After hours of fun in the summer, there comes a time where I have to obtain back all of my lost focus. It has to all be there, ready to go on a moments notice. As soon as I hear the word "set" yelled, nothing else matters except what is going on where I am.

Marching band takes over tomorrow, and there are no words to describe the feeling inside of me right now. There is nothing quite like the excitement of being under the stadium lights, playing high and loud. But this only comes with focus first.

I figured I would write this to show people that marching band isn't just a cheesy activity. It's one of the most demanding things that a human can do. Don't believe me? Continue reading.

Marching band camp is the first step. We all arrive as individual people. Not all of us know one another or even how marching band works. The first few days, we get our music and run through it. We practice basics like how to hold our instruments and memorize music. Enter the actual marching. This is the next few days of camp, we focus on how to move across the field, and get drill. Drill is pretty much the "coordinates" that tell you where you should be and at what point in the music. Speaking of music, it is the next thing that is added. Besides knowing where to go next, how many steps it takes to get there and marching (not walking) we also have to be playing at the same time. The next few days of camp are spent on learning the music, and the last hour or so is focused on putting the music with the movement.
We continue practicing for hours and hours to get a 9 minute show put together. The first time the director says "set up for a full run" we are excited, can we finally make this hard work pay off and get our show together?

The past two years I have done marching band have been successful. However, there is something different about this year. Everyone seems to be more focused, wanting higher standards. I see nothing but potential this year. Hopefully we will fulfill this standard and be the best we can be!

By the time the whole season ends, we are no longer just a bunch of teenagers who can play instruments. We are a family. Everyone knows everyone. So you see, marching band isn't just a silly little activity. It's serious, and takes more skill than most people can imagine. It is a sport.