Robertsdale High School Band Marching Manual       In order to create a clean effect on the field, a band must develop a clear marching style and technique. This manual is designed to explain, in detail, the marching style adopted by the Robertsdale High School Golden Bear Marching Band. Each leader in the band should study this guide to better understand the style.  Careful execution of the fundamentals described in this manual will help create a uniform look in the ensemble.      Parade Rest:  When you hear or see this command from the drum major you should: 1.      Stop talking 2.      Fall in with your feet shoulder width apart, feet at a 45 degree angle (position 1), your head down, shoulders back, and your left hand over your right. (right hand should be made into a fist)  Section leaders will decide how to execute this position with your instrument in your hand.   Attention:  The command for attention:  A Vocal command 1.      The vocal command is “Band, ten-hut.”  This is a 4-count command.  On count 1 of the next measure you respond, “one,” and move to the attention position. (Your left foot moves in on count 1) You should be still; quiet and the ears are listening.   Note:  Being quiet and being still simply means being quiet and being still. You are not to talk, scratch, or move in any way.  Also, “one” is a one-syllable word. The drum major, director(s), and audience should hear you say “one,” (thus the meaning of the word response).   Attention Posture:  Your feet are at a 45 degree angle (position 2), your back is straight, your shoulders are back, down, and relaxed, and your chin is ten degrees above parallel to the ground.  Your left hand stays over your right fist and comes up on count 1 in front of your face as if your were playing a bell front instrument.  (Everyone does this when your instruments are grounded)  Section leaders will decide how to execute this position with your instrument in you hand.                 Horns up and Horns down:     1.  Follow the drum major’s hands for horns up.  “Horns down” at the end of a tune is dictated by the music.  Instructions will be given during rehearsal.  2.  Vocal Command:  “Band, horns, up” 4 count command.  The band will respond “up” on count 1. 3.  Silent horns up.  Drum major will conduct 4 beats.  The next 4 beats the band will initiate the horns up.  Use the same procedure for horns down.   Horn Angles:  As a general rule all bell front instruments will be held at 10 degrees above parallel.  Angles may change to create different effects during the show.     Horn facings:  Horns should face perpendicular to the sideline.  The horns should angle in facing behind the press box anytime the marcher is outside of the 40-yard line.  Horn facings may be changed to create different effects in the show.   Mark Time:  The drum major command is “Mark Time Mark” This is a three count command.  On the and of count 4 you respond “UP” and the left foot comes up on the and of count 4. (Vocal response is used in rehearsal only)  Marking time should be a very fluid motion.  The toe stays on the ground and the heel comes off the ground two inches.  The anklebones should pass each other on the “ands or ups” of the beat.  Sub-divide in your head to insure the ensemble is exactly together.  Be sure not to accentuate the up beats with your legs.  Mark time will only be called while your toes are together (position 3)     Roll Step:  The “roll step” is a heel-to-toe motion.  You should roll from the heel through the center of your foot to the toe.  The toe should be stretched up toward the sky as far as possible.  (Stretching exercises will help you become more flexible) This is done to control your body weight and avoid discomfort.  Use a normal “straight leg” stride.  Avoid bending your knee too much during the stride. Lift from the hips to begin the stride and use your heel to cushion each step.  When done correctly the upper body should remain motionless during your stride.  This should make it possible for you to move and play without bouncing.   8-to-5 Stride:  This simply means that you should take 8 steps to every five yards.  This equals a 22 and one-half inch step.  This is the size stride that we use as a point of reference.  It is slightly smaller than a normal walking stride.  There are other strides that will be used during the marching show.  Ex. 6-to-5 stride or 7-to-5 stride.             Forward March: The drum major command is “Forward March” This is a 4 count command. 1.      When given this command the left foot will lead with the first step on the “and” of count four and touch down with the heel on count 1.  The vocal response will be “and one.”  (Vocal response will be used in rehearsals only)   Backward March:  The drum major command is “Backward March” This is a 4 count command.  Backward marching is executed on the balls (platforms) of the feet.  The vocal response will be “and one.”  1.      You will come up on count 4 (and say up on count 4). You will then start to move your left foot back on the and of count 4.  (Vocal response will be used in rehearsals only) Note:  The marcher who is executing the backward march maneuver will always have the right of way to the marcher executing the forward march maneuver.       Touch and Go:  This is a technique used to change direction from forward march to backward march while you’re moving.  The marcher should freeze all of the body weight on the count before the stop.  The next foot simply extends and the toe is lightly placed on the ground with none of the body weight on the next count.  The marcher freezes for one count and continues marching in the opposite direction on count two.           Right and Left Slide:  This is a technique used while marching the show.  It is designed to allow the bell of your instrument to remain facing the audience during a left of right move.  Your feet follow the direction of movement while the upper body remains parallel to the sideline.  