Marching Band required?

[Anonymous]

Are all students who take band as a class in high school required to participate in marching band? Does that preclude participating in fall sports, such as cross country?

If this is not the same for all schools, then I am specifically enquiring about Oakton and TJ.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yes and yes

At our HS it wasn't specifically said they couldn't do a fall sport but it was known. Institutional knowledge. School and school system doesn't like to talk about it. It was speculated that the band teacher made calls to the fall coaches, or somehow it was communicated that band needed the student's full attention. With lots of choices of players trying out, fall coaches swear clear of the band kids.

Cross country may be different if your kid isn't a star, isn't being relied on for the team win.

[Anonymous]

DD was attending summer marching band practice and immediately afterward hustling to Freshmen field hockey tryouts. Told no one.

DDand I had an agreement, if she made the field hockey team (which is what she wanted most of all), she could drop band. And, knowing band teacher would give her a hard time, a very hard time, I'd be the one to meet with the band teacher and tell them.

[Anonymous]

My kids go to a different school and I don’t think it’s that the coaches don’t want the band kids. I don’t think it would be physically possible.

My kids both played fall sports and they practiced daily in August. I always saw the marching band practicing at the same time. You wouldn’t have the time to do both. It’s also daily practice. It’s no different than how you can’t play on two fall sports teams. There are time conflicts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids go to a different school and I don’t think it’s that the coaches don’t want the band kids. I don’t think it would be physically possible.

My kids both played fall sports and they practiced daily in August. I always saw the marching band practicing at the same time. You wouldn’t have the time to do both. It’s also daily practice. It’s no different than how you can’t play on two fall sports teams. There are time conflicts.

There is a difference - band is a class that you get credit for on a transcript. I'm pretty sure at our high school (WSHS), marching band is required once you get into the level of band that gets honors credit. Before that it's optional. Correct me if I'm wrong, WS parents. That just based on things I've heard from parents with older kids.

[Anonymous]

If you are in marching band, you cannot play a fall sport.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Seems like a thumb on the scale for Catholic school so he can continue his instrument and do XC. I know he'd enjoy marching band, but he loves running more.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I think that is how it is at most schools across the country actually. If you play a band instrument, you do marching band in the fall and one of the concert bands in the winter and spring. And band takes priority as it is a class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I think that is how it is at most schools across the country actually. If you play a band instrument, you do marching band in the fall and one of the concert bands in the winter and spring. And band takes priority as it is a class.

I am familiar with high schools where marching band is an elective/choice and you can be in concert band without participating in it.

[Anonymous]

In very rare cases it can work if they're a strong runner and musician. They can play in the drumline pit and play instruments that don't march (xylophone, cowbell, etc) so they only have to learn the music (no marching). They must nail their part though since they'll be missing some rehearsals. Cross country offers some easier overlap where training runs can be made up solo if needed. It's a tough balance, but if they're really good enough at both (or play a less common instrument, as was our case) the director will quietly allow it, especially if the coach advocates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids go to a different school and I don’t think it’s that the coaches don’t want the band kids. I don’t think it would be physically possible.

My kids both played fall sports and they practiced daily in August. I always saw the marching band practicing at the same time. You wouldn’t have the time to do both. It’s also daily practice. It’s no different than how you can’t play on two fall sports teams. There are time conflicts.

It's really no different than doing the spring musical and baseball.

Ain't enough hours in the day to make it happen.

[Anonymous]

It’s just the very highest level of band for which marching band is required. Students can participate in band without marching band otherwise. I believe this is true across fcps.

As others have said, you can’t participate in marching band and a fall sport. But fine to take band and do a sport.

[Anonymous]

Marching Band should not be required, it is an after school elective not a part of a class. I am sorry that it is treated as part of a class, that is BS. I marched in HS but it was my choice and not a requirement. I gave up soccer for marching band and was fine with that. Students shouldn’t be forced into Marching Band. Either the directors find a way to make it something kids want to do because they love it or they march with a smaller band. Kids should not have to drop a higher level concert band option as a class so that they can play a sport that they love, that is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s just the very highest level of band for which marching band is required. Students can participate in band without marching band otherwise. I believe this is true across fcps.

As others have said, you can’t participate in marching band and a fall sport. But fine to take band and do a sport.

They have to give up a higher performing band because they want to be in band and play a sport. That is not an acceptable choice. Marching band is an after school activity, it should not be tied to a graded class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s just the very highest level of band for which marching band is required. Students can participate in band without marching band otherwise. I believe this is true across fcps.

As others have said, you can’t participate in marching band and a fall sport. But fine to take band and do a sport.

They have to give up a higher performing band because they want to be in band and play a sport. That is not an acceptable choice. Marching band is an after school activity, it should not be tied to a graded class.

I agree in theory, but the reality is that marching band is what the class is doing in the fall. Even during class they are working on the marching music and memorizing. So if you aren't doing the shows, you aren't really participating in the classwork for the first quarter.