A parent's guide to school band programs

The repertoire consists mostly of marches, musical cheers, arrangements of popular works, and standards such as the national anthem and your school song.

Many of the instruments of the marching band will be the same as for concert band: flute , clarinet , saxophone trombone , trumpet or cornet , baritone or euphonium . Percussionists may march with snare drums, bass drums, tom-toms, or cymbals, or may play a less-mobile percussion instrument in a stationary "pit" drum section.

Percussion takes on added importance in the marching band, and percussionists in the drum line (who can march while they play), and in the pit (who play stationary instruments) may find themselves with extra practice and performance duties during marching season.

Some instrumentalists are asked to play versions of their instrument that are less unwieldy to march with: tuba players usually march with a sousaphone . French horn players often march with a mellophone or other bell-front marching horn.

Double-reeds are difficult to march with, and bassoon players in particular may be asked to play another instrument (or fulfill some non-playing duty) in marching band.

Pep band

The pep band may be separate from the marching band, or not. It is normally an extra-curricular activity, and may be required or optional for marching or concert band members. It performs in the stands, standing or seated, at athletic events. The repertoire is similar to that of the marching band.

The instruments involved are normally the same as the marching band, but sometimes any instrument is welcome, since marching is not a necessity.

Jazz band

Jazz band is normally an extra-curricular activity. It may be any size from a small "combo" (four to six players) to a large "big band" (more than twenty instrumentalists, sometimes with a vocalist). The repertoire consists mostly of jazz standards, usually from many different jazz genres.

Instruments that are welcome in any jazz band include: piano, drums, bass, guitar , saxophone , trumpet , and trombone .

Jazz bands also sometimes use clarinet , flute , tuba , or voice. These instruments are often covered by (played by) someone who normally plays something else in the jazz band (as when a saxophonist doubles on clarinet - plays clarinet when it is needed) rather than by an outsider to the group. A student who wishes to be in jazz band should take up one of the main jazz instruments at least as a second specialty.

Pit bands

Sometimes a "pit band" is organized to play with a school musical or other event. The group size may be anything from a small combo (piano, bass, and drums for example) to a full band or orchestra. The performance is usually seated, in an orchestra pit, or otherwise off-stage, but sometimes requires on-stage interaction with the play, backstage playing, or other unusual playing situations. This is usually an optional extra-curricular activity that meets only for the length of time necessary to rehearse for the event. The repertoire is just the music for the event.