It seems like most of my friends feel like they get shit for being in band or orchestra. I think that is insane. I have the utmost respect for band kids and what they do. “Band geeks” unite! Be Strong! You are the good ones.

Band takes a lot of hard work and talent. You have to play your instrument often to keep up your skills and (hopefully) improve. Seriously, rhythm patterns are hard and sometimes confusing to follow, let alone getting your fingers to catch all the flats while pounding out sixteenth notes. This takes skill, a skill that not everyone has and a pretty awesome skill to have. Plus, once you develop these skills, you can play anything you want.

You probably assume that band kids cannot play anything except “boring” classical music on their instrument. First off, “boring” classical music is actually beautiful if you can learn to appreciate it. Secondly, many band kids can play plenty of non-classical music. I’m sure you’ve heard the pep band play “Uptown Funk,” “Moves Like Jagger” or “Don’t Stop Believing” at football and basketball games. The world of music is their oyster, and they can do anything with it.

There are so many things you can do when you can play an instrument! You can play for your church, jam with friends, play at open mic nights, enter student concerts, be in pep or jazz band and just enjoy playing. Take advantage of all these things that non-band kids wish they could do, that you can (and should) do. What a great way to meet new people!

And, of course, the people in band make you want to keep playing. Band kids are hilarious. They are quirky, funny, entertaining and utterly amazing! They are the real reason you have played for so long, and your motivation to keep playing. You’ll have friends that you met in band for the rest of your life, and your band director will Facebook friend you the second you graduate.