Marching Style
The Marching Virginians, like many large university bands, use a variety of marching styles depending upon the demands of the music and drill.
The maneuvers listed on this page represent the fundamentals commonly used by The Marching Virginians. It is critical to remember that uniformity is the goal. You can view all of the tutorial videos with the YouTube playlist linked here, or click the individual links next to the descriptions below.
Parade Rest (Video)
Parade Rest gives the band a way to relax and still look uniform. One long whistle blow from the drum major is the signal to fall in at Parade Rest.
Holding instruments at Parade Rest is unique for each section. Please be sure to view the video for your instrument in the Instrument Carriage section below or see your Rank Captain for more information.
COMING TO Attention (VIDEOS: FRONT VIEW | SIDE VIEW)
This command is given in conjunction with a whistle while at Parade Rest. On the second short whistle at the end of the signal, raise your instrument, head, and left leg as in a high mark time. On the first beat after the whistle, bring your left foot to the position of attention and return your instrument and head to their normal position. The entire band shouts the response "HO!" as the left foot hits the ground.
Holding instruments at Attention is unique for each section. Please be sure to view the video for your instrument in the Instrument Carriage section below or see your Rank Captain for more information.
INSTRUMENTS UP (VIDEOS: FRONT VIEW | Band View)
This command is given with a verbal and visual cue. While the band is at Attention, the drum major will cross their arms and then raise them over their head while shouting “INSTRUMENTS!”. The entire band shouts "HUH!" in response as instruments snap up into playing position.
Mark Time Low (VIDEO)
Beginning with the left foot and alternating feet, keep your toes on the ground and lift your heels to your ankle. Body motion should be kept below the waist.
MARK TIME HIGH (VIDEO)
Beginning with the left foot and alternating feet, raise your foot so your ankle lands just below the knee on the opposite leg. Your foot/toes should be pointed straight toward the ground while in the raised position. Movement above the waist should be at a minimum.
HALT (Video)
This command is given to uniformly bring the band to a standstill. It can be called at any time, and the vocal response is "ONE, TWO" as your right and left feet stop moving respectively.
TURNS (VIDEOS: QUARTER TURN & HALF TURN)
This command is given to change the direction of motion. It can be called at any time except during a Slide, and whatever direction you were marching before the command will be continued after the command. The vocal response is "AND ONE" as your left foot begins to move and "LOCK" on count four as your right foot goes into its final position. For turns to the left, your heels should stay connected. For turns to the right, your toes should stay connected.
FORWARD MARCH (VIDEO)
This step is also known as a "roll step" and is used for smooth, fluid motion in drill. With every step, your foot should roll from heel-to-toe and your weight should shift from the stationary foot to your extended foot. All body motion should be kept below the waist. The vocal response is "and one" when stepping out with your left foot to begin and "hit" whenever you cross over a yard line. If you are transitioning from a forward march to a Mark Time or Halt, point your right toe to the ground and close with your left foot on counts seven and eight respectively.
The term “8-to-5” refers to a standard step size with 8 steps taken for every 5 yards on the field, but step size is often adjusted to fit the number of counts in a particular movement for a field show. Movements of this nature are called floats because the form "floats" to the next picture or set. In a float, it is imperative that you guide to your left and right, remaining equidistant from the band member on either side of you.
BACKWARD MARCH (VIDEO)
Commands and responses are similar to those for the Forward March, but to minimize movement above the waist, rise up on your toes to march backwards.
POWER STEP (VIDEO)
Raise your left leg as in a high mark time and move forward, bringing your feet down in a toe-to-heel manner. As you move, your ankle should pass your knee on the “and” of the beat. Your ankle should remain relaxed, and your toes should be pointed. Power Step is always preceded by and followed by a High Mark Time, and is generally used in an 8-to-5 or 16-to-5 step when a strong musical and visual impact is appropriate.
DRESS (VIDEO)
This command is called to fix alignment while marching in blocks. In a Dress Right command, everyone executes this command except for the rightmost person in each row, who stays at attention. Similarly, in a Dress Left command, everyone executes this command except for the leftmost person in each row. To come back to the center, the command is Ready Front. The vocal response for the Dress Right/Left command is "One, Two," and the vocal response for the band Ready Front command is "and down."
FLANK (VIDEO)
This command is called to change the direction in which a Forward March is executed by 90 degrees. On count eight, you pivot on your right toe to the right or left, depending on which direction is given in the command. A Flank command can only be called from Forward or Backward March.
TO THE REAR (VIDEO)
This command is called to change the direction in which a Forward March is executed by 180 degrees. On count eight, you pivot on your right toe 180 degrees over your left shoulder to face the back. To the Rear can only be called from Forward March.
SLIDE (VIDEO)
This command is called to change the direction of motion below the waist while your instrument still faces the front. This type of marching is used most frequently in halftime shows, so it's a great one to practice. On count eight, pivot on your right toe to move toward either the left or the right. Your shoulders should stay parallel to the front, while your feet should be turned 90 degrees to the left or right, depending on which direction is given in the command.
INSTRUMENT CARRIAGE
The videos below illustrate proper instrument carriages for each section. Flag Corps and Percussion members should check with leadership, as uniform carriage may change from season to season.
MARCHING COMMANDS
The following is a basic list of visual, verbal, and whistle commands The Marching Virginians use for fundamentals. All of these commands will be explained at band camp.
Special Terminology
The following descriptions will aid in your reading and understanding of the drill charts used by The Marching Virginians. See the sample drill chart below.
Home is the bottom of the drill chart. In Lane Stadium, home is the press box side and away is the student side of the field.
Hash Marks are lines on the field that divide it into three segments. There are 32 steps between the hash marks and the sidelines and 20 steps between the two hash marks. Hash marks appear as dashes across each yard line on the field and on drill charts.
Tick Marks are a teaching aid on The Marching Virginians' field. Ticks divide the field into increments of five yard (eight step) widths.
Representation:
MV Practice Field - tick marks appear as dashes every five yards lengthwise.
Drill Charts - tick marks appear as solid lines every five yards lengthwise.
Step Intervals are the number of steps between each band member.
Even Spacing is a formation on the field where marchers are either on a yard line, splitting two yard lines, or two steps off of a yard line (i.e. 2, 4,
Odd Spacing is a formation on the field where marchers are either one step or three steps off a yard line (i.e. 1, 3, 5, 7)
A Rank is a field unit that marches together. Each rank includes eight members. To allow for maximum participation and to provide for substitutes and other considerations, many ranks will include a ninth member.
Inboard Turns are executed by turning toward the 50-yard line.
Outboard Turns are executed by turning away from the 50-yard line.
