Marching band is totally a sport. We practice hard on a field, we compete, and I'd like to see you walk twenty yards in sixteen counts... backwards. Amirite?

... In the mud, in the rain, with an instrument, while playing.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

HA! this soo made my day! especially since i just got outta band practice! and very true dude! ppl dont understand how hard it really is.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Haha this year was the first year any of us could say we've been cold at band camp. For some reason, it was dark and windy so we got out sweatshirts in August :D :D

by Anonymous 13 years ago

We got the 120 degree sunny, no cloud weather. I dislike you because of my jealousy right now.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Oh yeah, I remember doing about faces in sixth grade. It was torture, but totally worth it because we looked great.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I call cross-country a sport: I'd like to see you run a 4000 to 5000 meter race... We practice HARD on a trail, and yes, we do compete. You wouldn't consider rock-paper-scissors a sport because they practice and compete, would you? Definition of sport: Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Just wondering but are you saying that marching is not a sport or you disagreeing with the wording of this post?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

By your definition of a sport, marching band does fit. It is a physical activity as the OP has pointed out. It is governed by a set of customs (march in time to the music, always lead with your left foot, make interesting shapes, etc.). Also, marching bands do compete competitively against one another. By the way, I also consider cross country a sport; I just believe marching band is as well.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yeah, what was your point with that? Did the OP say that cross country wasn't a sport? And Rock, paper, scissors isn't physical.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Marching band has rules, certain things can't be done. At Bands of America competition nothing can be taller than 10 feet, meaning our band could only use 8 ft ladders and below in our show this year. We compete against numerous bands and get scored based of different things. Such as, difficulty, design, marching, how well its being performed...ect. We are scored. And it's very physical, so by your definition it is a sport.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

We use your sport to warm up. It may not be 4000-5000 meters, but it's still quite a bit of running.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

BAND IS NOT A SPORT

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Obviously spoken by someone who has never tried to play in a band.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Umm, no. Sorry, but 'marching band' is definatley not a sport.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Why do you say so? I'm curious because I use to play soccer and tae kwon do together but I never got as tired at practice or worked as hard at soccer and tkd as I do at marching band

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Well you obviously weren't trying that hard at soccer or tkd.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

No need to be rude. I just wanted to know why you think marching band isn't a sport. I tried very hard at both. I played for select and my high school at soccer and for tkd I made red belt (which is the belt before black) Its just that marching band takes a lot more work and concentration. Plus I play the hardest instrument to march.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's not a sport. If you don't keep score, it's not a sport.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Well you obviously never been to a marching competition we get a score out of a hundred on how well we preform. So yes, we do keep score.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I noticed your name changed... So which are you, nikki or gabby?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I love how you changed the topic when you realized you were wrong. And you obviously aren't in band, because you don't realize how hard we work.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

how did I change the subject? It is not a sport.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Umm, talking about the chick's name?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm Gabby, I was using my sister's computer at the time and the name that pops up in the box is Nikki and I just forgot to change it. sue me if you would like.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

by your logic, a few rounds of tic tack toe would count as a sport, because technically you keep score of that. and also, bands that get judged at competitions have a scoring system.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

thank you, i know.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

You do not keep score in band, so it is not a sport

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Sorry but you do keep score in marching band. At least in competing bands.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

You get judged. You don't score

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm guessing you're one of those people who dont' think cross country is a sport either. You don't score there, but it is a sport.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

...you win the race? Someone's opinion of how you did doesn't matter. There is a clear winner.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

there are scores though. your placement is based on the score that you receive overall.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

(Your+name+(optional)): its still based off of peoples opinions though

by Anonymous 13 years ago

(Your+name+(optional)): There are scores out of 100, at least in the competitions that my school goes to. That would make it something like the other sports that have points out of a certain limit (gymnastics, I think?)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Nope there are scores. Actual scores for what we do. Different things gets a different amount of points thus we get a score. Now stop being a numb skull and move on with life.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Wow, sounds really intense. Not. You have no idea what hard is kid. I have been in Olympic training for track since I was 5. 5!

