How to successfully make it through a season of marching band.

1. WATER, WATER, WATER

The most important thing you can do for yourself during marching season is drink water. Especially during the hot summer days of band camp when everyone is outside for at least 8 hours a day. It is key to stay hydrated and drink at least a gallon of water every day. If you don’t drink enough water you will become dehydrated and potentially pass out; nobody wants to see that happen (especially if you pass out on your instrument)! I asked several of my band mates about what the top 3 most important things to do to get through marching band were, and drinking water was the first one every time.

2. Wear the proper clothing.

It is very important that you dress for the weather. If it is sunny and 90 degrees outside, then you should definitely wear a t-shirt and shorts. I’ve seen it before, kids who wear pants and long sleeves on a hot day and they pay for it. The same is true the other way around, especially with how the weather is here in Colorado. Always have a jacket and a spare pair of of pants, just in case the weather changes. There is nothing worse than having band practice on a cold night and not having a jacket. It is even worse if you play a brass instrument, because the mouthpiece gets freezing cold and it will only make matters worse. Being prepared for whatever Colorado throws at you is not only important to your health but to your experience in marching band as a whole.

3. Plan ahead.

Another thing that is very important to be successful in marching band is being prepared. That means many different things; but no matter what, it means to have everything that you need. If you know that it is going to be a sunny day, make sure that you have sunscreen and a hat or sunglasses. If it is a day you know that you need to have something memorized by, than make sure to prepare in the weeks or days before and practice so that you have it memorized on time. If you aren’t prepared then you bring down the entire band.

4. Be positive.

There is nothing worse than someone with a bad attitude at band camp. It is very important to have a positive attitude. Good attitudes are contagious and that is essential. Marching band can be very difficult and emotionally draining, but having a positive attitude makes it more bearable during the tough moments.

5. Take care of yourself.

There is nothing more important than your health. Along with drinking water and dressing for the weather, there are other things you should do to take care of yourself. You should get lots of sleep every night so that you have enough energy for the next day of band camp. For the brass players, take care of your lips and ice them when they are swollen and dead. If you have an ache or are sore somewhere, ice it or do whatever you need to do to make it better; marching band takes a big physical toll on everyone.

6. Make friends.

There is a bond between band members that is inexpressible. The things we go through together and the amount of dedication that we all have is something that no one else could possibly understand. There is nothing like ending a show and marching off the field to go hug your friends, because they are feeling the same things that you are. Also, having friends in band can help out in a lot of ways. For example, my best friend always forgets to bring a jacket to band, but I always have an extra one for her just in case she (or anyone else) needs one. Having friends with you there during the difficult moments and the times when you feel like you want to quit is priceless.

7. Dedication.

There will be times when you feel like quitting and like there is no reason to continue trying to get through band. However, the amount of work that you put in and the blood, sweat, and tears that you experience are all totally worth it. Band camp is tough, and it seems at times that there is no point. Yet by the time that you are marching off the field after the first competition, everything comes together and you realize why it is all worth it.