My daughter gave me something to think about this weekend. She asked me, "Why do people always seem to make fun of the marching bands?" Of course, the Jock in me wanted to say, "because they are nerds." BUT I DID NOT SAY IT.. lol However, I simply asked her, "What brought that on?"

Her answer shocked me a bit, because it was quite good. She made these points.

1. In some schools the marching band members get P.E. credits.
2. There are competitions for the Marching bands and they are based on physical as well as musical performance.
3. It is "really hard to carry those big instruments around."

So after making that point, she said this: "If people treated marching band as if it were a sport instead a bunch of 'band nerds' that can't do anything else, maybe more people would be into it."

So it got me to thinking about this subject. It does take physical coordination, and conditioning along with musical talent combined to do well in the marching competitions. It also takes hours upon hours of practice to truly be good, as much if not more so than the football players have to go through.

Have any of you ever been at a game and watched a band that made you stop on your way to the concession stand, or sit back down in your seat? Maybe stop a conversation to watch and listen? If so, have you considered what it takes to be that good?

It took me having a daughter in marching band to even ponder this idea.

I saved another point that my daughter made for last, and it is what really turned me around.

Marching bands and marching band competitions have been around longer than football. It was the marching bands of many armies who led the way to battle in the past. It was marching bands who kept up the morale of the troops during the Revolutionary War. And a good band can rally the players on their football team when the fans are nothing more than background noise. A good band can be a source of great pride in one's school even if the football team isn't all that good.

Sure, marching bands are not the brave men who led troops into battle these days. They are pretty much relegated to football fields and parades. Let me ask you this. How many football players would march 7 miles in asphalt while carrying a 20lb instrument (maybe something heavier), and using their breath to play it? How many could?

So is marching band a sport? Should it even be considered a sport? I'm beginning to believe so. What do you say?

i was in the band as well as played football... i marched at halftime and was on the football team at the same time. i would not say that marching has as a much physical part as football but it does require a good bit of concentration. can u imagine marching to a tune and make the steps to go along with it on beat. its not the easiest thing to do???? i for one think that if i would have put as much into football as i did in to band i probably could have played football at another level, maybe not d-1, but maybe at a lower level. just my 2 cents on the subject

My daughter is in the Whitehouse band, and I'm always amazed how they can get 200 kids to be that organized! I don't think it's a sport, but I know she always loses weight when marching season starts!

Tatums band isnt big but last week I actually listened and LIKED their performance.. Themes from the movie Gladiator.. Sounded good.. Good job gals and guys.

I have nothing bad to say about our Marching Band they do great year in and year out, BUT.....BUT... NB needs to get a different routine, as far back as i can remember, they have had the same march and almost the same music every year... NB has a great marching band, always has, they just need a different routine.... JMO

Being apart of the band certainly takes a lot more time and effort than many people give it credit for. I was in band for 3 years, but dropped out after that. I just lost interest. With band (marching or concert) you practice, you play, you work from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and then back again that night. In some sense "Summer band" is a lot like two-a-days. Physically?? Eh, not entirely no (I can say that because I've seen both sides). But you have practice, you have 'scrimmages', you have time with your group (tubas work with tubas--in both marching and playing) (QBs with QBs) etc. Players memorize plays, the band memorizes the drill AND the music--which can, at times be two and three sheets if I remember correctly. They may not be as physically demanded of but there's no way one can't say that band is, 'nothing.'

Physically, there is the obvious difference of no contact, except when I got hit by an errant flag girl who grounded one count too early. Nasty cut.
If you have marched a show, you know it is exhausting as running a race. Just look at a band member who has marched and played his contest show when the horns go down, and see the sweat and labored breathing.
Practice is demanding, I won't get into comparisons with sports for the sake of debate, just suffice it to say that the hours and physical side are tough on the body. Top drum corps usually recommend people run to get in shape before reporting for the season.
A "Sport"? Band is a physically demanding activity,which requires physical and mental skills as well. It does involve (in many areas) competition, or a contest, but not a game in the "traditional" sense.

ESPN having Poker on does not make it a sport, that is a "Game". But, for lack of a venue, it gets a niche on ESPN. Kind of like the Weather Channel showing Earthquakes?

If you look at the definition of a sport, without the East Texas Friday Night Glasses, it is a lot closer to being a sport than, say fishing.

I'll stand by for all the grief I'll get from fishermen. make sure you read and understand what I said before you answer, though.

