There may be as many as 500+ members in a marching band, each having their own part that inter-locks with the 499 others'. I believe marching band should be considered a sport. Everyone must be incredibly coordinated and precise. The band as a whole, and individually must practice. Then there's all the physical stresses that you have to overcome.…
To those of you who say marching band should not be considered a sport because it doesn’t compete, that isn't true. Marching band should definitely be considered a sport. There are competitions within schools. And guess what, there is scoring and ranking. Also, if carrying and blowing into a heavy instrument while walking a mile in seven minutes isn't physically exhausting, then maybe you just are more athletic than average. You must be physically and mentally healthy for marching band. Also, you must practice a lot and memorize music and drills. You also go to practice at school as much, if not possibly more, than a football team.…
According to the dictionary, marching band is “a group in which instrumental musicians perform for the purpose of entertainment and exercise.” However, this rigorous activity provided more lessons that impacted my life: dedication, determination, and organization.…
When I drum I lose track of time, the different types of rudiments put together in all different orders makes me happy. When I try to get faster at drumming I play to all sorts of songs. I’ll get lost for hours drumming. Over time I hope to join some of the best marching groups in DCI and WGI. I hope to join groups like Matrix, Phantom Regiment, or Blue Coats. When I want to learn more I’ll ask people like Mr.Reynolds or Dave our percussion instructors. My favorite part about drumming is how with the right touch you can make a bunch of loud noises and crashes become into beautiful music. I would like to learn how to play the actual drum set instead of just the marching snare. Over my marching band career I played lot of different pieces and…
When a person thinks of the word ‘sport’ their minds go to the big three: baseball, basketball, and football. Webster’s dictionary defines a sport as “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” Most activities are either a sport or they are not. It’s simple, but there is one that tends to confuse people, cheerleading. People cannot agree on whether cheerleading takes on the task of being a sport. A reason some people may not know might be a result of them not understanding cheer.…
A sport is defined as “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature” (Dictionary.com). Someone can’t roll out of bed and be an amazing cheerleader. Cheerleading is an activity that takes massive amounts of skill and physical prowess, but on July 22nd of 2010 Connecticut Judge Stefan R. Underhill ruled competitive cheerleading as not being a sport. Considering the physical demand of the activity, the court system should reconsider competitive cheerleading as a sport.…
But, to be honest, being a band geek has nothing to do with marching band. Being a band geek means that they go overboard with being in band, not that they are in band. This stereotype is the main reason why people don’t appreciate marching band and the work that they put into a performance. Everyone notices the work and performance of the football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, softball, track, cross-country, golf, and soccer players, but not the marchers. This is because society has told the general population that being in a sport automatically makes them “cool” and that everyone needs to pay attention to everyone that plays a sport. So, based on this logic, if marching band is found and counted as a sport, then every marcher would be considered “cool” and would probably be invited into the “popular” crowd, instead of being stuck as their own group that hangs out only in the band room. This is why so many people have been debating over the topic of marching band becoming a sport. They don’t want the “band geeks” at the same level of popularity as they are. Aside from all of the fears of marching band becoming a sport, here are some reasons why marching band should be considered a sport. Marchers work just as hard as football players. Marchers and football players both practice for crazy amounts of time and prepare for one event. Sports teams and marching bands all work towards one…
When the typical person thinks of sports they think of football, baseball, or basketball. While those are all great sports, what about those sports that aren't classified as sports, but should be? Marching band should be considered a sport for many reasons. Marching band teaches many of the same lessons that can be learned through sports, such as: dedication, academic responsibility and the importance of physical health. I have gained knowledge of these things through marching band. With that being said, I feel that I would be a great candidate for this scholarship.…
Sweat drizzles down my skin as it exits my pores trying to cool my heated body. The blood rushes through my veins pumping blood with the consistent pounding of my heart. Every breath, every second, every action, every thought; I am standing where everything counts. Artificial turf and grass crumpled beneath my torn black shoes and the thick silence only cut by the timed chants from afar. This is the last moment I will stand here for this reason. This is the last moment I will stand here with my family. This is the last moment of my marching band career. Many will say that this was a special group of kids, others will say that this year was a show that was made to make it. I, on the other hand, will say that this was because of seven years of dedication.…
Before I had even started high school I hit a very deep depression. I struggled with it for years. I felt I had no family and no friends. It was a very hard time for me. I didn't enjoy talking about my feelings or being around people due to the fact that I felt I just annoyed those around me. Despite this, I continued doing what I loved most: music. I began marching band my eighth grade year and loved the feeling of being on the field in the lights when our assistant band director would come over the loud speaker announcing the "McClain Marching Tigers and Tigerettes". It helped me find and accept who I am. I gained confidence and learned to lead and understand. It even introduced me to my closest friend whom introduced me to his friend group, giving me the first group of friends I had in my life. I've met so many new people and learned so many new skills throughout my marching career and I look forward to finishing out my senior year with the people who have been there with me from the beginning.…
Marching band and concert band have two completely different concepts. However, many high school students consider the word band as being able to play some kind of musical instrument. Being a five year marching band member and playing in concert band for seven years, I feel as if I know the difference between these two activities. One of the main differences between marching and concert band is the mental process one must go through to memorize the music and the steps on the field. Obviously marching band is much more physical than concert band, and the adrenalin one gets before competing is extraordinarily different. Another noticeable difference is the marching band is under the direction of a student drum major and not the actual band director who conducts all concert band activities. Personally, I do not understand why the students at my high school did not know the difference between marching and concert band. In my opinion, the difference is very clear.…
If school athletics were eliminated, we could help students avoid concussions and injuries that could play a great effect on their life. Concussions have nearly tripled in the last decade with middle and high school aged students (Report: Pressure on Teen Athletes Soars). This means that sports are becoming more and more intense and dangerous and playing negative effects on student’s lives. Playing sports comes with risk of very harmful injuries and limiting the sports played at school could make students much safer. Head injuries can take students out of the game for the rest of their lives, and make their lives different forever. Concussions are a big problem with sports today, but so is the amount of pressure put on these student athletes.…
The Ohio State University Marching Band has been a big part of The Ohio State University campus and band history for a long time. The Ohio State Marching Band has influenced many people around the state and the country. Although becoming a member of The Ohio State Marching Band takes great effort and discipline in high school, staying a member of the band all four or five years of college takes even more tenacity.…
Many people argue that competitive cheerleading is not a sport, but it is a sport. When individuals hear the term cheerleader people only think about those seen on the sidelines at your typically sporting event. But, not those who are out there cheering on the mat for about the most important two and a half minutes of their life. Sport is defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment (Oxford). Cheerleading requires hard work dedication as well as motivation for a successful team. Teammates must attend practice daily as well as get good grades to be able to partake in this physical activity. Competitive cheerleading is a sport because athletes…
A light sweat trickled down my back as the sun’s rays were beating down on me harshly when Alexa and I arrived at Warner’s Stadium. It was the first football game of the season and I was here helping out the band in the concession stands. For the past few weeks, I have been trying to get Alexa to become a part of the marching lions with her siblings but she keeps on stubbornly refusing. I have brought her with me to talk to some of the members in the band, see how much fun they have, and how close they are to one another. Hopefully we can convince Alexa to join the band tonight.…