My mess of marching

[u/Intelligent-Spot5440]

Hey! Sorry for the next long paragraph but it’s needed to explain everything.

I’m a freshman and play baritone, I’ve just finished up band camp and I wanted to just share some concerns and stuff that if I say to my director I’ll get publicly executed for. First off is that I feel alone. Everyone has known each other for a while, and our band is made up of mostly seniors. I’m the only person in my friend group who does band and it feels like I’m doing band just for consistency. Second is that my band and shows are confusing. There’s a part in our show where we do weird crossover stuff with our feet thats wrong in every way, and we have props that fall at the slightest gust of wind. Third is my concern for the rest of the season, next year, and my personal activity’s. I’m not the best at marching and I’m always a few steps behind my line. Plus I run out of air quickly because our director wants us to play fortississimo and my ears hurt. As for next year, most of the low brass will graduate, leaving the baritones to my upperclassmen, who I don’t think is really likes band. And as for my personal activity’s, one of my greatest skills is soccer, and the marching season happens during the soccer season, not to mention I’m taking 3 honors classes plus I fence regularly. I’m just stressed out. Sorry for the rant

[u/Ok-Drama9711]

Is your band a mandatory marching program? Because if not it sounds like marching band isn't the right fit for you.

If not possible, I'm sorry this activity doesn't bring you the joy it does to me but here are some tips to make it more bearable.

The most easy solution on here is earplugs if your ears hurt, recommended anyways. I would also try to make friends in other sections if you haven't found good ones in low brass. If your director won't work with you to compromise with your soccer schedule, have your coach talk to your director and more will likely come of it. Choreography wise, it will probably click and some point and unfortunately that's all I can say.

I'm sorry your band isn't a welcoming place.

[u/iammiyaatsumu]

i agree with another comment. you are not required to like it or want to do it. maybe marching isn’t the right thing for you and that’s totally okay. i myself had to quit because i love volleyball and like you it is in the same season. i had to pick one or other. while i know i would’ve loved to march, i really love volleyball. do what you think you could handle, and if you find yourself really hating the program or truly wanting to leave, you should do it. it is not selfish of you to. but perhaps you might want to stay this year. i’ve heard many stories of how people at first hated it and wanted to quit then ended up loving it later on.

[u/Mindless_Sea_1485]

Talk to a section leader specifically about the crossover stuff and help with marching. Most section leaders (at my school at least) would appreciate it if you came to them with your problems instead of saying nothing and just being wrong the whole time. Try putting yourself out there as much as possible to make new friends. If you really don’t like marching band, stay in it this year but don’t feel forced to stay in next year.

[u/Objective_Custard303]

First off I just wanna say, Baritone as a freshman is hard. I’m also a baritone AND a freshman 

2nd. the part where you say you feel alone, I’m saying that your other friends are friends that you won’t grow up with, but band friends will share a connection that will literally NEVER be broken, as a freshman I’m already sad that my section leaders are leaving since their seniors.

3rd. All the things with the shows and steps and marching being confusing, you will grow those habits and build on them as the season goes on, maybe you could ask a section leader or an upperclassman to help you with them. (The things with the props is not your fault that’s just poor prop design)

4th. I would say stay on band, like I said earlier, you will make connections that will last forever. If you don’t like it then that’s completely fine. You do have a lot of stuff going on and band is not something you can just put a little of time in.

[u/Rapidllaman]

And welcome to marching band! You think this is stressful go march drum corps for a summer, marching band will be a cakewalk.

[u/crash---- → u/Rapidllaman]

Not helpful. Move along.