MTB Terms & Abbreviations

• Murray Tiger Band (MTB) - This term encompasses all band programs at both Murray High School and Murray Middle School. These band programs include marching band, symphonic band, concert band, jazz band, ensembles, etc.
• Murray High School (MHS)
• Murray Middle School (MMS)
• Ty Holland Stadium/Field - The Ty Holland Stadium was built in 1939 and is located on the Murray Middle School campus. All MHS football games are played at Ty Holland.
• Solo & Ensemble - MMS usually hosts one "Solo & Ensemble" event for area schools. Students perform as a soloist or in an ensemble or choir (large ensemble) in front of a judge. The judge provides a score based on the performance, but also provides constucctive feedback and advice. There are other S&E events locally that our students often attend.
• La Noche de Esperar -  To prepare our Solos & Ensembles, the MMS bandroom hosts two La Noche de Esperar evenings - one for solos and one for ensembles. This gives students a chance to perform in front of their band mates before Solo & Ensemble day.
• Final Run Through / Thursday Nights - On Thursday evenings near the end of the marching band practice, the Murray Tiger Band will do a “final run through” of the entire show (or as much as they have learned to this point). Band families are encouraged to come watch the final run through, and clap and cheer for the band. It’s a great way for MTB members to get used to performing in front of an audience. It’s also a great way for spectators to see the show up close!
• Band Banquet/Band Awards Night - In May, near the end of the school year, we host a Band Awards Night (formerly called the Band Banquet). It's a fun (but sometimes emotional) wrap up to the amazing year the band has experienced. It's a wnderful evening of memories, speeches, videos, awards, announcement of new leadership, and a great way to celebrate our Murray Tiger Band students!
• BAND app - The BAND app (https://band.us) is the primary communication tool for directors, students, and families. 

• Winds - The non-percussion part of the band. This includes any instrument that is played by blowing air - both woodwinds and brass.
• Woodwinds - Clarinets, saxophones, piccolos, flutes, etc.
• Brass - Trumpets, trombones, baritones, tubas, mellophones, etc.
• Front Ensemble - The front ensemble is the stationary percussion ensemble during marching band. For MTB, the ensemble is usually at the front of the football field, in front of the band. The front ensemble is generally made up of non-marching percussion instruments. (Sometimes also referred to as pit.)
• Battery - The battery is the percussion section that marches and carries drums, such as snares, bass drums, tenors, etc. (Sometimes also referred to as drumline.)
• Drumline - The entire percussion section (front ensemble and battery).
• Color Guard - This group includes the members of the band who use props (flags, rifles, sabers, etc) to add color, style, and more advanced visual elements to the performance.
• Tiger Beats - This is our indoor percussion group that performs often at concerts and other indoor competitions.
• Winter Guard (WG or WGCG) - This is our indoor color guard group that performs at indoor competitions, usually in the winter and early spring.

• Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) - https://www.kmea.org/ - The mission of KMEA shall be to advance the cause of music education throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky by encouraging the study and making of music by all of the population and by serving as a strong advocate for issues affecting the accomplishment of that mission. Many of the marching band competitions MTB participates in are sanctioned by KMEA.
• Bands of America (BOA) - https://marching.musicforall.org/ - Music for All’s Bands of America (BOA) marching band championships are the premier events for marching band in the nation. BOA’s marching band shows offer positively life-changing experiences for the students, teachers, and parents of the bands who participate, as well as fans and spectators.
  • Grand Nationals (Grand Nats) - Music for All’s Bands of America Grand National Championships, presented by Yamaha, is America’s premiere national marching band event. First and foremost, Grand Nationals is an educational performance opportunity. Grand Nationals is also a spectacular music and pageantry event, one that band fans from across the nation and around the world travel to for exciting and creative performances. Grand Nationals takes place in the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN every November. MTB has won the Class 1A Grand Championship in 1977, 2021, and 2024!
• Classifications - In both KMEA and BOA, bands are put into “classes” (classifications) based on size. KMEA and BOA each have their own rules for classifications.
  • KMEA has a five-class system that is assigned based on a formula of school enrollment size and band size. Classifications are re-evaluated every few years. Currently, MTB is a KMEA Class AAA (3A) band.
  • BOA has a four-class system that is based on the Grades 10-12 enrolment levels of each school. Class A (600 or fewer), Class AA (601-1285), Class AAA (1286-1810), and Class AAAA (1811 or more). Currently, MTB is a BOA Class A band. https://marching.musicforall.org/faq/
• State / State Finals / State Week
  • The week leading up to the KMEA State Marching Band Competition (usually the last Saturday in October) is called "State Week."
  • The Boosters and families participate in decorating the hallway outside the band room with the marching show theme, coordinating decorations, pictures of students, directors, and staff, and more. It's a great way to get the students amped up for the state competition, and show our love and support for MTB
  • Boosters/families also collect items (snacks, drinks, fun items, encouraging notes, etc) and put together goodie bags for each student, director, staff, and chaperone traveling to State.
• Festival of Champions (FoC) - This is one of our favorite competitions! Held at Murray State University's Stewart Stadium, the MTB makes an excellent showing each year!
• Caption awards - These are awards that marching bands may win at competitions. Each competition has different caption awards. Examples are Best Percussion, Best Brass, Best Woodwinds, Best Color Guard, Best Musical Effect, Best Visual Effect, Best General Effect, Best Overall Effect, etc.
• Retreat - When the bands who have competed come onto the field in a ceremonial fashion before the awards ceremony. This is amazing to watch at the KMEA State Finals!

