When most people sit and think about high school, they always associate the marching band with individuals who spend most of their time studying, playing video games, and being a “nerd.” However most people fail to acknowledge the fact that the marching band is full of those who are ignited by the desire to grow and succeed. Each member of the band spends their time learning new ideas whether it be a new piece of music, new foot work, new color guard moves, or whatever it is the whole band works together to make sure the show is perfect. There are a few things in life that marching band members view and understand differently than most.
1. The importance of the band room.
Students who are not part of the marching band tend to associate the band room as the strange room at the end of the school some even forget it is part of the school. To the band members, it’s their place to escape, socialize, and most importantly learn. In between classes, during lunch, or even after school, more than half of the band members could be found there even if there was no official band practice that day. Socializing with the band members and the band director is the greatest feeling for the members, that room always became their home. The band room is the place each member holds dearly in their hearts.
2. Band Camp and all the pain that comes with it.
“This one time at band camp…” Most people don’t understand the countless hours of practice without a break, the pain, and the life lessons the members gain through the few weeks at band camp. Sunburn, bruises, heat stroke, and cuts are some of the painful experiences band members go through during their time at band camp. Those who are not part of the band tend to think of band camp as some sort of joke, however. To members it’s the time where they learn who they are working with and what show they are performing. Band camp at the time is a horrible experience for the members, but during the end of the season they all wish that they could go back in time and relive band camp. Awkward tan lines and bruises from rifles isn’t all they get from band camp -- countless memories and friendships comes with it too.
3. "One more time" actually means 500 more times.
After every run through, the members always hear “one more time!” One more time actually doesn’t mean one more run through, what it actually means is you will be redoing your show until it looks good enough to the band director. One more time just becomes a phrase the members dread to hear, but in the long run their hard work pays off.
4. Bus rides are the best part of away football games.
Not only do band members love the excitement of having an away football game -- they all love the thrill and fun memories created on their ride there. If the game is 30 minutes or two hours away, the joy of spending time with each members makes the time fly by. Bus rides are full of songs, laughter, and sleeping. The bus becomes a changing room for each member, it becomes a sing-along, and it becomes bonding time. The bus ride home is either quiet or loud depending on if the show went well. If it did, the members reminisce on how well they did and what they can do to make it better.
5. Walking in step.
Whether a member of band is just walking to class, work, or just walking around they always tend to walk in step with the person in front of them. With those countless hours of practice their brain is going to be conditioned into making sure they are in step with the person in front or next to them. It’s just something that happens to each member.
6. Black socks are very important.
Most people own a bunch of socks in all different shapes and colors, not the members though, all they own and all they buy is black socks. From the beginning of band camp each member was told the importance of the uniform and the important part of owning black socks. During game day and competition day if black socks were left behind there were some consequences the forgetful member had to go through.
7. Waiting for your scores at competitions.
“And with a score of...the winner of...is...” Those words are something that each member looks forward to hearing. Whether they took home first place or last, the important part of each competition is if they improved or not. The desire for improvement is what they all seek. However, winning first place is something they hope for as well.
8. The weather!
Of course your average Joe pays attention to what the weather is going to be like however members of band always pay attention. During the first few months of band it's always too hot outside for the uniform, and during the winter the members need hot chocolate and hand warmers to stay alive. And who wants rain or snow to ruin a perfect competition day?
9. The importance of being together.
The musicians must be sure to keep all their music together, the guard must make sure all their flags and weapons are together, and the entire band must make sure their feet and spots are in perfect unison. Not only is it important for the moves and sounds to be together, but it is very important that each band member gets along and spends quality time together. During their show, they become one living band so they must find a way to get along with one another in order to accomplish any type of success.
10. Counting is critical.
During a show, a practice, or during their everyday lives they tend to always count while they are marching or just walking. Always hearing “one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight” or “left, left, left, right, left” all members tend to hear them.
11. The weekend.
“Hey, can you hang out this weekend?” “No, I have band”
Early morning Saturday practice then a Sunday competition, most band members have no time to be with their friends who are not a part of the band. It is very difficult for them to socialize with those who aren’t a part of the program.
12. Heel toe role.
That’s how they all walk on the field and that’s how they all walk during their everyday lives. It is something that has been drilled into their brains so much even after they age out of band it is still with them forever.
13. Celebrities?
Most people love talking about celebrities. Whether it be about Justin Bieber or Taylor Swift, most individuals love talking about them. However, band member do talk about celebrities as well but to them their real idols are DCI members. Cadets, Santa Clara VanGuard, and Blue Devils are of few fan favorites.
14. Band withdrawal.
When the season is over most members go through a sort of withdrawal. Missing those days in the hot sun, the bus ride, the feels they received after winning first place, missing all of that and having to go through school wishing for those days back. Of course, the musicians have concert and jazz band and the guard members have winter guard, but nothing feels the same once the marching band season is over. Wishing for those days back is all they can do.
15. Family.
Being a part of the marching band makes everyone feel like they are a part of one big family. The time spent with the members, band director, and staff creates this feeling in your heart that you belong. After graduation that feeling is still there, and these days at band will forever be in your heart. The people met will forever be remembered. And the performance will never be forgotten. Marching Band becomes a happy memory no matter the struggles you faced. Band becomes your family. And family is all we have.
