#marching in step

[ofravens-andwritingdesks]

A Handy-Dandy Guide to Marching Band Terms

This is for Marching In Step my super cool Marching Band AU for Anderperry. I've realized not everyone knows as much about Marching Band as my friends and I do, so I'm making a little glossary so everyone's on the same page! I'll keep adding terms on here as I use them, but if I forget and you're ever confused, feel free to message me! So, without further ado, here is that.

Band Director: "Teacher" of the Marching Band. Creates the field show, corrects spots, basically does everything. (Keating).

Band Officer: Helps distribute uniforms, organize and distribute flip folders and music. Can be, and is more often than not, also a rank leader. (Charlie)

Band President: Literal glue of the marching band. Organizes lesson groups, attendance, and events. They do a shitton of paperwork. (Meeks). 

Cadence: Short Drumline solo, usually used to keep time as the band marches somewhere in between songs during a parade, or between songs in a show.

Colorguard: Like a dance team, they twirl flags, rifles, and sabers during the marching band show. (Ginny, Chris)

Counts: Beats during a song. 

Drum Captain: Keeps the Drumline under control, lets them know what cadences to play, makes sure they know their spots and music.

Drum Major: Stands on the front sideline and conducts the band as they play the show. (Neil)

Rank Leader: Is assigned a group of musicians within their instrument to be in their "rank". The rank leader makes sure they know their music, know their spots on the field, and generally keep things smooth. (Knox, Cameron). 

Rearback: While marching, the band may go back on one foot and kick one knee up. (That's a crappy explanation I'm sorry google it)

[ofravens-andwritingdesks]

Marching In Step: Prologue

A modern day Todd/Neil (and Charlie/Meeks/Pitts) Marching Band AU fic because why the hell not, I love marching band. 

Prologue

“It's me and you against the world. Now take my hand, let's find a marching band that beats the rhythm of our hearts."

Neil had been honored when he had been appointed drum major of Welton Academy’s marching band. He and his closest friends had spent the past three years moving up in the ranks of the band, Charlie was an officer, Knox and Cameron were rank leaders, Meeks was band president, and Pitts was drum captain. Things were falling together for their Senior year. They were doing a fantastic show with great sets and even better music, life was good.

And then along came the new kid.

Neil noticed him as he was standing on his ladder, waiting for the band kids to file out onto the field for practice. He was a clarinet player, standing silently at the back of Smith’s rank. The blond boy vaguely resembled a kicked puppy by the way he held himself, and Neil instantly felt the need to reach out to him. He practically ran down his ladder and onto the field.

The boy was fiddling with his reed when Neil approached him with a large smile. “Hey, you must be the new kid. I’m Neil Perry, drum major,” he held out his hand for the boy to shake.

The blond looked awestruck, like he was amazed people were taking the time to talk to him. He shook Neil’s hand gently, “Uh, hi. I’m Todd. Todd Anderson.”

Neil furrowed his eyebrows, “Jeff Anderson’s brother?”

Todd nodded meekly.

Neil let out a low whistle, “Drum major and valedictorian? You have shoes to fill, my friend. Okay, so we won’t have time to set you in the formation today, since we’re doing two straight run-throughs. You’ll be playing your part on the sidelines. Did you memorize your music?”

Todd nodded silently again, Neil noted that this was a boy of few words. He hoped to change that by the end of the season.

“You’re already ahead of the game! If you need anything, find me. Or there’s my buddy Charlie Dalton, band officer.” Neil turned himself in the general direction he knew Charlie would be, “Oi! Nuwanda! Raise your sax!”

Off in the distance, a saxophone was raised in the air to signal where Charlie was. Neil smiled, he was glad to know Charlie would do things like that without question.

“None of my boys are your rank leader, but Smith is a good guy too. I’ll introduce you to my crew at the end, so they’ll be able to look out for you better on the field. Don’t stress it, okay? You’re going to fit in just fine.”

Todd smiled, and Neil’s heart could have stopped. Todd smile brought sunshine from the sky. “Thanks, Neil. I appreciate it.”

“Any time. I should get going, Keating’s a great band director, but he also doesn’t have much tolerance for lateness.” He started to run back to his ladder, but he called back to Todd, “And hey! Welcome to Welton Academy Marching Band!”