Advantages And Disadvantages Of Marching Band

Most people, who aren’t in marching band, think or believe that marching band is not a sport. To someone in the stands of a football game, it looks like kids in ‘fancy outfits’, ‘walking’ on the football field. There’s more to a band on a field than most people think. Blood, sweat, and tears, go into this activity, just like every other sport played competitively.

During the Summer, one week of August is taken away from the free time marching band kids have, the week of band camp. Each day of band camp is 8 hours, longer than the average school day. It’s a test to see how you march, how much water you really need and, how much pressure you can handle from the band directors. Even before school starts, you’re already preparing for the marching

band season.

There are seasons of marching band, just like baseball, or football. The season takes course over the Fall and a little bit of the Summer, as seen by band camp. During the season of marching band there are multiple practices. For example, the combined plymouth north and south marching band has 2 ½ hour practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays, along with 3 hour practices on Saturdays. The Plymouth North football players have a similar schedule. “Often times, we need to kick the football players of the field so we can practice”, according to Plymouth North band director Bonnie Holmes.

People argue by saying ‘marching band isn’t a sport’.

They say that there is no real skill, you’re playing an instrument while marching on a field. Right? Not really, marching isn’t the same as when you were in kindergarten. Instead of bringing your knees up high, you can’t move them at all, causing you to roll on your heels and put strain in the calves of your legs. Another challenge while marching is to always have your upper half of your body facing forward at all times, even while marching sideways.

Now, imagine the things I just said, while in competitions. A competition is when four or five judges watch you march, judging you on whether you’re marching on the right foot, making sure you’re on the right beat, and in the right spot at all times. You’re in a tight uniform, wearing a tall, wobbly, hat called a shako, while constantly moving your legs without bending your knees. Think of all the things I just listed, that’s a competition. It’s hard work, just like any other sport.

All in all, people will believe that marching band is and isn’t a sport. Just keep in mind, the next time you see your local high school or college marching band, look at there legs, and how they’re always in sync with each other. Listen to the music, and how smooth it sounds, even with them moving on the field. And look at how they always facing forward, doing there best, to keep things

‘perfect’.