Godwin Heights Band

This page is dedicated to the new-comers ('newbies') to the Godwin Heights Marching Band.
This page provides simple tips and helpful information for those who may be new to Marching Band.

1.0 - Basic Philosiphy
2.0 - Intruments and Upgrades
3.0 - Basic Marching

Our Marching Band strides to improve ourselves.
We play our own game - the game of improvement. Our goal is simple: Provide a fun and entertaining show for our fans to enjoy while maintaining the critiacal balance of 'fun' and 'self-determination'.

   As students become better musicians, they need better equipment to allow them to reach their potential. While a new instrument can be a major purchase, students will find that even the smallest changes, such as mouthpieces and reeds, can make major improvements in their playing.

   This list is designed to give all students the information they need to make basic upgrades on their instrument.

Clarinet - Mouthpiece - B45 with Rovner Ligature, Reeds - Mitchell Lyre 3.5

Saxophone - Mouthpiece - Selmer C-star with Rovner Ligature, Reeds - Vandoreen 3

Trumpet - Instrument - Bach Stradavarius, Mouthpiece - Bach 3c - High School; Bach 1c - Advanced Students

Trombone - Mouthpiece - Schilke 51 (not 51D) - High School

Baritone - Mouthpiece - Schilke 51D - High School

Tuba - Mouthpiece - Bach 18

(Courtesy of Mr. Townley)

A football field is 100 yards long, ranging from 0 yards to 50 yards, and back down.. The field is marked every 5 yards by vertical lines. (Numerical markers are placed on the 30, 40, and 50 yard lines respectively.) The marching field/football field is broken into two halves, Side One and Side Two.

3.1 - Body Posture
    The marching style/posture is what is seen close up by fans and judges alike. When you are marching, your chin is always aimed high. This reflects pride in your marching band. Here is an easy way to remember your posture.
Heals - TOGETHER
Toes - TOGETHER
Stomach - IN
Chest - OUT
Shoulders - BACK
Chin - PRIDE

3.2 - Step Sizes
     The basic marching step is called eight to five (8/5) and consists of eight steps in five yards. Marching steps can range from as little as two to five (2/5) all the way to thirty-two to five (32/5). For Basic Block, the block we form when everyone marches the same direction and way together, we usually vary the step, using 8/5, 16/5, 4/5, etc.

3.3 - Forward Marching
    Most marching is done in the Forward Position. This indicates that your feet are traveling in-front of you, never behind you. Your body is usually traversed, or parrallel to the home side line when forward marching. Forward marching is obtained by rolling THROUGH your foot. Your toes are ALWAYS pointed sky-high, never dug into the ground.

3.4 - Backwards Marching
    Some moves consist of moving backwards. Usually you are traversed the same way as Forward Marching, but you can sometimes be traversed Back Field, or to the Visitor Side. While marching backwards, you maintain balance on your toes while NEVER letting your heals touch the ground. Backwards marching is considered 'tough' to most new-comers but rest assured, it will get easier.