CHS Band Terminology
Hello CHS band family! If you are new to band, or recently transferred to CISD, you may be hearing a lot of new terminology. We consolidated common terminology here for you! Please reach out to the Band Boosters if you have more questions.
MARCHING SEASON - marching band begins in late July (summer band camp) and continues through approximately November. Students play their instruments and perform a show on the football field during half time, and play music in the stands during the football game. In addition, we prepare our show for contests. Exact contests we will attend will be announced from the band directors and then placed on our band calendar.
UIL - This is an acronym for University Interscholastic League, which is the organization that governs high school competitions. We compete against other high schools for marching band and concert band at UIL contests. You will also hear this terms used for any kind of inter-school high school competitions like sports, choir, theater, etc.
BOA - Bands of America - this is a large nationwide band contest, with contests around the country throughout the year. Often CHS attends the BOA contest in San Antonio.
Our Marching Bands
VARSITY - during marching season, we are split into two bands, one is Varsity (consists majority of older more experienced students, as well as freshmen). Students audition in the springtime, for each of the two bands. The Varsity band directors are Ms. Shuttlesworth (head band director) and Mr. Mohammed (aka "Mr. Mo", assistant band director). Varsity includes winds, percussion, and color guard. The Varsity band will perform during Varsity football games and at additional marching contests.
JV (also called Junior Varsity) - for marching, there are two bands, one is JV (consists of majority of freshmen as well as students in 10th, 11th, 12th). Students will audition in the springtime, for each of the two bands. The JV band assistant directors are Mrs. McCutcheon (CHS9) and Mr. Slovak (CHS). JV includes winds and percussion. The JV band will perform during Varsity football games and at additional marching contests.
Musical Terminology
WINDS - players who play an instrument where they blow air through the instrument to play music. This refers to all brass and woodwinds combined.
BRASS - players who play a family of instruments that have a round metal mouthpiece that presses on the outside of the mouth, player blows into it in a specific way to make sound. There is no reed for these instruments. All of these instruments are made of shiny metal (gold or silver)
WOODWIND - players who play a family of instruments that are often made of wood (exceptions are flute and saxophone which are made of metal) and use a reed (piece of bamboo) that players will place into their mouth to blow (exception is flute does not have a reed).
COLOR GUARD - (also called guard) during marching season, the color guard performs with band using flags, wooden rifles, sabers, ribbons, and/or dancing, etc. Color Guard also has a spring/winter season where they perform by themselves on basketball courts, called Winter Guard. Mr. Lum is our color guard assistant band director.
PERCUSSION - (also called drumline) players who play one or more of many instruments - including drums, marimbas, triangles, symbols. Some instruments march on the field (called "battery" - snare, bass, tenors), while others play on the front sidelines (called "front ensemble"). Students will play either in the Varsity percussion group or the JV percussion group. Mr. Nguyen is our percussion assistant band director.
BATTERY - the name of the subset of percussion that includes snare drum, tenor drums (also sometimes called quads or quints), and bass drums.
FRONT ENSEMBLE - the name of the subset of percussion that stands in the front of the field (sidelines) and plays marimbas or other percussion instruments. These students do not move around the field.
SHOW or PROGRAM or DRILL - the combination of music and marching that each band performs during marching season. Each band will spend marching season learning and perfecting their program. Varsity and JV each perform their own different show.
LEADERSHIP - (also called student leadership) interested students apply and interview for positions to be leaders in the band. Includes all students who take a leadership role within the band, such as like drum majors, section leaders, band president, etc.
DRUM MAJOR - during marching season, student drum majors audition and several are selected. They conduct and lead the marching band.
Required Marching Season Band Supplies and terminology
FRESHMAN STARTER PACK - this is a bundle of required supplies for freshmen or new HS band members. It includes the (1) black marching band shoes, (2) black band duffle bag, (3) red water jug, and (4) dri-fit shirt, all of which you can purchase on registration day.
(1) MARCHING SHOES - your child will be measured for their black marching shoes on registration day. These are part of the freshman pack, which you will pay for on registration day. Once the shoes are delivered to you, be sure to write your child’s name on the inside of their shoes, since all ~200 pairs of shoes look exactly the same. These shoes are your child's responsibility all marching season, and you will store these at home. There are no re-orders for these during marching season, so help support your teenager by asking after every game if they brought home both of their marching shoes.
(2) BAND DUFFLE BAG - students will use a black embroidered Coppell Band duffle bag for all games and contests. This is so that the band has a uniform look when we are together as a group. This is included in your freshman pack, and you will purchase on registration day. Please have your child label this! Labeling ideas can be luggage tags, ribbons, etc. ALL of these bags look EXACTLY the same!
(3) RED WATER JUG - this is a large red water bottle/jug that all students must use for all football games and marching contests. This is so the band looks uniform when we are together as a group. If you already have a red water jug from the previous year, continue to use that (you do not need to purchase a new one). Please be certain to label it clearly (large block letters are best!). LABEL LABEL LABEL! All ~400 of these look exactly the same! Note: for rehearsals, your student can use any type of water bottle they like - we suggest at least a half gallon or larger.
(4) DRI-FIT - this is a uniform-like t-shirt that each student will have, and is used in place of the full uniform at times when it is extremely hot (August) or when the performance is more casual (parade). This shirt will be paired with black shorts, black socks, and your own athletic shoes. The DRI-FIT (t-shirt) is included with your freshman pack, and can be picked up on registration day. Please label this shirt when you receive it! Every single shirt looks exactly the same.
BLACK (and/or white) MARCHING GLOVES - black and/or white marching gloves are worn during marching performances. Your child will be measured for their gloves on registration day, and gloves will be delivered later to your child. These gloves are your child's responsibility all marching season, and you will store these at home. If your child loses their gloves and needs replacements, there will be a fee for each extra pair. Please label the inside of your child's gloves!