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm willing to bet I'm older than you so do not call me kid. I do not care about your training I never said track wasn't a sport, but maching band is a much as a sport as everything else and your definitions of a sport equal marching band so just shh and move on because you are not right.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Marching band is not a sport. End of story, kid.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

You my dear are a hateful bitch and bad at aurguing your point. End of story, bitch.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Oh darn, my feelings are hurt. No, not really. Having fun at matching band ( which isn't a sport, bitch!)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Honey if you think I care if your feelings are hurt you are so wrong. Calling you a bitch is simpley my way of letting you know that you are acting like a bitch with a 10 foot pole shoved up your ass. I am having tons of fun at marching, which is a sport by your own definition.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

No it's not.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Eh, I dunno. I think it's pretty stupid that my school considers band a sport, but not JROTC. JROTC practices hard, goes out of town on competition, gets scored, and is actually able to win trophies/national titles. Our marching band at least doesn't do that, aside from the practicing, and they only go out of town for away games. Just because marching band is difficult and exhausting doesn't automatically render it a sport. Perhaps, an extracurricular activity or performance group with lots of effort involved.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Many bands actually do go out of town for marching band competitions and are scored and win trophies. But I do agree with you that at your school JROTC should be considered a sport as well.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Well, I'm sure that some bands do. Ours doesn't though. However, I suppose those bands that do *could* be considered a sport.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Is there a varsity band? Or a JV team? Do you get cut if you're not good enough? Since your saying band is a sport, does that make you a jock?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

In college bands, yes, you get cut if you're not good enough.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

One of our band's big rivals doesn't let their freshmen (and possibly) sophomores march. (They still have 300 people o.O But that's beside the point...) I'm pretty sure they have to audition to get into the band.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yes, you do get cut from band if you don't play and march well enough. By the way, JV= Football show. Varsity= Competition and Football show.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

how is it a sport? All you do is march and play a damn instrument.. Were is the official licensing of band? Where is it in huge international competitions? I dont see it in the olympics or world known competitions

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Drum Corps International

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Drum Corps is an excellent example. There are so many grown men & women STILL in band because they enjoy it so much. There are also winter guards for people who have graduated HS and still wish to continue doing it. Marching band is a category of it's own. We work just as hard as anyone else just in a different manner. Football players always strive to get that touchdown, Soccer players always strive for the winning goal..ect. But band strives to get the perfect notes/step offs/choreography. So stop being so immature, if you've never done it you can't say shit. You have to go through the entire process, band camp/hours upon hours of practice, football games, competitions, before you can state your opinion.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Its not a sport at all! Marching band being considered as a sport??? That's so stupid! You win, lose or tie in sports. Even though it might be hard...its not physically challenging, ( although for certain people it might be, but not as physically challenging as sports).

by Anonymous 13 years ago

If it's not physically challenging, let's see you do it. How about we strap a twenty pound drum on you shoulders and have you march at 200 beats per minute all across the field for fifteen straight minutes while trying to play said drum in some sort of semblence of a beat. After you try that, then you can comment on whether or not marching band is physically challenging.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Lets see you play a football game

by Anonymous 13 years ago

How about you go up to a basketball player and ask him to play soccer? They're different sports. Of course I wouldn't do well in football if I have never played. I have marched in a marching band for years, and I can do that well, but it is physically demanding despite what people like you seem to think.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

You're just a band fag who isn't good enough to do anything else. Homo go back to band camp with all the other losers and faggots

by Anonymous 13 years ago

@648401 (Anonymous): Funny. I like how being a part of a band makes a person homosexual. Interesting that I've NEVER seen the relationship between being a member of a marching band and a person's sexual orientation. No matter where you stand on the "is a sport/isn't a sport" argument", there is no reason to use elementary name calling like "bandfag".

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I think it's a pretty accurate description

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Sorry to jump in, but wow. You just proved to me how narcissistic a human being can be. Thank you for insulting millions of people on the internet.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's a sport in it's own sense. It's physically demanding, at least for me since I'm a 5'1" girl and I play sousaphone. At competitions we get scored out of 100. And everyone at my school says they're jealous of us.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

@648423 (MusicalXMolly): Dude... You're a beast.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Thank you :)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

You're so funny. I can't stand it.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

You being sarcastic?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Nooooo, reeealllyyy???