The marcher should learn to execute this move in both forward and backward march.   Direction Change:  This is a technique used to change direction from forward march slide to backward march slide while you are moving. 1.      To change direction from forward march left slide to backward march left slide the marcher should place the right foot on the ground perpendicular to the sideline on the last count before the next count sequence.  This will initiate the body turn.  The left foot should be placed in the new direction (backward) on count one of the next count sequence. 2.      To change direction from forward march right slide to backward march right slide the marcher should place the left foot on the ground perpendicular to the sideline on the second to last count before the next count sequence.  This will initiate the body turn.  The right foot should be placed in the new direction (backward) on the last count of the first count sequence.  The change of direction is finished on the first count of the next count sequence. (This move may also be initiated in the same manner as number one, placing the right foot perpendicular to the sideline on the last count of the sequence and finishing the direction change on count one of the new sequence with the left foot.  Tempo will be the determining factor.) 3.      To change direction from backward march left slide to forward march left slide the marcher should place the right foot on the ground perpendicular to the sideline on the last count before the next count sequence.  This will initiate the body turn.  The left foot should be placed in the new direction (forward) on count one of the next count sequence. 4.      To change direction from backward march right slide to forward march right slide the marcher should place the right foot on the ground perpendicular to the sideline on the last count before the next count sequence.  This will initiate the body turn.  The left foot should be placed in the new direction (forward) on count one of the next count sequence. Note:  The design of the show and direction in which the marcher is traveling will always dictate the change of direction.  Marchers will be told when to change direction and at which point on the field a direction change will occur.  Sometimes we will do this as an ensemble and sometimes individually at a specific point on the field.  In addition, the foot that the direction change begins will depend on the number of counts in a count sequence.  The above descriptions were based on 8 count phrases.  Count sequences made up of odd numbers will shift all changes to the opposite foot!   Many techniques concerning colorguard and percussion are different from the techniques described in this manual.  Students in these sections should consult their instructors or section leaders for clarification.  This manual is meant to be a guide to the section leader or instructor.  All guidelines are subject to change at any time by the band director.

Robertsdale High School Band Marching Manual       In order to create a clean effect on the field, a band must develop a clear marching style and technique. This manual is designed to explain, in detail, the marching style adopted by the Robertsdale High School Golden Bear Marching Band. Each leader in the band should study this guide to better understand the style.  Careful execution of the fundamentals described in this manual will help create a uniform look in the ensemble.      Parade Rest:  When you hear or see this command from the drum major you should: 1.      Stop talking 2.      Fall in with your feet shoulder width apart, feet at a 45 degree angle (position 1), your head down, shoulders back, and your left hand over your right. (right hand should be made into a fist)  Section leaders will decide how to execute this position with your instrument in your hand.   Attention:  The command for attention:  A Vocal command 1.      The vocal command is “Band, ten-hut.”  This is a 4-count command.  On count 1 of the next measure you respond, “one,” and move to the attention position. (Your left foot moves in on count 1) You should be still; quiet and the ears are listening.   Note:  Being quiet and being still simply means being quiet and being still. You are not to talk, scratch, or move in any way.  Also, “one” is a one-syllable word. The drum major, director(s), and audience should hear you say “one,” (thus the meaning of the word response).   Attention Posture:  Your feet are at a 45 degree angle (position 2), your back is straight, your shoulders are back, down, and relaxed, and your chin is ten degrees above parallel to the ground.  Your left hand stays over your right fist and comes up on count 1 in front of your face as if your were playing a bell front instrument.  (Everyone does this when your instruments are grounded)  Section leaders will decide how to execute this position with your instrument in you hand.                 Horns up and Horns down:     1.  Follow the drum major’s hands for horns up.  “Horns down” at the end of a tune is dictated by the music.  Instructions will be given during rehearsal.  2.  Vocal Command:  “Band, horns, up” 4 count command.  The band will respond “up” on count 1. 3.  Silent horns up.  Drum major will conduct 4 beats.  The next 4 beats the band will initiate the horns up.  Use the same procedure for horns down.   Horn Angles:  As a general rule all bell front instruments will be held at 10 degrees above parallel.  Angles may change to create different effects during the show.     Horn facings:  Horns should face perpendicular to the sideline.  The horns should angle in facing behind the press box anytime the marcher is outside of the 40-yard line.  Horn facings may be changed to create different effects in the show.   Mark Time:  The drum major command is “Mark Time Mark” This is a three count command.  On the and of count 4 you respond “UP” and the left foot comes up on the and of count 4. (Vocal response is used in rehearsal only)  Marking time should be a very fluid motion.  