Band positives

[WoodlandsMom4ever]

I know this is mostly “preaching to the choir” here since most all parents that have found this forum already are aware of the benefits of band and our kids and their learning. But I came across this article, and I thought it was great and shows even more benefits of marching band that aren’t traditionally pointed out

hechingerreport.org/opinion-band-offers-a-haven-for-the-student-who-marches-to-the-beat-of-a-different-drummer/?fbclid=IwAR0Bm5hH8k5UtO0mtgQmpigWoh_2oi4UW2OJdOb_ag0F0RxIF3WfhYo2MgM

[hewhowaits]

Overall, an excellent piece on the benefits of marching band.

But I had to laugh at the description of marching band uniforms, and in particular, the guard to open the article.

With plumed caps and braided epaulets for miles, ... Girls in flared skirts and knee-high boots triumphantly wave flags or twirl wooden rifles.

How many current bands have "braided epaulets" on their uniforms? And as for the "flared skirts and knee-high boots" - welcome to the 1970s. Not to mention the fact that many guards now include male performers.

And the author has clearly never seen any recent BOA performances:

The frozen smiles and stiff-legged choreography of these bands harken back to a 1940s Esther Williams technicolor movie.

[WoodlandsMom4ever]

Lol! Yes true! Looks like the author is from New Jersey... so... 🤷‍♀️ I think BOA style isn’t as common out there yet?

Feb 3, 2021 9:41:56 GMT -6 hewhowaits said:

Overall, an excellent piece on the benefits of marching band.

But I had to laugh at the description of marching band uniforms, and in particular, the guard to open the article.

With plumed caps and braided epaulets for miles, ... Girls in flared skirts and knee-high boots triumphantly wave flags or twirl wooden rifles.

How many current bands have "braided epaulets" on their uniforms? And as for the "flared skirts and knee-high boots" - welcome to the 1970s. Not to mention the fact that many guards now include male performers.

And the author has clearly never seen any recent BOA performances:

The frozen smiles and stiff-legged choreography of these bands harken back to a 1940s Esther Williams technicolor movie.

[boahistorybuff]

Yes perhaps the author is thinking back to their younger years and how they remember marching band, probably not what marching band is today. 

Aside from that, overall a very interesting article. 

I will add that marching band also teaches a lot of life skills; leadership and teamwork being most prominent. I also think that competitive marching band teaches the ups and downs of life. You can work your butt off but still not be quite good enough to make finals; or your hard work finally pays off and you get that spot in finals; etc.

[statechamp1239]

Feb 3, 2021 10:26:13 GMT -6 WoodlandsMom4ever said:

Lol! Yes true! Looks like the author is from New Jersey... so... 🤷‍♀️ I think BOA style isn’t as common out there yet?

Feb 3, 2021 9:41:56 GMT -6 hewhowaits said:

Overall, an excellent piece on the benefits of marching band.

But I had to laugh at the description of marching band uniforms, and in particular, the guard to open the article.

How many current bands have "braided epaulets" on their uniforms? And as for the "flared skirts and knee-high boots" - welcome to the 1970s. Not to mention the fact that many guards now include male performers.

And the author has clearly never seen any recent BOA performances:

"Mary-Poppins" theme show it's Bergenfield High School from New Jersey 2019 show. They are NJ biggest band, but they have never competed competitively always in the festival category and their guard uniform I think hasn't change since the 60s, and I don't think the band has ever changed uniforms. (Can't imagine the smell)

[marimba11]

NJ ( and most of the northeast for that matter) is notoriously behind the trends in the competitive activity. We’ve discussed many times the possible reasons on here but many bands do festivals only.

[marimba11]

Feb 4, 2021 4:52:13 GMT -6 boahistorybuff said:

Yes perhaps the author is thinking back to their younger years and how they remember marching band, probably not what marching band is today. 

Aside from that, overall a very interesting article. 

I will add that marching band also teaches a lot of life skills; leadership and teamwork being most prominent. I also think that competitive marching band teaches the ups and downs of life. You can work your butt off but still not be quite good enough to make finals; or your hard work finally pays off and you get that spot in finals; etc.

I remember being in DCI and one of the lessons I learned was we score as a group. We don’t care if the guard was 10th and the brass was 3rd and the percussion 14th... we win, lose, as one with all our strengths and weaknesses averaged. Leadership is about service to others.

[ohbandmom]

I couldn’t help but notice that many of the cities/towns on Money Magazine’s 50 best places to live in 2021 also happen to have some of the best marching bands in the country. Here is the article: money.com/collection/best-places-to-live-2021/

Some examples I noticed:
#2 Carmel, IN
#4 Flower Mound, TX
#18 Brownsburg, IN
#20 Mason, OH
#25 Round Rock, TX
#32 Rosemount, MN

[hewhowaits]

Oct 16, 2021 13:13:26 GMT -6 ohbandmom said:

I couldn’t help but notice that many of the cities/towns on Money Magazine’s 50 best places to live in 2021 also happen to have some of the best marching bands in the country. Here is the article: money.com/collection/best-places-to-live-2021/

Some examples I noticed:
#2 Carmel, IN
#4 Flower Mound, TX
#18 Brownsburg, IN
#20 Mason, OH
#25 Round Rock, TX
#32 Rosemount, MN

Marching bands aren't an official factor in Money Magazine's rankings, but it speaks well to the (music) education opportunities in these communities (which IS a factor).

[ohbandmom]

Oct 16, 2021 13:42:15 GMT -6 hewhowaits said:

Oct 16, 2021 13:13:26 GMT -6 ohbandmom said:

I couldn’t help but notice that many of the cities/towns on Money Magazine’s 50 best places to live in 2021 also happen to have some of the best marching bands in the country. Here is the article: money.com/collection/best-places-to-live-2021/

Some examples I noticed:
#2 Carmel, IN
#4 Flower Mound, TX
#18 Brownsburg, IN
#20 Mason, OH
#25 Round Rock, TX
#32 Rosemount, MN

Marching bands aren't an official factor in Money Magazine's rankings, but it speaks well to the (music) education opportunities in these communities (which IS a factor).

Of course I know marching bands are not a factor in their rankings lol. And agreed it’s all about the music education opportunities. It was just an interesting observation is alll.