Marching band is one of the greatest things I ever had the chance to do, but marching band is very physical and requires a lot from you. Marching band and band kids are interesting and often misunderstood because of the stereotype that band isn't hard or that band kids are weird. Marching band has become popular and more kids are joining the sport -- yes, band is a sport, and as such is becoming something of a silent majority. I've taken it upon myself to not only educate non-band kids, but to reminisce in my junior high and high school years. I was in band for almost five years and didn't know it yet, but would come to appreciate what band gave me.
1. "One last time."
When the band director says, "One more time and then you can take a five minute water break," it really means "five more times and a 30 second water break." When a band director says "one more time," assume you're going to have to run the set more than that.
2. "One time at band camp" jokes
These jokes are the bane of our existence -- please stop making these jokes. Band camp is nothing like "American Pie" and never will be. Non-band kids, please do band kids a favor and stop.
3. There is no personal space.
Let's go ahead and address the tubas in the room. There is no personal space in band, especially on the buses. The relationship between band kids is a special one and is very personal.
4. "Turf turds"
Turf turds are very annoying and all band kids understand this. Turf turds are tiny pieces of black rubber within AstroTurf that get in your shoes and socks. Just when you think you've gotten rid of them, you'll end up filling your room with them.
5. "I can't, I have band practice."
No band kid truly has a social life. I'm not kidding. Just when you thought you were going to have a day off to hang out with your friends, band comes along and ends that. The phrase "I can't, I have band practice" becomes second nature in your vocabulary.
6. The human metronome
All band kids know that by the end of practice you have the metronome seared into your ears. You will hear the metronome in your sleep and in your dreams. The constant pinging of Dr. Beat is enough to drive you insane!
7. Dr. Phil the Band Director
Let's put it in simple terms -- your band director becomes your personal therapist. You will have mental breakdowns and your band director understands this. Maybe there is a quarrel between sections that requires counseling. It goes straight to the band director.
8. You have a new appreciation for H2O.
When breaks are "allegedly" five minutes, but really are 30 seconds, you come to appreciate water. You don't want to be the kid who doesn't drink water because you will get harassed like crazy (all in good fun of course). Some sections will make you do push ups or run for missing practice so you don't make the mistake of forgetting to hydrate ever again.
9. We all look forward to the trips.
I took a lot of trips in band and all of them were fun! Every year we went to Tulsa, OK for competition, but we took two amazing long-distance trips. My first trip was to Washington D.C. to march in the Independence Day parade -- let me just say, nothing even gets close to marching in that parade. My second trip was to St. Louis, MO for marching band competition in the Edward Jones Dome Stadium. Band trips are life-changing and nothing compares to these trips!
10. One big family
The most important thing all band kids are aware of is the fact that we are all one big family. In my band, after every practice we would chant, "One band, One goal!" This was our motto, our creed and it symbolizes the unity we share. We are one band with one goal -- to be the best we can be. That is the most important thing about band, because if one person messes up, we all mess up -- we are only as strong as our weakest musician. I am so glad I was part of band because it made me who I am today and has transformed thousands of people.