The toe stays on the ground and the heel comes off the ground two inches.  The anklebones should pass each other on the “ands or ups” of the beat.  Sub-divide in your head to insure the ensemble is exactly together.  Be sure not to accentuate the up beats with your legs.  Mark time will only be called while your toes are together (position 3)     Roll Step:  The “roll step” is a heel-to-toe motion.  You should roll from the heel through the center of your foot to the toe.  The toe should be stretched up toward the sky as far as possible.  (Stretching exercises will help you become more flexible) This is done to control your body weight and avoid discomfort.  Use a normal “straight leg” stride.  Avoid bending your knee too much during the stride. Lift from the hips to begin the stride and use your heel to cushion each step.  When done correctly the upper body should remain motionless during your stride.  This should make it possible for you to move and play without bouncing.   8-to-5 Stride:  This simply means that you should take 8 steps to every five yards.  This equals a 22 and one-half inch step.  This is the size stride that we use as a point of reference.  It is slightly smaller than a normal walking stride.  There are other strides that will be used during the marching show.  Ex. 6-to-5 stride or 7-to-5 stride.             Forward March: The drum major command is “Forward March” This is a 4 count command. 1.      When given this command the left foot will lead with the first step on the “and” of count four and touch down with the heel on count 1.  The vocal response will be “and one.”  (Vocal response will be used in rehearsals only)   Backward March:  The drum major command is “Backward March” This is a 4 count command.  Backward marching is executed on the balls (platforms) of the feet.  The vocal response will be “and one.”  1.      You will come up on count 4 (and say up on count 4). You will then start to move your left foot back on the and of count 4.  (Vocal response will be used in rehearsals only) Note:  The marcher who is executing the backward march maneuver will always have the right of way to the marcher executing the forward march maneuver.       Touch and Go:  This is a technique used to change direction from forward march to backward march while you’re moving.  The marcher should freeze all of the body weight on the count before the stop.  The next foot simply extends and the toe is lightly placed on the ground with none of the body weight on the next count.  The marcher freezes for one count and continues marching in the opposite direction on count two.           Right and Left Slide:  This is a technique used while marching the show.  It is designed to allow the bell of your instrument to remain facing the audience during a left of right move.  Your feet follow the direction of movement while the upper body remains parallel to the sideline.  The marcher should learn to execute this move in both forward and backward march.   Direction Change:  This is a technique used to change direction from forward march slide to backward march slide while you are moving. 1.      To change direction from forward march left slide to backward march left slide the marcher should place the right foot on the ground perpendicular to the sideline on the last count before the next count sequence.  This will initiate the body turn.  The left foot should be placed in the new direction (backward) on count one of the next count sequence. 2.      To change direction from forward march right slide to backward march right slide the marcher should place the left foot on the ground perpendicular to the sideline on the second to last count before the next count sequence.  This will initiate the body turn.  The right foot should be placed in the new direction (backward) on the last count of the first count sequence.  The change of direction is finished on the first count of the next count sequence. (This move may also be initiated in the same manner as number one, placing the right foot perpendicular to the sideline on the last count of the sequence and finishing the direction change on count one of the new sequence with the left foot.  Tempo will be the determining factor.) 3.      To change direction from backward march left slide to forward march left slide the marcher should place the right foot on the ground perpendicular to the sideline on the last count before the next count sequence.  This will initiate the body turn.  The left foot should be placed in the new direction (forward) on count one of the next count sequence. 4.      To change direction from backward march right slide to forward march right slide the marcher should place the right foot on the ground perpendicular to the sideline on the last count before the next count sequence.  This will initiate the body turn.  The left foot should be placed in the new direction (forward) on count one of the next count sequence. Note:  The design of the show and direction in which the marcher is traveling will always dictate the change of direction.  Marchers will be told when to change direction and at which point on the field a direction change will occur.  Sometimes we will do this as an ensemble and sometimes individually at a specific point on the field.  In addition, the foot that the direction change begins will depend on the number of counts in a count sequence.  The above descriptions were based on 8 count phrases.  Count sequences made up of odd numbers will shift all changes to the opposite foot!   Many techniques concerning colorguard and percussion are different from the techniques described in this manual.  Students in these sections should consult their instructors or section leaders for clarification.  This manual is meant to be a guide to the section leader or instructor.  All guidelines are subject to change at any time by the band director.