charge of his/her section of the band.
Sectional:
A rehearsal called by the Student Leader of each section. All students in a section are expected to attend all Sectionals.
Shako:
Marching band hat worn at all performances.
Volunteer:
No experience necessary; just bring hands. We will guide you as much as possible but, remember, we need fresh ideas – YOURS! Don’t be intimidated or shy – WE NEED YOU! You can volunteer anytime. Committee sign ups typically occur at the first booster meeting of the year.
Winter Clinic:
All students participating in a concert band are expected to attend Winter Clinic. Winter Clinic is a 3 day (Thursday – Saturday) concert band camp. Often your students will work with guest clinicians and conductors.
Wind Ensemble:
The advanced concert band. Students are selected by Audition.
Winter Guard:
An extension of the Color Guard activity, students participate in choreographed indoor performances that take place January-April. Taped music is used for these performances.
Winds:
Any instrument that uses air to produce a sound. All Brass and Woodwind instruments are ‘winds.’ Do not confuse this term with “woodwinds.”