Being in marching band is no easy task. It takes the physical attributes of an athlete and the commitment of a musician in order for one to be in the mindset for marching band. Awareness, memory, and control are the three keys needed in order to become the best you can with this activity. Even though marching band is a big commitment that takes away most of one's high school (and sometimes college) career people end up with better characteristics for not only band, but for life. And when the long days of rehearsals are over there will always be something to talk about. Here are 9 things that only marching band kids understand.
1. You will get burnt.
A practice can vary from 3-5 hours on weekdays and for competitions, you'll be fine for the whole day. When the sun is beating down on you for a long time no matter how much sun screen you can slather on, you will get burnt.
2. Your muscles will ache.
Being a musician is easy because other than using your diaphragm and a few other muscles there not much physical exertion. After a long day of engaging your core and marching with a roll step, you are going to ache everywhere.
3. You will here the music EVERYWHERE.
Marching Band music will never get out of your head. Ever. A single note can trigger a whole entire show in your head and the music won't end until the show ends in your head.
4. You will lose some weight.
This is something that is very good because the weight that you lose turns into muscle.
5. Your focus will improve.
It takes a lot to understand and focus in marching band you have to remember each count for each set along with the music that corresponds with it.
6. People either love you or hate you.
Marching band is loved by the student body or hated by students. They are loved when they do well or if they are in a liberal arts school but will be hated or not cared about when other athletic programs do better than them.
7. Your musicality gets better.
Musically you're range will improve, along with air intake and blending. You will be a better musician due to the fact that you are playing while moving which makes you work more to play but in the end it will make you better.
8. You will be apart of a real team.
In marching band, you are all varsity. You are a team. You all work together through each other to make each other great. You have to have the mindset to better the group along with yourself.
9. You will make life long friends.
Lastly, the friendships you will make being in this team will last a lifetime. These people will share the same experiences as you and feelings as you and you will be grateful for the people you met there.
