College is hard. We like to make it harder by doing and having things other than school: a job, a social life, etc. One of those "extras", for me at least, is marching band. I am not a music major and have no affiliation with the School of Music, so I am not required to be in it. The music majors aren't even really required to be in it. Being a non-music major, the scholarship is very small compared to the time commitment. Two hours for four days a week for 4-5 months may not seem like all that much, until you factor in when you're supposed to do homework, or go to work, or sleep. It becomes a problem for many students very early on in their college careers. Somehow, I have survived nearly two years of The Pride of Mississippi, and I know staying in it and balancing my coursework around it are just going to get harder from here. I know this. It's inevitable. Despite being painfully aware that I am only making things worse for myself, I am not quite ready to put away my instrument forever.
Your section becomes your second family. Currently within my section of 23 people, 6 of them live with another member in some way, and another three are nearly inseparable. Like, kind of annoying inseparable. Our section GroupMe is rarely used to talk about actual band things, and usually about makeup questions or posting pictures of each other stealthily stalking one another in Starbucks. We know how to have fun together without needing a crazy party to go to... but we know how to do those too. Our next home football game is on Black Friday, which is really inconvenient for anyone that lives 3+ hours away. A good majority of The Pride will not get to be with their families on Thanksgiving because we have to be back in Hattiesburg by 8AM the next day. So, we are having a section Thanksgiving dinner to combat the imminent homesickness. Everyone is going to show up in their pajamas with various dishes, and it's going to be a great time.
It is the coolest thing being a part of an organization with nearly 100 years of alumni, respect, and tradition behind it. The Pride is the most seen part of Southern's School of Music, just because we perform at a variety of events. It's hard for a choir program or even a concert band/ensemble to hold a concert every week, which is essentially what we get at every football game. Saturdays at The Rock are my favorite, especially blasting along to Rejoice Southern. There is no way I could ever hear one of our drumline's cadences and not sing along/do the respective dance.
The networking system college marching band gives you is astounding. The world seems really small when you find out that one of your members helped at your high school band camp one year, or you finally befriend the girl you saw at three years' worth of band clinics. The bonds you form with these people will stay with you forever, especially when you march every show next to the same person and discover that you two have the same exact sense of humor. And although I may not know every single member's name, I know I share something special with everyone on that field.
in light of recent events, our director said something at practice last week that has stayed with me: "The Pride is a place where there will always be a place for you." College marching band is probably one of the most open and understanding organizations you could join. The people, lessons, and experiences are unforgettable. If you are considering making this year marching your last, think long and hard about it. Really. I haven't made my decision yet, but I know I'm not really ready to go.