I always liked the saying band people are athletes with instruments. We practice alot. I think alot of people don't understand how much time and effort go into it. I would honestly say we pay alot more attention to detail. Every band has a different style. Therefore we are all judged differently

I am part of a marching band and I think anyone who says that its not as physically demanding as any sport, has never tried it and I'd be willing to bet that they would be the first person to quit. I agree that there is the lack of physical contact (in most cases) but there is much more to concentrate on than any other "sport." Like Lovin said, you have to focus on so many factors in marching and playing. With marching alone, you have to think about correct step size, stride, posture, rolling your feet through every step and sometimes even marching backwards, as in any corps style and even some military style bands. Then you have to add in the musical factor... You have to memorize the music, listen across the band for balance and intonation, know when to breath so that you don't breathe in the same places as anyone around you, and play at the right volumes and articulations at the right times so you don't stick out. As anyone can see, this clearly requires a certain amount of ability not only on the individual level, but also the team level, just like any other sport. And finally, for those who don't know, bands actually are judged on a rating system, and compete against other bands, just like some sports teams compete against other sports teams. With all of these similarities between marching band and other sports, I don't see how anyone could think that it's not a sport, unless, like I said earlier, they have never actually tried it. I guess what I'm trying to say is, yes, marching band should be considered a sport... (Open to any friendly argument. )

I have always been around athletics in some form or fashion, let me just say that I developed a respect for marching band when I was in Marine boot camp. I remember telling myself at that time that if I ever became a coach I would respect the band and the work and dedication it takes to march and play an instrument. Call it what you want, but you have to have some motor skills to do this, so yes I would say they have some athletic ability to do this.

I love music and I love sports. You have to have both, but the marching band, the majorettes, and the cheerleaders are just sideliners. They're not sports.

In school, a few of the football coaches would always say that they were glad they were never in marching band, because of how hard it looked during practice. It's just not strolling down the field while making noise. It's upper body carriage, staying in a straight line ( which is easier said than done), keeping in step, remembering when to turn ( because if you turned on the wrong count you'll get hurt, screw up the whole drill and have to start over from the beginning), and not moving the pivot point. The reason people think it is easy is because the good bands make it look easy. It's not at all easy. You have to sound just as good on the last note as you did on the first note. After marching and playing an eight minute drill, you are drained, but it doesn't matter, you still have to sound and look good.

Another thing is the pop tunes for the majorettes and drill team. The band has to memorize two pop tunes every week. So after the band plays those songs, they are already tired once they begin the drill. It's like running a marathon. Then after the show, most bands have to stand at attention or parade rest for the other 15 minutes, try holding a twenty or thirty pound weight for 30 minutes and see how easy it is.

You may not consider marching band a "sport" in the true sense of the word, but the physical and mental ability it takes to get through a drill is every bit as demanding as it is in any sport. To try and compare the two is kinda like comparing apples to oranges. To get an idea of what it takes go to a rehearsal, especially a great band, or even better a top DCI Corps. I dare any athlete to keep up with the physical routine of one of the top DCI groups.

Have you ever been to a game where there was no band, cheerleaders, drill team, etc? Boring!

Well, I believe that if you can go to a competition, and you compete, if you can win and take home trophies and medals just like contact sports, it is considered a sport.

Band isnt a sport. I think in order for something to be a sport there must be direct head-to-head competition with a winner or loser not something that a third party judges who they liked best. That isnt to say that band isnt physically demanding because it is. I have much respect for the band and enjoy their presentations, it just isnt a sport, it is an activity.

Heck Yeah it's a sport, you ever see the movie drumline? Ever hear of Drum Corp International? The band deserves respect just like the jocks get. The band has to practice in the heat just like the football boys, play & perform in heavy wool uniforms buttoned at the neck in 100+ heat, the athletes uniforms are lite weight & at least they can take off their helmets. I was a jock & a band member and my daughter is a proud band member. Hang you hang with them?

Watch :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Lr00_zxbY

Much respect to anyone who's ever been involved with DCI. If you've never been to a DCI competition, I'd encourage you to go. Impressive sounds and impeccable marching drills. They are definitely some of the ones that make it look easy. But it takes a lot of work, dedication, and talent to be a part of something like that. I can only hope that someday I'll have the oppurtunity to be in a DCI group.

Then they would have stopped this play, instead of getting spiked on : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZCCAqoSwY

Not the same....apples and oranges

I don't believe it has as much of an intense physical workout as a sport but it does use more mental work. A Sport? No, i think marching band deserves its own category, kind of like balle. It appears as an artistic activity but it applies alot of physical work... physical art haha....

Sorry to disagree, but if you are not sweaty and out of breath when you finish a drill, you are not working hard enough. It is an intense 8 minutes of non-stop action. IMO.

