Marching Band Is A Sport
Content
Marching Band Is A Sport
Chris Lash
Sport
• Is Defined as a Solo/Team physical activity that is sometimes competitive • ALMS is a team of 100+ members • We are Judged at 2 Competitions and have qualified for states in 2005/2007
The Forgotten Sport
• MB is The Forgotten Sport • Considered A Hobby • In All Reality MB is:
– A Sport – An Extremely Physically Demanding Activity – And Most of All A WAY OF LIFE
Quick Facts
• In The Average Marching Season Of at least 2 hour rehearsals, 5 days a week and one 5 day week of at least 8 hour practices for 3 months the average marching band member marches 80-90 miles.
– That’s the equivalent of driving from here to:
• Toledo • Ashtabula • Marion, OH
Band Camp
• • • • • 12 Hour Day 830 am – 830 pm Outside for 8 of the 12 hours Marching Drill Till Legs Burn Sunburn Things we deal with
– – – – Heat Lack of breaks (Eddleman’s fault) Sore arms from attention The ever famous Band Camp Sickness
Everything We Do On The Field
• • • • • • • • • • Counting the music Counting the # of steps Remembering sets Counting rests in music Keeping shoulders parallel to sideline Keeping in step with band/music Not listening to percussion because they suck Remembering music notes Knowing when to halt/move NOT PASSING OUT
How Fast Are We Marching
• Appx: 120-180 steps per minute • At 160 SPM a person is generally marching 8-9 miles per hour • Mission: Impossible = 167 SPM • For Your Eyes Only = 100 SPM • Pretty Fly = 176 SPM • Cadence = 120/190 (Depending on what Dan wants that day)
But Why We Do It
Because
• • • • • • • After vigoursly practicing for hours on end Practicing alone for hours Leaving behind a social life Marching until your legs want to fall off You cant do one more push up You cant run one more lap And you throw everything you can pick up because the Band Director is an idiot
When That Crowd Cheers On Your Last Note
YOU KNOW IT WAS ALL WORTH IT
THAT’S WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND WHY IT IS MOST DEFINITELY A SPORT
Chris Lash
Sport
• Is Defined as a Solo/Team physical activity that is sometimes competitive • ALMS is a team of 100+ members • We are Judged at 2 Competitions and have qualified for states in 2005/2007
The Forgotten Sport
• MB is The Forgotten Sport • Considered A Hobby • In All Reality MB is:
– A Sport – An Extremely Physically Demanding Activity – And Most of All A WAY OF LIFE
Quick Facts
• In The Average Marching Season Of at least 2 hour rehearsals, 5 days a week and one 5 day week of at least 8 hour practices for 3 months the average marching band member marches 80-90 miles.
– That’s the equivalent of driving from here to:
• Toledo • Ashtabula • Marion, OH
Band Camp
• • • • • 12 Hour Day 830 am – 830 pm Outside for 8 of the 12 hours Marching Drill Till Legs Burn Sunburn Things we deal with
– – – – Heat Lack of breaks (Eddleman’s fault) Sore arms from attention The ever famous Band Camp Sickness
Everything We Do On The Field
• • • • • • • • • • Counting the music Counting the # of steps Remembering sets Counting rests in music Keeping shoulders parallel to sideline Keeping in step with band/music Not listening to percussion because they suck Remembering music notes Knowing when to halt/move NOT PASSING OUT
How Fast Are We Marching
• Appx: 120-180 steps per minute • At 160 SPM a person is generally marching 8-9 miles per hour • Mission: Impossible = 167 SPM • For Your Eyes Only = 100 SPM • Pretty Fly = 176 SPM • Cadence = 120/190 (Depending on what Dan wants that day)
But Why We Do It
Because
• • • • • • • After vigoursly practicing for hours on end Practicing alone for hours Leaving behind a social life Marching until your legs want to fall off You cant do one more push up You cant run one more lap And you throw everything you can pick up because the Band Director is an idiot
When That Crowd Cheers On Your Last Note
YOU KNOW IT WAS ALL WORTH IT
THAT’S WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND WHY IT IS MOST DEFINITELY A SPORT
