Its marching band season! Band camps are geared up and ready for the upcoming season.For those who were never in band in school,or have had a child in marching band I would like to share what the experience is like for most.
Band camp is grueling.It is done on an asphalt parking lot in the scorching hot sun in the hottest month of the year- every day- all day for about 2-3 weeks.The first day of school for these kids is usually a month before everyone else. Duct tape takes on new meaning as they mark their spots where they will be on the field.Hours of walking on their tip toes,side stepping,running,walking backwards,knee bends(all while carrying heavy instruments,some up to 20 lbs)playing the same thing over and over until they get it right.Do not be late for anything-you may get laps,pay attention to the drum major and band director or you may be sorry or in for an embarrassing experience.I have always thought that it should count for a credit in physical education.It is extremely physical.
Band students have a reputation of being band geeks.But what I have found is that they are the coolest kids in school.The smart kids,the ones who have a group they are bonded to that carries friendships through school and beyond,They learn the importance of fundraising,dedication,perseverance,drive,team effort,following instructions,and how to play a musical instrument.All things that will stay with them for life.I have the utmost respect for these kids.I admire their hard work and love to watch them at games enjoying the brother/sisterhood of their elite group as they show off their skills to everyone else in the school.
The parents of these kids are some of the most involved parents in the school.The amount of volunteer hours it takes and organization to keep this group working like a machine is mind boggling.But those crazy band moms and dads make it happen.In my son's school they surpass any of the sports teams in parent/student participation.When you go to home games, you better 'get there early or you won't be able to find a seat in the stands.But if you wait until halftime is over you may be able to find a seat.Our joke is that there is a football team on the marching band field and there is a football team opening up for the main event.When we go to competitions I am amazed at how many kids we have in our little county school's band compared to city schools with 5x the students.We are massive,a force to be reckoned with. While some city schools have only 40 kids in their band.It is all how it is perceived at that particular school.We need to be promoting these music programs more than sports for so many  reasons.It has been proven that learning to play music helps the brain function.The kids in band learn group effort and teamwork at a different level.There are no parents arguing with coaches and referees,no superstar members,no special privilege for being a sports player-everything is earned.There are scholarship programs for band -as many as athletics,and probably easier to get.The kids are the "good kids" in school,not the hoodlums and trouble makers.
I am so proud to be part of the marching band family at my son's high school.My older two sons were baseball players and it was fun,but this marching band experience has been so much more than that.I love it! I wish all schools would put more emphasis on the band program than athletics.Your child will never suffer a life long injury in the band.Our priority in this country is on athletics but having a child going into professional sports these days doesn't look that appealing to me as a parent.I kind of equate it with being a rockstar.The money is great,but look at the lifestyle that these guys have these days.Criminals,drugs,excess of wild living.Not all of them-but I prefer my kid be a dorky little band geek,who spends time with good kids and doing his homework.
Tonight the high school that my son plays snare on drum line for will be performing for the parents-we get to be the first to see their production.I will be so swollen up with pride for all these kids this evening.It is always one of my favorite nights of the year.Here's to all you band kids-you make us band parents proud.