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Oooh, we have a comedian in the house everyone. you gonna be here all week?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Wow, stfu.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I would say the same to you, but I am a bit more classy than that.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

you're my new hero :)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Marching is in fact as phisycally demanding as any other sport, my school goes out of state, gets scored like your typical sports team, we practice everyday, and its mentally stimulating, i see a football player going around saying how much crap he has to remember within a month then perform it over and over getting better at what he enjoys. i can play any other sport but i chose marching band because its flat out funner. and playing any instrument or running around with flags is more challenging then you may think, so shut your trap until you step on that feild with hunderds of people watching you, you make a mistake you ruined it for everyone else. lets see all you "anti-marching-band" people do that

by Anonymous 13 years ago

The thing about marching band is that you have to remember exactly where to go, and there are very few clues if you forget. Like in football, you can assume who you pass to or where you run by seeing where everyone on the field is, but in marching band, you have to remember maybe by which direction the people around you are going, but if you wait that long and a judge happens to look at you right then, your band will suffer at least a little.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I love you. Just sayin'.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Oh, goodness. Who says it has to be a sport just because it's physically demanding? Marching band is in a category all of it's own, in my opinion. It is extremely physically and mentally demanding. Probably just as much if not more so than most sports. However, it's not constructed quite the same a sport, so to some people, it may not fall in that category. Just like cheerleading. Yes, it's a very difficult extra curricular, but it's not exactly formatted the way most sports are. Why do people have to reduce to name-calling and petty arguments over a fairly irrelevant topic?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Just because it requires skill doesn't mean it's a sport. The people saying marching band is a sport probably didn't make it on their school sport's team and are trying to make themselves feel better.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

so how do you explain the guys at my school who chose to join band junio year after two years on the football team?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Colorguard should be counted into this argument. At my school, cheerleading is considered a sport (and yes, REAL cheerleading IS definitely a sport, in fact it's one of the most dangerous in the world), but our cheerleaders don't actually do anything except jump around and clap to chants. But somehow colorguard is not considered a sport, even though it's so close to dance.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

(Your+name+(optional)): That's pretty much how I feel too. I'm on my school's color guard and everyone gets really excited when I tell them because we have an awesome show this year. They get even more excited when they find out I do rifle too :) But we don't do much dance... a lot of flagging, but not much dance. At least not this year... probably since our show is 300.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Oh, haha ours is really dancey, seeing as our show is about a Vietnamese prostitute (Miss Saigon)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

dang.. in college we now do different shows and only have a certain amount of time to get the show right... its cool.. rifle sabre and flag. :) yes. haha so much more than band. lol i love my band people but its not a sport.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

(Your+name+(optional)):

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Haha, this made my day. Well if it's not a sport then I'd like to see you spend that much time on an extracurricular activity if it was for "nothing"! How about you try to spin a flag/sabre/rifle while dancing, backwards, going from the 20 front side line to the 40 front hash in 22 counts! (: Yeah you couldn't. Or play an instrument trying to do that. We don't just march the band has choreography. Yeah, phhh it's not a sport. (:

by Anonymous 13 years ago

The ignorant people on here infuriate me. Alright, band isn't what would typically be called a "sport." It's more. It's physically and mentally demanding. We go to early practices in the freezing cold, we work our asses off. Roll your feet, horn angles, stay in step, right step size, get on your dot, remember your work, remember fingerings, smile, posture, perform. We go out of state for competitions, we get scored, we get trophies. And we have fun, even if we don't do good. No one gets turned away. Band is my passion, a long with a lot of other people. Don't insult it if you don't know anything about it.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm not saying Marching bad is bad or anything( I did it for two years) but I still wouldn't consider it a sport. Despite going to state, the practices were more choreography and band practice than physical effort. Carrying that drum was nothing, but in soccer, I felt like crap from all that work. Marching 20 yards doesn't take effort if you are fit at all.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

The definition of sport is "an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature." I think marching band fits all these requirements.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Hell yes

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I wouldn't consider it a sport, but I do think it's physically demanding to an extent. I play soccer and we have to run seven miles during practice, in band, you guys have to like run around a little, but most band people I know are in bad shape. It's not easy, but it's not like a contact sport or anything.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It is a contact sport when the person marching behind you runs into you.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Cheer leading is not considered a sport, or Color guard and members of the color guard work the same or More hours than band, and run around on the field while spinning. Band is definitely not a sport, Drum corps are way harder that could be considered a sport but high school.... no.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Marching band IS NOT a sport. Shut the fuck up, forreals.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

There's no way in hell marching band is a sport

by Anonymous 13 years ago