Marching band is one of the most physically, emotionally and mentally taxing thing that you can do in high school. Whether it’s fighting the heat, fighting to stay awake, or a fighting section, it’s difficult to say the least. So I’m going to give tips to the those of you planning on joining marching band in high school.
Beware of Hell Week
Otherwise known as band camp, it’s a full week of practicing marching and playing in the hot weather, usually a week before school starts, and it truly is hell. Usually you spend four hours outside, an hour or an hour and a half for lunch, and between three and four hours inside playing. If you’re in color guard, you continue to stay on your feet inside and practice flag moves or routine if you’ve started learning it. During practices, both inside and out, there are little breaks and a lot of standing. So be prepared for pain and a lot of new muscles showing up that you might not have had before.
Drink water
It doesn’t matter if you’re not thirsty; you’re thirsty now. No matter the time of day, or if you need it, drink water. You have to drink water before band camp, during band camp and after band camp. You need to become a literal bottle of water. You’ll thank me once you experience band camp. Being hydrated is key to staying up on your feet through long practices.
Don’t miss sectionals
If you can help it, never ever miss a sectional. It’s one of the few times you’ll get to practice as a section once band camp is over and done with. Usually it’s packed with a lot of useful information such as possible changes in drill or music that section leaders might know before you. Or if you’re in guard, you could miss learning entire parts of routines. Basically, sectionals are really important.
Sunscreen, always
Never ever ever forget sunscreen. It is so important. You will get burned, maybe not at practices but definitely during band camp. Skin cancer is no joke, band kids.
Be prepared for all weather and wear the right clothes for that weather
If you live in the Midwest like me, the temperature fluctuates all the time, so you always want to be prepared for any type of weather. If it’s ninety degrees out and you wear all black, good luck, because you’re going to be in so much agony in an hour outside. Also, never wear jeans when its hot either. I’ve seen way too many people do that. If its cold outside, wear long sleeves, jeans and a jacket. Even if you remove that jacket later on, at least you were prepared for the worst.
Homecoming week
Homecoming week is a lot of fun but a lot of work. Be ready to not get a lot of homework done and have to make a lot of excuses. If you’re lucky, you won’t have too much work since the teachers know it’s homecoming week, but there’s no guarantee. You will have a lot of fun though, I can assure you of that.
Respect your peers
They’re just here to have fun and so are you, (hopefully). So don’t worry if someone said something about you being bad at one thing. Just work your butt off and show them that you’re a lot better than they think. In the end, you’re all a band and you all still have to go out and perform on the same field together. Putting differences aside shows a level of maturity that people can respect, and hopefully follow along with.
It's worth the work you put in
Hey, it may seem hard and you may want to quit, I don't know anyone who hasn't felt that way their first year, but you've committed yourself this year and once you do that there's no escape. But in all seriousness, Marching band is a tough group of people who work crazy long
hours to make their show the best it can be. Even if you’re going through your
final year, marching band will be a part of you for a long time after and the
people you met will impact your life forever.
