1. When your entire uniform fits perfectly.

Getting fitted for a uniform is on a first come, first serve basis, so you may not always get the perfect pair of pants. The feeling of a good uniform = success.

2. Finally nailing that difficult passage after working on it for weeks.

It takes practice, practice, and more practice, but flawlessly playing that tough phrase? Totally worth it.

3. Making it to your assigned drill dot on the first try.

The odds are slim, so when you land exactly where you need to go, you will definitely do a little happy dance.

4. Hearing people in the crowd at football games cheer for the band.

Especially if the music and arts department isn't always appreciated at your school. Hearing the loud screams for you at halftime can make you feel like a rock star.

5. When your entire section rocks a music passage/drill move and the director uses you as an example.

Because you know that your section is the best and who would think otherwise?!

6. If your band competes: Winning a competition!

Each week it comes down to this: will your hard work pay off? Will everyone work as a team to do their best? The rush of adrenaline after hearing "...and in first place, [school name]!" is undoubtedly one of the greatest feelings of all time.

7. Surviving Band Camp.

Don't get me wrong, it's rough. Just drink enough water and reapply your sunscreen and you're good to go! After this part of the season, you should have successfully completed a good portion of the halftime show.

8. Playing your first show.

It's really terrifying, believe me! But after you exit the field, your shakiness and nausea will be gone. When I played my first show, I was afraid of making a mistake in front of the huge crowd during halftime. I was so scared that I shut my eyes during a standstill in the show. Six years later, I can now march onto the field and perform like nobody's business.

9. Noticing improvement from when you first started

I know that when I first started out in marching band in high school, I sucked. Like, SERIOUSLY sucked. The next year, I got it all together and actually won a "most improved" award at our awards banquet. While not all bands give you physical proof that you are doing better, you will notice it for yourself. When you started out, you may not have done something correctly, but you learned to fix that mistake.

10. Knowing that you are in a community where you can grow, learn, and become a better person.

Your band family is the best family.