Marching band is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting high school activities there is. Naturally, there are some things that every band kid will recognize.
1. The feeling when you realize you're singing show music from two years ago
Show music is always stuck in your head. You only realized you were singing when someone near you pointed it out.
2. Stretching before a show and hoping you don't rip your bibs
Those things always fit REALLY well.
3. The feeling that comes with performing a great show
You could never explain it. There was just a certain energy that came after a good performance and everyone felt it.
4. The distinct smell of over 100 sweaty kids in the cafeteria during band camp
Ah yes, the sweet combination of sweat, sunscreen, valve oil and guard gloves.
5. Wondering if you will ever walk normally again
The whole heel-toe thing is really messing with your normal, everyday stride
6. Hating band but also knowing you'll never quit
One of your favorite things is to complain about band, but the program means more to you than most other things.
7. Always being surprised by new relationships
When you have a lot of teenagers spending 400 hours together each season, some coupling is bound to happen. Some couples are expected, but most don't make sense.
8. Band room is home base.
You somehow always end up there on off-blocks, after school and at lunch. I once had a non-band teacher refer to it as our 'alien mothership'.
9. They are not 'Feather hats'
Shakos. They are called Shakos.
10. Always sitting by the band kids in class
Coming in freshman year, you really only knew the band kids and it just became routine to find them in all of your classes.
11. Sundays being your only free day
With rehearsal three times a week, a sectional once a week, football games and competitions on Saturdays, Sundays were your day of rest.
12. Sleeping in a bus seat in the weirdest positions
It's hard to squeeze two people in a bus seat comfortably but somehow, you did it.
13. You measure distance in steps
A standard Eight-to-Five, of course.
14. Early is on time, on time is late and late is dead
The time on the schedule was the time rehearsal started, not the time to arrive.
15. Learning not everyone is meant to like the same thing
Marching band, like many things, is not for everyone. It always bothered you when people quit, but it bothered you more when people were not putting in any effort.
Marching band was such an important part of my high school career and as I reflect on it, I realize how many things I will miss that could only have happened through being in that program.
