Tales of a Bandie
By Sheli Casteel, N2Arts Correspondent
Should you join the high school band?
 

and was the single best experience of my high school career. Even through all the hard work, discipline, and peer pressure, I had a complete blast. Perhaps that means that I was a complete “Bandie” in high school, but to this day I do not regret a single moment of it. 

Everyone’s experience is different. It took three years of hard work for me to even learn to play my instrument—the flute. However, once I got the basics down, band became more of a way to express my more creative side through music. 

There are so many wonderful things about joining a school band. The opportunity to learn to play an instrument and read music is very exciting. Researchers have found that teenagers that are involved in band improve academically. These teens also have more self-confidence, higher SAT scores, better social skills, and become well rounded productive citizens. Band can prepare a student for future leadership roles. Most school bands are set up in such a way that everyone gets a chance to lead and no one is left on the sidelines. 

College applications will no doubt stand out, if the applicant has participated in band. Today, it takes more than just good grades to get into a good college. Universities want students who can bring something of worth to their campus and being in a school band is one way to do just that. 

There were several highlights of my high school band experience, one of which was getting out of taking physical education. Also, every year the band would go on a trip (for competition reasons of course) to another state.  These trips have taken me all over the United States. I got to see places I might have never have had the opportunity to see, if it were not for band. Another highlight would have to be all the awards I have won in competition. There is a sense of pride and accomplishment when you receive recognition for your talent and 110 percent effort.

However, there are a few down sides to band that should be considered. The initial investment could be heavy depending on the instrument. Instruments range between a few hundred dollars to several thousands. Also, band can take up a lot of one’s free time because many bands practice a couple of times a week after school. Another downside is that the band uniform isn’t the height of fashion. Because uniforms are so expensive, they are only purchased every ten to fifteen years. Still, the biggest downside would have to be a fear of performing in front of an audience. This anxiety usually goes away over time because a high school band will perform anywhere between 2-30 times a year. 

Many schools have different band programs to participate in. One such band is called Marching Band. A high school marching band participates in pep rallies, football game pre-shows and half-time, city parades, and marching competitions. A requirement for most marching band members is attendance at summer band camp.  Band camp usually involves learning new music for the next marching season and how to march in field formations as one unit.

Another great band program is Concert Band. Concert Band is not as physically demanding as Marching Band, however, they are musically challenging. Concert Bands participate in Christmas and spring concerts. This band will take part in local, state, and national competitions for band excellence like Solo & Ensemble, Allstate, State, and Nationals. These competitions test ability to play well in front of an audience, ability to site read music (play new music with only moments to prepare), and how well a group of musicians work together to play music accurately. Concert Band provides an opportunity to learn to play music by both contemporary and classical composers. 

Lastly, lets not forget Jazz Band. Jazz Band will have fewer members than Marching Band or Concert Band. This band is dedicated to solely learning to play music from the Jazz era. This music is lively and upbeat. It is made up mostly of brass instruments like the trumpet and trombone. A few woodwinds such as the sax, tenor sax, and clarinet will be sprinkled throughout. Also, the guitar is one instrument that shows up in Jazz Band and is usually not allowed in a Marching or Concert band.

As you can see, being a “Bandie” is a very rewarding experience. A high school band becomes a family through its day to day experiences. It evolves into a family full of friendship, dedication, honor, and acceptance. You will be hard pressed to find another close nit bunch as “Bandies” who all have the power to change your entire high school journey. Why not make some fond memories of high school? Join the band. 

Sheli Casteel works for a non-profit law organization as a Legal Administrative Assistant in her home state of Alabama. The most important things in her life are her family and her church without whom she would not have the inspiration to write.