Being in a college marching band is quite the experience. It's a huge jump from high school band to collegiate-level nerd endeavors, but it is so, so, so worth it. From twelve-hour-plus band camp days to the intensity and speed of game day, it is an endless cycle of fired up passion. And with that, here is a list of reasons why it is great to be a Marching Chippewa:

1. Band Camp

Yes, it is exhausting, and yes, we get sunburnt and sore, but it is a great experience. Yoga and Zumba keep us moving and get us focused for rehearsal. Band camp is where your section bonding begins and new friendships are formed immediately. The people you meet in the first weeks of band will have your back through the season and beyond, and the jokes made keep you laughing for days. Getting your vet or rookie is an adventure and section night is a blast. Watch out for week-long section Snapchat wars- no one is safe.

2. Daily Rehearsal

Meeting up with your friends on Jack Saunders Field for daily rehearsal is easily one of the best parts of the day. We might complain a little (okay, maybe a lot), but, rehearsal, while intense and focused, is still a great way to unwind from a full day of classes and focus on the mutual passion of 200+ members. Rehearsals usually end in carloads of band kids headed towards the caf for fam dinners. Watch the other students mumble under their breath and rush to leave as we all file into Fresh.

3. Game Days

This one is pretty self-explanatory, but I'll elaborate anyways. Game days are the most fired up, intense, exciting, and exhausting days. When call time is before 7am, it's a given that there will be section naps and massage trains throughout the track bay. Even though we had to get up earlier than most of us do for classes during the week, we get jolted awake by the excitement (or the cold) surrounding morning rehearsal in Kelly/Shorts and the memories we make standing on that field will last forever (like seeing the sun rise and set in the same day). Getting into full uniform, preparing for the "OOOH-WAH", and stepping off is just the beginning of our job. We sometimes wish game spectators could see us march out of the turf bay- it's awesome. Pregame and halftime is our time to shine because in college, the student section gets into it. (Sometimes a little too much... We're looking at you, halftime running guy.) It's a 12-hour-plus endeavor, but we're just glad we get to do what we love with our best friends and support the amazing CMU Chippewas- win or lose.

4. The Parties

What? A band party? Yes! Band kids tend to throw the best parties, actually. They're never awkward because everyone is comfortable with everyone else, incredibly welcoming to new party-goers, and there's always something to talk about. It's a safe bet that the music choices will be prime as well.

5. Dr. Batcheller

Dr. Batcheller, or, as we affectionately call him, "Batch", puts up with a lot. This amount of college-level nerds can be a lot to handle and he does a pretty great job. We don't thank him enough for all he does, aside from a high pitched "Thaaaanks, Baaaatch" at the end of rehearsal. So thanks for all your dedication, Dr. Batcheller. We really appreciate it.

6. Kurt and Brendan

This one requires very little explanation. We all know.

Kurt and Brendan are a dynamic duo of best friends and absolutely incredible leaders. They make band so much fun and make sure everyone is doing alright every day. We can go to either of them with anything and they'll have our backs. We'd most definitely fall apart without these two and their leadership skills.

7. Chippewa Marching Memes

The band now has its own page of hilariously captioned and edited photos from rehearsals, game days, and everything in between, run anonymously by a masked member (or members?) of the CMB. Will we ever know who is behind the memes? Maybe someday. But for now, they will remain "the BatChip of meme pages", and we'll just laugh and click share whenever a new picture is posted. It's pretty funny stuff. # relatable

8. The Music

Of course the music made this list, it's a list about band. We are incredibly lucky to get to play some of the coolest tunes out there right on our own turf. While we might have nightmares of some tunes (*ahem* William Tell... Swing Swing Swing...) we know we put all of our passion and drive behind it and put on several killer halftime shows. (And the Can't Stop the Feeling dance works with almost everything!)

9. The Experience

Anyone who's had a moderately successful band experience knows that it is difficult to accurately explain the bond of a band family. The Chippewa Marching Band is a fantastic organization made up of the most fired up students on campus. Whether you put in one year or four years, we can guarantee you'll find something to love about it- the atmosphere, the people, the music, the events- it's all more than worth it.

Fire Up Chips.

Together to the stars.