Yes, I am a self-proclaimed band geek. Always have been. Always will be. Unfortunately, I am also a self-proclaimed nerd and jock. As I entered college, I had to leave one of these identities behind in order to commit wholeheartedly to my education. Obviously, nerd was not the choice. That left jock and band geek. The choice to put aside my band geek identity was the hardest decision I've had to make involving college. So to all my fellow band geeks who have hung up the metronome, the tuner, and the music stand, this one is for you; because we all know what life is like after band is no longer a part of it.
1. You find yourself connecting with anyone who has also lived and loved the band life.
After all, especially on small campuses, these people are hard to come by. When you find someone who loves band as much as you do you have an instant connection. After all, life would B flat without music in it.
2. You miss playing music every day.
As you begin your life without band, you begin to C minor differences between life as a band member and life as a washed-up band geek. The mere fact that you no longer have to carry your instrument case with you and get stared at by classmates is a whole new world for you.
3. You miss rehearsals and practicing.
Although rehearsals and practicing music took up A major part of your free time, it's easy to miss the countless recitations of "you played the wrong rhythms" and "just one more time from the beginnings" from your director. It's also easy to miss impromptu solo sessions in your basement and jam sessions with your friends.
4. You miss classical music.
I know, it sounds crazy, but it's so true. You wish you could go Bach in time to when it was socially acceptable to have classical tunes on your iPod. You never realized that you actually enjoyed classical music until you no longer have to play eight consecutive measures of 16th notes until your fingers bleed.
5. Marching band.
Need I say more? Those uniforms and countless parade blocks were the death of you during your band days. Now, you would give anything to D.C al fine (go back to the beginning and do it all over again).
6. You miss performing.
There's no better feeling than getting up on that stage to perform. You have to look, feel, and B sharp and live for the moment the bright lights finally blind your eyes. No longer being able to step on to a stage and do what you love is the hardest part about no longer being an active band geek.
To anyone who is lucky enough to still be a member of a band, I envy you. I hope you know how lucky you are that you get to play music every day. And to all my fellow washed-up band geeks, never let the music die. This is part of us that we cannot get away from, and why would we want to? So even if you no longer pick up your instrument once a day, week, month, or year, remember that we will always be part of an amazing group of people.
