Is Marching Band A Sport?
March 16, 2016
When the term sport comes to mind people generally assume football, soccer, baseball, track etc. But marching band? How often does someone refer to marching band as a sport? Not very often apparently.
When defined, a sport is described as “an activity involving physical exertion and skills which an individual or team competes against one another or others for entertainment.”
This definition seems pretty specific but does it apply to band? Let’s break it down.
Band does indeed involve physical exertion considering the 20 to 40 pound instruments they carry. They also have a wide variety of skills that range from memorizing notes to precise movements and coordination. Like many other sports marching band has a league, a college league and a national major league association. Band participants are required to spend many hours practicing, attending competitions and are expected to perform music at an “expert level.”
Marching band seems to fit the definition of a sport, yet people still chose to debate over the topic. Many believe it is not a sport due to the lack of conditioning and movement it has that other sports require.
Does marching band necessarily need to be on the same level of physical intensity as other sports? For most schools marching band counts for P.E. credits which goes to show that the level of physical intensity is irrelevant.
After asking 10 individuals here at Pitman whether or not they consider band a sport, with having only two of them in band, the responses seemed to be split right down the middle.
“Well I consider band as a sport because we put a lot of practice into memorizing our music. We also have to be able to march while playing our instruments in our wool uniforms in the direct sunlight. We will also do some physical training. When it is marching season we will spend every Monday night at practice from five to eight.”
-Zachary Munoz (10th)
“Uh not really. I mean it takes a lot of walking and stuff but I have always thought of a sport as some sort of game which includes scores and you know different teams or people playing against each other.” – Miguel Reyes (11th)
“How can I not think band is a sport? Band is a sport and it takes a lot of physical and mental work.” Madi King (9th)
“Yeah I think marching band is a sport. It works up a sweat not to mention the practices for it. Choreography for some music and the fact that some who play sports are in it as well.”
-Kyle Reid (12th)
“Well no I don’t really think marching band is a sport. I’m not saying they don’t work hard but they don’t do what other sports do. Their purpose is to play their instrument which is a great talent just like being good at a sport.” – Mariah Alderman (11th)
Marching band is recognized for their halftime performances at football games which not only entertains the crowd but brings motivation to the team and supporters.
The standard perception of band seems to be underestimated. They are seen as an extracurricular activity or hobby rather than a physically demanding sport.
There appears to be a lot of tension these days involving band and fellow sports. For instance, band seems to lack the financial support from their schools and district, while sports hardly ever have an issue involving money or support. This is just one of the many issues that marching band participants have to face.
When asked why marching band is not considered a sport by many people the best and most reasonable response was “Because they see instruments but do not know anything else besides that” – Kyle Reid (12th)
This may be the solution to the question. Those who only know the basics of marching band don’t know the physical hardships of it. Many individuals (not all) who have experience in marching band believe it fits in the sports category. In other words you don’t know unless you try yourself.
Marching band may never officially be labeled as a sport, but there is no doubt that they are hard-working individuals who deserve recognition for the energy and physical work they put into their performances and practices.
http://www.hardin.k12.ky.us/jhhs/newspaper_files/index_files/Page951.htm
http://www.teenink.com/nonfiction/sports/article/52679/Marching-Band-Should-Be-Considered-a-Sport/
http://www.cmhsnews.com/sports/marching-band-is-a-sport-by-loralee-sepsey
http://www.therideronline.com/our-opinion/2011/11/10/marching-band-sport-or-not/
http://www.saratogafalcon.org/content/true-or-false-marching-band-sport
http://www.omahacentralregister.com/1198/opinions/is-marching-band-a-sport/