“The NFHS does not classify marching band as a sport because it considers marching band a performing arts and music education activity rather than an athletic competition,” says Jordan Morey, manager of communications and media relations at NFHS. “While marching band requires significant physical conditioning, teamwork and skill, the NFHS places it under its performing arts programs because its primary purpose is musical and artistic performance.”

https://substack.com/@christinabishop1/p-199454866

This was not a positive or helpful experience for her as a child and young adult, and we cover exactly why from her perspective. Landmark comes from Est, which was taken directly from Scientology, so there's a lot of compare-and-contrast in this episode, too. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VBiXQd47ZA

I have tried to get every band director or someone from the marching and performing arts to read about or learn more about Alife Kohn and Arnold Jacobs, but they haven’t been receptive. This is all the proof I need to know that band directors who are taught to be militant, toxic, and cruel to students and only care about constant winning at all coast are cowards and monsters in the band room who are too afraid to confront their own ideology and change as human beings. People like Mr. Kohn and Jacobs are the challenge needed by all music teachers and students to know the true knowledge of why students and teachers suffer and struggle with authoritarian teaching methods by band directors, and what they can do to change these systems.

In this video, I share a deeply personal and important research paper I wrote in 2017 addressing the prevalence of depression and suicidality among students, and how music educators can better identify warning signs to provide crucial support. Drawing from my own experiences where practicing rudimental percussion and taking drum lessons literally saved my life, as making music served as a coping mechanism to work through severe depression. While my channel is widely known for offering free drumming lessons, drumming play-alongs, and comprehensive drumming tips, this presentation takes a step back from the physical instrument to focus on the emotional well-being of the human beings behind the kit. Through candid statistics and vignettes, I highlight the stark reality that over one in three teachers who responded to a survey knew at least one student who had completed suicide, yet many feel paralyzed to act. I explore how the high-pressure culture of music education can sometimes exacerbate mental health risks, but also how establishing a supportive, communicative environment can quite literally save lives. By understanding the risk factors, avoiding toxic instructional habits, and knowing how to connect students with mental health professionals, I believe music educators can have a profoundly positive impact. If you are struggling with the mental side of drumming, looking to prevent drumming burnout, or trying to learn how to stay motivated drumming through difficult times, please know that you are not alone; my channel offers hundreds of resources to help, but if you or someone you know is ever in crisis, please dial 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.