Living the bandie lifestyle is something you must adapt over time; however, it is not hard to get into. People welcome you with open arms and unspoken rules that follow a routine every single band practice. You might have someone get your stand, folder, etc. for you and it just becomes a natural thing overtime and you sense a bad day at band when that certain thing doesn't happen. This is how you develop friendships that will last a lifetime no matter how far you drift apart. So, here are a few things that I have learned over the years that I feel bandies can relate to and will hopefully bring up some memories they forgot about.
1. The people you sit next to can be a hit or miss.
Now, if you have been involved with band for a number of years, you may have had multiple different people sit next to you. Especially if you have gone on to be in All-County and/or All-State band. The people you sit next to can be awesome, accommodating, and a genuine fellow bandie. However, some might get on your nerves by stopping you in the middle of a piece to ask where we are because they got lost or they might try to compare the quality of their instrument to yours. Those people bring too much negativity to my life.
2. Your band teacher is more than just a teacher.
From elementary school all the way to high school, the band teachers that I have had have always been more than just a teacher. They became private teachers and people that are inspirations to me in many aspects of my life. They taught me about crafting the musical art and how to look at life as a challenge; a challenge that never ends. They presented me with endless opportunities and told me to strive to be the best that I can be in the musical world and in life.
3. The band room is the place to be.
The band room is where you eat lunch with your best friends, where you use your band lockers as your actual lockers, and where you just go to chill during study hall, even though you claim you have a band lesson. Sometimes your bandmates might want to drive you around in random carts around the room or play videogames before you perform in a concert. Although this is extremely gross, there are certain stains that everyone is aware of and how they got there, like coffee on the ceiling or where one of the flute players killed an eight-legged bug one day before rehearsal. No matter how gross and disgusting, the band room is considered home.
4. When you wish every class was band class.
To just play music and be around people who feel the same way makes you want to be in that class all the time. No homework is also a great feeling and going to band lessons is mostly fun. Making music from an instrument that you love is something that most people want to do all day long. It is not even like a study hall either, but a time to just express yourself through music, which helps you be free from the stress of school at least once a day or every other day.
5. You consider everyone in band your second family.
No matter the drama and/or gossip that goes on within the band, you would take a bullet for anyone in that group. You have been through a lot together: concerts, rehearsals, banquets, road trips, and band lessons. You share something special with each and every person in that band, which is the love of music. It doesn't matter if they just joined band or they are four years older than you. All of you are family who make music together and who share the same passion as you do.