MARCHING UNIFORM - your child will be measured for their band uniform on registration day. The marching band uniform will be stored AT THE SCHOOL. Your child will not take the uniform home with them. On football game days and contest days, students will get dressed into their marching uniforms at the CHS band hall.
COMPRESSION GEAR - this is stretchy and snug fitting black t-shirt and shorts. Students will wear this under their full band marching uniform. It keeps the uniform cleaner as well as allows the students to put on or take off their band marching uniform with modesty (on buses or in the band hall). You will purchase this on your own before the first football game, it can be found at any store that sells athletic gear, and of course amazon. Please label the shirt and shorts!
LONG BLACK SOCKS - your child will wear long black socks with their uniform. The socks need to be long enough to pull up to the thick part of their calf. You will purchase these on your own, and store them at your home. We suggest you buy multiple pairs if socks often go missing at your home! Label the socks with your child's name! If your child shows up to a performance or competition and needs black socks, our uniform chair will provide them, but your family will be invoiced $5 per pair.
FLIP FOLDER & LYRE - a flip folder is a small "notebook" that can be attached to each instrument (flutes wear on their arm) that has sheet music on it and is a portable music stand. Students can play their instrument while the flip folder holds their music right in front of their eyes. The device that holds the flip folder to the instrument will vary with each instrument (called a lyre). Be sure to watch for an email with information from the directors on what to purchase. You will buy your own, store it at home, and be responsible for it for each game. Please label your child's flip folder and lyre. We recommend that each student place a rubber band around their lyre to keep the pages from blowing in the breeze.
DOT SHIRT - this is a shirt that each student may wear during marching rehearsals, and it has a letter and number. It it so the directors can see who is who from high above (when students move around the football field in their marching show). You will buy this plain white t-shirt on your own, and students or parents can write/paint/print their letter and number on it. The bigger (and thicker letters) the better! Be sure to wait for an email with information from the directors on how to make this shirt, and when to wear it.
SHOW HAIR - guidelines for a specific way that everybody's hair needs to be done for a show or contest (guidance will be provided directors as to when kids need 'show hair' and the exact details).
T-shirts and spirit wear
MERCH, SPIRIT WEAR - (merchandise) these are optional and fun items that the boosters sell for students, parents, and fans to wear. It includes things such as t-shirts, hats, stickers, and signs, etc. You can purchase from our in-stock items on our band website under "MERCH"
PRE-ORDER link, PRE-ORDER website, or PRE-ORDER store - this is a limited opportunity to buy more merchandise (larger selection of colors, different items), a website link is made available and open for only 1-2 weeks. The order link will be communicated through newsletters, WhatsApp chat groups, and also posted on the MERCH website. After the pre-order link closes, the items are printed and then delivered to CHS for pickup. You will be notified when items are ready for pickup.
SHOW SHIRT - t-shirt for students with the Coppell Band logo and show theme on it, provided by directors. Parents sometimes have the option to also buy one.
SPONSOR SHIRT - t-shirt for students with the Coppell Band logo, and all of the current band sponsors, provided by directors. Kids will wear it on certain days (instructions given by directors).
VOLUNTEER SHIRT - t-shirt for parents to wear, when volunteering for a contest. These are only available to parents who signup to volunteer, and need to be purchased (at cost). This includes chaperone, pit crew, and logistics. Once you sign up to help with one of these, the chaperone leads will contact you for a shirt size and to request payment.
SWAG SHIRT - t-shirts for students, parents, and fans, which displays our show theme. These are optional and need to be purchased; they will be made available to all families and fans in a pre-order link website.
More Band Terminology
MASTER CLASS - once weekly special instruction classes for each instrument (may or may not be different from a student's marching instrument), where students practice their all-region music in preparation for the contest. Directors will provide more information with details on when these take place.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS - during marching season at football games and contests, parents are needed to help with chaperone, pit crew, logistics, meal deal, and snacks. Concessions volunteers are needed year-round (middle school, CHS9, JV, and Varsity football, soccer, track, etc).
CONCESSIONS - Help run the concession stand at Buddy Echols Field (the football/soccer/track stadium)
CHAPERONES - Accompany the band to events and assist the band directors and students in many ways
PIT CREW - Help manage props & front percussion ensemble instruments
LOGISTICS - Transporting props & instruments
MEAL DEAL - Serve food to band students before and/or during band events
SNACKS - Obtain snacks (mostly from parent donations) and fill snack bins for hungry band kids during/after band events
BOOSTERS - the amazing volunteer parents who dedicate their time for our band! Learn more HERE.
SHAKO - if you hear this term, it is not relevant for this year’s marching season. It is the uniform band hat.
CONCERT SEASON - the part of the year where the band sits down on stage to play. Concert season begins when marching season ends (usually around November) and continues through the end of the academic year. Terminology for concert season will be added closer to concert season, if it is needed.
MEAL DEAL - Part of each student's band fee covers meals before or during certain band events. For instance, we feed the entire marching band dinner before every home or away football game at which they will be performing. We will let you know when food is being provided and when you might need to send your student to an event with food. It is important that if your student has allergies or special food needs/requirements that you keep their food preferences up to date here. When meals are being served in different spots within Coppell High School (sometimes the cafeteria, sometimes the Black Box Theatre, sometimes even the library!), we will require the students to prove they are in band by wearing a certain band shirt and/or their marching shoes. Sounds kind of silly, but you'd be surprised by the number of non-band students wandering the halls of CHS who will try to score a free meal. The meal deal volunteers (band parents) don't know all 400 students by sight, and the band directors are busy getting ready for the event so they might not be available to assist us in confirming that each student in the food line is a band student.
