RAIN

Nature's way of telling the band to go inside and practice music. Although on occasion we still have to go out and be soggy chicken.

RECLINE

A physical action that the trumpets do to try to play high notes.

REED

1. A piece of wood that makes a great excuse for not playing well (particularly for brass instruments) if broken or brand new. Usages: "Sorry, new reed," or "I broke my reed."
2. A device used to efficiently cut one's finger.

3. Also causes stress when a bad reed day has occurred.

REHEARSAL

Time used by band geeks to forget anything learned during practice.

RESETTING

Definitions vary by sections. Woodwind: Wander aimlessly for 3 minutes and talk quietly. Brass: Run as fast as you can back to your set yelling at the top of your lungs and slipping in the mud. Percussion: Wander and swear as you walk slowly back to your set. Hit your drums as loud as you can to annoy the rest of the band. Color guard: Prance back to your set and avoid getting hit by stupid, yelling brass players. Pit: Sit there and laugh your @$$ off while you watch this 3 minutes of confusion.

ROLL-STEP

Method in which a geek should walk if his shoes are round on the bottom. Not bouncing.

SEAGULL

A bird that will attack you (and sometimes stalk you) for your pizza. One was sacrificed during initiations.

SECTION

Small groups within the band who plays similar instruments. Known to have strange rituals and sacrifices throughout the marching band season.

SECTION LEADER

The person who is the leader of the section and calls random sectionals at odd and inconvenient times. They also call sectionals at the last minute that causes havoc for sophomore (and some juniors) who cannot drive.

SENIOR

A source of constant guilt trips.

SFZ-PIANO-CRESCENDO

The act of blatting, stopping, then blasting.

SHOW COORDINATOR

Person who creates and draws all of the inanimate useless objects that the band attempts to form (normally our band director).

SITTING-AROUND

An action carried out when sitting on busses on in sands, in which band members rely on perpetual motion to keep from sitting in the same place for more than 30 seconds.

SLOUCHING

An action best displayed by the Pep Band and concert bands. Even if it's bad for playing, it's great for the back!

SLURPEES

The substance that band kids live on.

SLURPEE SECTIONALS

Where one or more section will secretly cram their section into their car and drive to 7-11 during a sectional and get back with out anyone finding out.

SNAP

Instantly changing a horn's position from attention to 'horns up' or vice-versa. Havoc for someone in front of a bell front instrument or trombone.

SNOW

A substance not favorable to march in.

SOGGY CHICKEN

The term used to describe marching in the rain.

SOPHOMORE INITIATIONS

The times were the upper classmen make the sophomores apart of the band. Activities for the sophomores vary depending on how they acted during band camp.

SOUSAPHONE

An instrument that adds bass to the band. Can play any note as long as it's a low G.

SPACE-CHORD

A chord where each member plays whatever note he feels like. Used so that band members (especially sophomores who aren't used to us) get used to what we sound like.

SQUEAK

The only sign that the woodwind reeds give that they are actually playing.

STAND

An object with the only purpose of holding music and tripping over.

STANDING

What the brass-line does at band camp. Woodwinds do not accomplish this feat due to their weak legs (in most cases). There are a few exceptions to this weakness, but they don't stand anyway.

STRETCHES

The time before marching begins. The band does stretches to avoid muscle cramps.

TEMPO

The correct beat, usually (but not always) carried by the conductor.

TEMPO HAPPY

A phenomenon where the conductor goes crazy at a concert and increases the tempo of the fastest song up 20 metronome markings. She then blames it on the band the next day for going so fast at the concert.

TENOR SAXOPHONE

The woodwind instrument equivalent to baritone or euphonium. This is the section of the band everyone wants to get rid of including the tenor saxist themselves.

TRUMPET

1. An instrument that is designed to make a band sound better. The idea is that if the trumpets play loud enough, you can't hear the rest of the band, so only the trumpets' mistakes are heard, not everyone else's.

2. Also see Ego.

TROMBONE

A device with the same pitch as a baritone, except that it uses a slide instead of valves, so it's easier to forget the position(s).

TUBA

A concert sousaphone.

TUNE

What the condition when all instruments are within half step of each other.