Is band hard? Should it be a sport?
Band requires many skills and should be considered a sport.
The Field
This is the field the band spends most of there time on. They leave all there sweat, blood, and tears all right here. Where they work off there butts and work to their full potential.
Drill Book
The infamous drill book as the band would like to say. We have to put all our dots, step sizes, music, and many more things on to one page for each set. They take these for a grade and we use them to perfect our marching.
The Schedule
The schedule for the band is more complicated then this. We practice 5 out of the 7 days every week. On weekdays we practice at least 3 hours and on Saturday it ranges from what time the competition starts.
Instruments
As a section we all line our instruments up when we aren't using them. They have to be perfect and if they aren't we get in trouble. You would think getting yelled at wouldn't be that bad but for us we don't wanna chance it.
Music and drill
People think bands play easy music and it isn't challenging but that is certainly not the case. In most bands you 3-4 pieces of music and they are 2-3 pages long. Memorizing these can be a challenge. We have to also memorize 100 plus pages of drill.
The "push up rule"
In the Avon Marching Band there is a 10 push up rule. If you kick another instrument or mess up you are supposed to get down and do push ups. This is only part of the physical workout aspect.
Posture and horn angle
Correct posture and horn angles are a must in band. The tubas which is pictured above show whats its like to be at attention and what its like to be at horns up. You have to have the perfect elbows,arms and back alignment.
Props
Most bands have props and with those props come the responsibilities to take them to and from the field. The props are about 10 feet tall and way a lot. Pushing these things is a leg and arm workout. We do this before and right after practice.
Guard
Marching on the field you have so many things you have to worry about. Music, drill, props, and guard. The guard does all their dancing and twirling around you and you have to be aware so you don't get hit.
Winning
There are multiple competition a year for band. This includes our 2 biggest state and nationals. These are some of the trophies the Avon Marching Band has won but it doesn't compare to the full amount. To win you need to work and be focused and band teahces you these things.
Why is it hard? Why should it be a sport?
Band is not only a mental thing but a physical thing too. It requires skill and you strive to achieve a goal. The band is like on big family and you all work together to achieve one common thing. The physical part pushes you to your full potential. Band teaches you things other activities don't. Responsibility, respect, and determination are just a few of these things. All in all band helps kids in many ways and is such a wonderful thing.