I. INTRODUCTION 

  1. This outline is intended to supplement and to aid in reviewing the basic drill course, and serve as a text for the University of Nebraska R.O.T.C. bands. If the basic course has not been studied, it is even more necessary that this anual be mastered. It consists of an adaptation of infantry drill regulations for use by R.O.T.C. bands and an explanation of the formations of a football band. 

  2. Nearly every band attempts both to march and to play. Some bands can play well, others can march well; but few bands can do both. Too great a percentage of rehearsal time spent on either function seriously impairs the other function. It is therefore important that the drills be planned carefully and that the band members be conversant with the material in this manual so that the purpose of the drill may be accomplished quickly and precisely. Read this manual and re-read it -- even memorize the contents and be able to apply what you learn in drills. 

  3. Always bear in mind that a greater number of people who hear a band hear it only when it is marching. Indeed, judging from the attendance at concerts compared with the number of football spectators and parade-watchers, the percentage of people who know the band only as a marching group can be estimated at about 90 to 95 per cent. It is evident that a band which would serve to entertain the majority of its audience must perfect all phases of its performance. Marching and playing are equally important to a college band. 

  4. The purpose of instruction of individuals is to secure smart, precise, uniform movements when the individuals are in formation. The band whose members are well drilled in the basic movements will have little difficulty, and will consume little time, in mastering the more complex movements of band drill. The tendency is to rush into more advanced drill far too soon. With insufficient elementary instruction, success in drill of the whole band is utterly impossible. Intelligent thorough training in the simple individual movements is an indispensable requirement and should precede any effort at drill of the band as a whole. 

II. GENERAL RULES AND PRINCIPLES

5. a. The band may be formed and maneuvered in close order, 4-inch interval between files; in open formation, 9-inch interval between files; and in playing formation, 50-inch interval between files, unless otherwise prescribed.  (TH 130-10)

b.  The distance between ranks in close order is 40 inches; in open and playing formations, 60 inches.

c.  Nebraska R.O.T.C. bands will seldom use close order.

6.  DEFINITIONS.  Those terms are used in describing movements in the manual;

Alignment:  A straight line upon which several individuals or ele-"