Its a lot of hard work all the way around. I also really respect football players that play in the band (thats really lots of work and time spent).

4 years in HS band are my athletic credits.
Only if you march during the season do you revieve it though.

I think it is, why shouldn't it be? It takes hard work and dedication.

Heck Yeah... Pouring Sweat and Out of breath.

I am not believing this, bands and drumlines are a sport. Dancing and Chess are a sport. Then again, this is the greatest coach that ever existed : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMvqPffzDMQ

Golf, or even hunting.
How much athleticism is required?

Now Dave, you have put up some strange things in the past but this one is way off base. No relation what so ever!

Bashing musicians? Come on...just because they don't strap on a helmet or shoot 3's...pretty narrow-minded.

Actually, the true sense of the word, if you go by definition, Marching band IS a sport. I battled with the same thought internally, but realized the 'traditional' sense involves a ball, while the true sense removes the ignorance of what it really is. A competition involving physical and mental skill.
Go on tour with the Cavaliers or Cadets, and see if you can keep up with those kids all summer! If it's the physical side being used as an argument, you have to be objective, and realize it is demanding in it's own way. In much the same way baseball is different from basketball, marching just has different physical demands. It has different physical skills required, and different mental and intelectual qualities are required. Pooh-pooh it of as a non-sport if you wish to be that narrow minded.

What is athletisism? A physical ability to perform a skill required to compete? Or is the definition just limited to Strong or Fast?
Golf : yes, ability is required. That is why I #### at it.
Hunting: yes, the physical ability to hold a steady shot and repeat it on demand.
I admit, there are some things that are "games", such as poker and chess, but when physical ability is required in a competition, regardless of whether or not it is a 'big' or 'traditional' sport, it is nonetheless a sport.
Try the dictionary, and see if the real definition doesn't surplant your own.



And the roar of the crowd!

agreed

They are musicians, and I appreaciate many of their practice and perspiration. I suppose by definition it is a sport. It's just not the tier level of football, baseball, basketball, etc. . I won't ever put them on the same pedestel.

Nor should you...again to compare the two is like apples to oranges...both good, but different.

I'm in the Joaquin marching band. We march on the practice "field" 40-50 times. With all the rain we've recieved we marched threw ankle deep water every morning. It paid off though!! We recieved a 1 region 21 contest our first 1 since 1989!! Marching through ankle deep water then an inch or so mud under it's hard and bands don't get the respect they deserve. Football players have four 12 minute quarters 4 downs and time outs to do what they gotta do. Marching Bands have one 8 minute shot thats it. So yea we have a ton more pressure i think then football players. 1 shot for bands thats it.

You might if you knew how to spell pedestal

Come on....you know that spelling doesn't count for much on here. Give him a break.

Congrats on the "1"! Probably has much to do with the hard work and less to do with marching in the mud. And don't think you have more pressure on you as a band than the football team does. That's just not right....like I said...apples to oranges...

Well, since most of them love to wear pastel colors. They'd jump on a misspelling. I suppose I should give JohnnyRudiment a tiara.

K.

Dave--no need to take a cheap shot.

Unless you have been in a "sport" that involves a ball AND been in the band, I don't think you can really say one over the other.

There are many similarities in the two categories such as hard work, dedication, team effort, the sense of accomplishment when something great is achieved together, the sense of disappointment when there is failure. Earlier, someone commented on the fact that in a traditional sport, the athletic ability of the team, or the individual, is the determining factor for 'winning,' and in band, the decision one whether or not you are "good" is determined by judges, not necessarily a head-to-head competition. And when it is head-to-head, it is still up to someone else's opinion at that moment in time. The judge may or may not like your music, your drill, your uniforms, your volume, your director, and they ultimately choose your fate. In that case, then no-band is not a sport. Is band physically, emotionally, spiritually tiring? Heck yes, especially when the group has a common goal for success. And football, baseball, volleyball and all those others are as well.
(BTW someone else said that physical contact was required, but not all sports have that either )

About a decade ago, DCI (also already discussed) ran a clip on the tape of the physical experience of marching a complete show. So they got a tenor (drum) player and hooked him up with a breath monitor, heart monitor and the like and he marched a show. It was PROVEN and shown that that young man, moving at up to 160 beats A MINUTE was exerting himself more fully than any known record of an athlete with the same tests run. A show lasts from 8-12 minutes. Athletes exert, stop, exert, stop, or pace themselves accordingly. And imagine what the oxygen levels are like when you are moving that way and playing your guts out on a 35 pound instrument!

And DCI for the past several years has been shown on ESPN2.