Is Marching Band a Sport?

[ClarkeFan83]

Here is an excerpt of an article written by Amy Alonzo from the Winchester Star this morning:

"...The board unanimously voted to require members of Clarke County High School’s Screamin’ Eagles Marching Band, color guard and drumline to get a physical to participate.

“The CCHS Band Program is physically demanding of students and the Policy Committee wants to ensure that students are medically cleared to participate,” according to a memo presented by the board...."

Many of you on this board know I advocate a lot for Marching Band. I've helped out with band camp, and I've seen first hand what the Clarke County HS Band does in practice and on the marching field. I also follow the indoor drumline in the winter season. I agree with this proposal as far as our band is concerned. Not knowing how other HS bands work, I'm asking the peanut gallery for their opinion.

I do worry though, if the VHSL will be getting more involved with the band.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

I think it should be considered a club, but the requiring of a physical is a good plan. I can remember stories of kids getting dehydrated at band camp and there is a certain amount of muscle memory involved. I also love marching bands. I have never found a football fan who doesn't. Also there are some really great scholarship opportunities to be hand in marching band, so anything to show it is respected, legitimate, and a priority will only get more kids to give it a look.

That said keeping it well away from VHSL hands is the best thing to do.

 

[bulldog1150]

I don't think marching band is a sport, but those kids work their tails off in the same August sun as the football team. So I do think that it is probably a good idea that they should have to pass a physical just for their own safety. It is more physically demanding than golf and those golf kids have to get a physical. The marching band is a hard working group that deserves all of the accolades they can get.

 

[ClarkeFan83]

So, are there other schools in VA that have this policy?

 

[Keith_Stone33]

I'm not sure if it is classified as a sport, but it is a physical and mentally demanding activity for sure. I think marching bands are an incredibly underrated activity. This guy is a huge fan of the band

 

[SpartanOfYore]

I don't think marching band is a sport, but those kids work their tails off in the same August sun as the football team. So I do think that it is probably a good idea that they should have to pass a physical just for their own safety. It is more physically demanding than golf and those golf kids have to get a physical. The marching band is a hard working group that deserves all of the accolades they can get.

I don't disagree with any of your points about the marching band, and I agree physicals are necessary and wise safeguards. However, your statement about marching band being more physically demanding than golf is debatable. The high school golf season begins the first week of August. Those kids are preparing all summer, usually playing 36 or more holes a day in the heat and humidity, and mostly doing it while walking and carrying their own bags. Then the dog days come, and their season gets into full swing, with matches often followed by more practice time. To use Salem's band as an example, they have what I call the "percussion train": a tractor pulling four platforms with xylophones and keyboards. The kids playing those instruments do no marching at all, come game time, though I imagine they must have to do some during practice.

So, don't sell those prep linksters short. It's not the same as with us old duffers, who generally ride carts and can go out in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat. It actually takes a little strength, considerable flexibility and especially a lot of stamina to play competitive golf well (not that I was ever able to, much), and the concentration involved is surprisingly taxing, physically. Especially in extreme heat and humidity, for four hours. As opposed to a twelve-minute marching band program, in the relative cool of the evening. Not degrading the bands, just underscoring the differences.

At any rate, it's probably a very good idea for any kid involved in any physical activity to be cleared for participation by means of a physical exam. Regardless of whether or not we keyboard pundits consider said activity a sport.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Forget the argument about whether band is a sport, activity, club, etc. The bottom line is that there is a level of physical activity required that may stress a kid's body. And if that child has an underlying physical issue that could compromise their health and safety, hopefully it will be discovered during the required medical examination.

However, there are two other important points here that have not been mentioned. But neither changes the argument that a physical for students participating in band activities is a good idea. First, a lot of the reason CC adopted this requirement was to help decrease their liability exposure. Second, most of the time the physical examine provided is so minimal, that I seriously question the value.

Now watch this! Hey Shaunty, "Cheerleading is a sport"!!! (Give him a minute, he's loading his gun!)