Essay On Marching Band In High School

Marching band was one of the most difficult/challenging activity systems that I have ever done in my life. But at the same time it was an inspirational and motivating aspect of my life. The very first thing it taught me was the definition of hard work. This was because I spent hundreds of hours to my dedication and devotion to band marching around the field in the hot sun every day. Even though there were times when I wanted to quit; one such instance was when we were out performed by another school, other times it was becuase of the teacher being a little too hard on me when I first started. Despite setbacks such as these, I had an ardent attraction to marching band, mainly because in middle school I was a part of concert band, which made me love music. The biggest, reason why I chose to do marching band, aside from my enjoyment of music, was because towards the end of my eighth grade year my middle school band director told us about a huge opportunity that we had coming up to become a part of the high school across the street marching band. They were called the Titan Regiment. She told us the difference between concert and

I spend so much of my time balancing my band and school life, I feel it would be impossible to ignore my legacy within my bands. My legacy would have to include what I’ve spent most of my time in, and what I loved doing. In my case, I’m lucky enough to have both of these be the same thing. I spend about nineteen hours a week working in marching band, and I have loved doing this the whole time. I am currently the senior drum major and if I was to look back at the legacy I have left behind, I would have to include this. Not only has it given me a chance to lead the band I love to be in, it has allowed me to teach and inspire passion within the younger members of my band to continue music.

So, most people have great memories right? Mine are marching band memories. Marching band started with my sister. My mom and my sister inspired me to do sports in the first place. It was either marching band or volleyball. Which I believe marching band was for the best. I'm working up to the things that my sister accomplished. My music has helped me develop my life, my values, and my goals.

When I first joined marching band after seventh grade, I missed the first summer practice to see a concert. At that time, I had no idea how much band would come to mean to me nor the unexpected amount of dedication needed. Before marching band, music was merely a casual thing, but it has transformed this old hobby into a greater priority. After just one season, this shift was noticeable. I certainly did not consider missing two days of a Disney World vacation to march at nationals when first reading the schedule. But this beloved sport worked its ways in a few short months. Through two marching seasons and a winter concert, band became one of the most prominent activities in my life.

“Drum major is your band ready?” if you haven’t heard this you must not be in marching band, and you most definitely haven’t lived in the color of music. Music has brought color in my life like you wouldn’t believe! I finally realized this at state. Crowds roaring for their home band, band moms screaming their lungs out for their kids, it’s where everyone gets to participate no matter how good you are, and you finally find meaning through music. Yeah it’s pretty great, and I’ll share my wonderful experience with you.

Marching band has been the most time-consuming and enjoyable extracurricular I have participated in throughout some of middle school and all of high school. I marched alto saxophone when I was in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades and I have been drum major (also known as field commander) since my sophomore year of high school. Having this job has been a huge responsibility, but it has also given me invaluable learning and leadership experience.

Marching band is a very hard activity. It’s fun but takes a lot of hard work, concentration and devotion. You have to have talent and the ability to follow directions when asked the first time. You have to follow instructions as if you were in the military. “They also follow directions like a military unit.” For example the conductor says stand straight and your shoe is untied. You cannot tie your shoe until told to do so. You have to wake up early in the morning to perfect the routines. You have to avoid greasy foods, wear sunscreen, and adjust to the heat, if you don’t you may get sick and/or burnt. “Caitlin, another band member, quickly learned to follow band director Mrs. Brooks's tips for adjusting to the heat. She also knows to avoid

The music started playing like I’ve heard before time and time again, morning practice after morning practice. In that moment I wanted to win. We deserved to win no matter what size of band we were, we worked to get into finals and I wanted to put on the best performance of the season. I took my first step into my spot on the squishy turf field and did what I’ve done multiple times before. Next thing I know I’m in my position on the field playing my last chord of our performance feeling utterly exhausted and like I’ve just ran a marathon. I felt like we all gave it everything we had and then the crowd stands up and gives us a standing ovation. It was the most incredible feeling I had ever gotten. At that moment everything seemed worth it, all of the six a.m. practices, the two weeks of band camp, running through the same sets over and over again in the ninety degree weather. Everything seemed like it wasn’t that bad, I didn’t want to be anywhere else in that moment. Then I heard the snare drum, amongst all of the applause, leading us off of the field. Once we were off everybody was tearing up and saying that they gave that performance all they had. Now all we had to do was wait until all of the others were done performing until we could figure out what we got. It was pure torture

The education that is enforce in our band is to be able to hear every instrument that is playing. If a certain instrument has a solo we are automatic suppose to play soft. There is a diagram in the concert band activity that we are suppose to follow. The type of music that is played in concert band is mostly classical. The uniform we wear is always slacks with a black blouse but it has to be black no matter what.

The first two or three sectionals of marching band, where you go and practice the marching music every Tuesday for four hours, were very awkward because I was by myself. Another flute showed up eventually and helped reduce the awkwardness. It was scary but it quickly became just something I did. Then the long hours, sunburns, dehydration, exhaustion, and fun started. We spent around six to seven hours outside marching, one to two hours practicing music, and one hour to eat lunch. To some people this might seem like nothing but for others it’s the opposite, and no

Although I will focus mainly on my senior year, I want to start from the beginning of freshman year. All throughout my high school days, my schedule has been very tight, with activities taking place just about every day. On Mondays, I had karate from six to nine, Tuesdays church band practice from five to eight, Wednesdays choir practice from seven to eight, and Thursdays through Saturdays free. Of course, Sunday was reserved for church. However, in my senior year of high school, my schedule worsened as I made the mistake of staying in marching band, and that removed my weekends of freedom, making my schedule tighter. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the marching band season, but it became frustrating at points because I would spend nine hours

In the blog “We Need to Fight this Trend: Marching Bands Taking Steps to Survive,” Karina Bland speaks of Gary Anderson’s pursuit to build up bands and highlights the importance of such a program. Both musical enthusiasts wish to keep band functioning for students, stating that “music may be the only thing that keeps them in school.” They are supportive of activities students find interest

Now that marching season is over the band has gone full force into the concert season.While the band is preparing for their upcoming Christmas concert many students have been preparing to try out for mid-state, where they will compete against other student musicians in middle Tennessee to get the best spot in the top band.

The band has progressed immensely since my freshman year and we continue to get bigger each year and I do not want to lose the principle of the band being a family. I also want to improve the band’s work ethic and emphasize how everyday there can be improvement. When the band feels as if they have done enough that’s when the marching season ends. Other aspects I want to work on are fundamentals, show music, and pep tunes. Fundamentals need to be ingrained into everybody’s head and show music should be memorized by the beginning of the new school year. Pep tunes should also be emphasized on; these are the only connection we have with the rest of the student body and they are what opinions of the band are based on. Many students who attend football games or pay attention at pep rallies come to me ask if the band is playing or not. We bring excitement to football games and this is also one of the many ways we represent our school. I know that with hard work and determination, this year will be the best there has been

Just a few days ago we were heading in the opposite direction. When I say “we” I mean all of us, the whole band. It’s a sort of mentality that was driven into us since sixth grade, that we are a collective unit and are only as strong as our weakest player. I was once again alone in my bus seat with my headphones on, blasting some sort of screaming music into my already damaged ears. Even though it was still day I slept away most of the trip. The bus was heading towards Indianapolis; the Godwin Heights marching band of 2010 was having its final hurrah at the Lucas Oil Stadium. We had just got first at the Ford Field House which was hosted by The Michigan Competing Band Association, and our hopes were high to repeat that. The show that year was