• Bibs - Also “affectionately” called “bibbers” - these are the black overall-style pants worn under the uniform top.
• Shakos - The formal marching hat worn by members.
• Plumes - Decorate feather that attaches to the shako.
• Wraps - Material attached to and wrapped around the shako that ties into that year's marching band show theme.
• Concert Black - Students should wear black dresses, black pants, black shirts, and black shoes for the concert. It’s highly recommended for skirts and dresses to be longer than knee-length, as students will be sitting in chairs, facing the audience during performances.
• Letterman Jackets - Marching band students will be measured for letterman jackets during the marching season, but families are responsible for the cost of the jackets. Students will receive their “letter” (a large M patch) at the band awards night following their second year of marching band.
• Patches, Bars, Pins - These items may be purchased at competitions or may be provided by the band, depending on the event and the patch. Patches should be sewn onto letter jackets.

The mission of the Murray Tiger Band (MTB) Boosters is to collaborate with the Murray Independent School District (MISD) Band Directors, Murray High School and Middle School officials, and MISD officials to promote the advancement of the Murray Tiger Bands' music and performance programs and to encourage the growth and development of exceptional music and marching arts programs that complement and expand the educational opportunities of MISD students.

The Murray Band Boosters, Inc. (Boosters) is a non-profit S0l(c) (3) organization which seeks to promote, support, and create interest and participation in the MISD band program and any subordinate groups and subdivisions through collaboration among students, parents, faculty, and the community at-large. We strive to achieve these goals by raising funds to be used for purchases to help provide a quality education program and to enable student participation in band-related programs. We exist at the pleasure of the MISD.

What is a Band Booster? Every parent of a MHS or MMS band student is a band booster. While the directors are busy working with the band programs and students, the band boosters step in to organize events, raise funds, provide food and water, build and move show props, push equipment onto and off the field during competitions, chaperone, and so much more! 

Booster Teams

• Hospitality - Organizes and provides band camp meals, contest meals, and helps with meal arrangements during trips.
• Fundraising - The band operates on a very large budget, but more than a majority of this comes from fundraising, whether through events (like our Sweet Jazz or Trivia Nights) or through sponsorships from local community partners.
• Pit -The front ensemble is also called the pit. During competitions, we need lots of parent volunteers to assist the students with pushing pit instruments onto and off the band field.
• Props - Our marching show always has large props that add to the show theme, and are often used as part of a student's performance on the field. We are always looking for parent volunteers to assist with the design and construction of props, as well as loading/unloading props and pushing them to and off the field.
• Chaperone - An approved parent volunteer who rides the buses with the students to and from competitions and events, and stays with the band the entire time. This is even more fun than it sounds! When you get to watch the band "in their element" you see amazing moments!
• Uniforms - Volunteers assist with organizing uniforms, washing when needed, providing alternations if necessary, and keeping an inventory of uniform pieces and assignments.
• Transportation - Our transportation team includes drivers who drive/pull pit trucks and trailers.
• Communication/Social Media - Our parent volunteers work hard to keep up the www.murraytigerband.com website, our Facebook pages (Murray Tiger Band and MTB Community Group) and keep everyone updated on parent/booster information.