The Marching Band Loves to Practice in your Parking Spaces!

False. Incorrect. Not Even Close.

 

 

   Currently at URI our marching band practices in the commuter/faculty parking lot located at the top of campus, behind the Fine Arts Center (FAC for short). One of the biggest misnomers I have ever heard on campus is that we practice there by choice. This could not be farthest from the truth. First, Marching Band is a class. We are required to attend every football game and practice, we also get graded at the end of the semester. Second, the University does not want us practicing on the football field. We would be more then glad to open up that section of the lot during the day and close it off from four to six, but then we run the risk of cars being left in the middle of our "classroom". Lastly, our practice field in the parking lot is not even done correctly. Once you get to the right end of the field where the ten and fifteen are...the lines become crooked. They don't even become a little crooked, they literally become diagonal. Our Ten yard line is also blacked out with tar, and then redone in a different position. This becomes insanely frustrating when learning drill. So next time you curse us in your head for stealing your parking spaces to have class, try and be a little more understanding since we literally have no control.

 

Drill Chart
This is how we learn the formations for the halftime shows.

 

A "How To" on Drop Spins

Being a section leader means that you have to adapt and be able to break down moves that will be used throughout the entire season. It is my job to make sure that the second I say the name of a move everyone's head jumps to the exact same mental image of what this move should look like. Drop Spins is the very first move that you are taught when joining a color guard. Some people are better visual learners (like myself) and others need the instructions written down. Above I have attached a  video that will deliver the visual instruction for this move.

Drop Spins begin with holding the flag at right shoulder. Right shoulder (or Attention) is holding the butt of the flag with your left hand at your belly button, and the tape with your right hand. Your right hand and forearm should be parallel with the ground. If you feel like your arms are really far apart, you are more than likely at Right Shoulder. The length of your pole also determines how far apart your arms will be.

You begin drop spins by letting go with your left hand. Twist your right wrist to the left so that the butt of your flag is now facing directly up. As you do this bring the tape down to about belly button level. Grab just above your right hand with your left hand. Both thumbs during this move will always be pointing towards the silk. Your elbows will now be point outwards making two 90° angles. Using your left wrist now, twist to the right so that the tip and silk and back to the top like they were when we began the move. That is one full rotation of a Drop Spin. For every even number that you count (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.) the flag should be upright, every odd number means that the butt of the flag will be at the top. Doing these motions continuously and doing four full rotations completes drop spins.

Now its your turn! Go outside, grab a flag, broom, bow staff, pencil, almost anything works and give it a try. I have full confidence in you. Good luck! 

The Anatomy of your Weapons

Above is the terminology for all of the parts of a flag. Stoppers (little rubber ends) are usually placed at the butt and tip of the flag. Weights are sometimes added in to give the flag different effects in the air. In this photo the black stick that the silk is attached to is the pole.

 

Above here is the terminology for all of the parts of a rifle. The dark silver part next to the neck is the bolt. Underneath the neck is a strap. Not every guard uses straps on their rifles. For example, ours does not.

This one time...

Yes, at band camp.

 

 

The running joke of the world is that people during band camp shack up with each other and simply "run around the bases" for an entire week. Honestly, by the end of Tuesday you feel so gross and unattractive that even if you are in a committed relationship, you don't want anyone near you. You're also sore from running, stretching, lifting and throwing things five feet into the air. Band camp is hot, gross, and tiring. The weird sock and sunglasses tans however, are indeed true.