Marching band is one of the most underappreciated extracurricular activities known to student kind. Is it a sport? Only those who have spent thirteen hour days of band camp learning to march, back and slide have the right to answer. Only those who have spent countless hours of their lives in the band room, on the field and in the bleachers can truly understand; however, for those of you who missed out on the indelible experience that is marching band, I will attempt to explain just a few of the ways it has forever changed my life.

1. I will never even out my sock tan. Never.

And of course, there's always helmet hair.

2. On the flip side, all that backing built up amazing muscle tone in my calves.

3. I walk in step with groups of band friends.

You know the drill. Roll step. Eight to five. We stride down the hallways.

4. I learned how a little bit of confidence goes a long way.

Stand straight, shoulders back, chin up. Commit to the next step even if you aren’t sure of yourself because if you hesitate, you are automatically wrong. When you aren’t sure if you can hit that B flat above high C is the precise moment that you must play as if you know you can because if you hold back, you will almost certainly crack.

5. I learned how to fix anything with a little duct tape, super glue or whatever else was on hand.

A broken spit valve could be held shut with my extra hair tie. I made my broken baton last all season. Ingenuity in a pinch and sometimes high-stress situations proved essential. The show must go on.

6. I cannot stop subdividing.

My car blinker, the song on the radio and even the soundtrack to the movie I’m watching--I feel compelled to figure out what time signature each is written in and then keep count. One-e –and-a two- a-let three…

7. I can sleep anywhere.

I’ve slept on top of the podium, draped over top of speakers or leaning against props. I was out cold on the band bus in spite of raucous laughter, choruses of sections singing their parts, and the drum line practicing in the back.

8. Band mates are friends for life.

Just a few weeks since I graduated from high school, I have lost touch with most of my friends except former band kids and some of the underclassmen bandies who are taking up the torch.

9. My director is my closest mentor.

He taught me not only about music theory and conducting but also about life. He taught me how to love people I may not like and how to appreciate community.

10. I can work closely with people I may not enjoy on a personal level.

Would I choose to hang out with every single person in my section outside of practice? Definitely not. But I developed the ability to be respectful of people I disagreed with and patient with people who may have occasionally gotten on my nerves.

11. I appreciate the value of time invested.

The hundreds of hours of practice that go into a single five-to-10-minute show are, without a doubt, hours well spent. There is nothing more satisfying than the adrenaline rush of knowing you put on a great show with the lights glaring in your eyes and the roar (or even just a smattering) of applause as you leave the field.

12. I learned that the opinions of others must be taken with a grain of salt.

One week, my band’s performance may have received high marks and at the next show gotten scathing criticisms. Judges are people too, and their opinions are exactly that—opinions. Learn what you can from criticism, but don’t become too discouraged. Pick yourself up and move on. Take pride in what you know you have accomplished even if others do not recognize it.

13. Band showed me that honesty is the best way to figure out who you are.

I was free to express myself and that allowed me to discover who I am. The bond of performing together is one of immense trust and so I could also share my most personal thoughts and conflicts with band mates. They supported me unconditionally, and that has been essential to my personal growth.