Speaking as a marching band parent.... It takes an extraordinary amount of time and commitment to do marching band. At our school, band camp starts up before football starts, and the band kids do longer hours of practice. As the season goes on, they add more and more pieces to the show, improving as they go along.

It's not just a halftime show; they perform at competitions and for Virginia assessments. Bands can be invited to competitions and parades.

I do think that the arts are downplayed in this area. I see a lot of people drop music in favor of sports. And even on this site, the implication is that sports and scouts take priority to music.

And by the way, wind ensemble commitments do not end with marching band. There are winter Tiny Tots concerts, spring musicals, graduations, and so on. The school bands support the school and the community throughout the year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS highest level of band requires participation in marching band. It's been this way since I was in high school back in the 90s. You can like it or not like it, but it's not new.

FCPS also offers bands that do no require marching band -- generally concert band.

You can talk to the band instructor to see if there's a way to balance music and sport. I've heard some students were able to to do marching band and cheerleading.

That's really unfortunate, and it's actually quite discriminatory. If a kid is a gifted musician who is of the top-band caliber, but they are unable to participate in marching band for a variety of reasons, they are relegated to a lower band? That sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.

For example:

Many children with physical disabilities such as CP, spina bifida, OI, or SMA would struggle to participate in marching band. Refusing them access to the highest band simply because they cannot participate in marching band is discrimination.

Many blind or low-sighted children may find marching band a rather difficult activity. Refusing them access to the highest band simply because they cannot participate in marching band is discrimination.

Children with albinism generally cannot participate in most outdoor activities, which marching band is, if there is much sun. Therefore, marching band is probably not an activity for them. Refusing them access to the highest band simply because they cannot participate in marching band is discrimination.

There tend to be exceptions made in those cases, if needed. I know of a kid who didn’t do marching band for religious reasons. Teacher made up another project/assignment for him. He was still allowed in advanced band.

But there are also ways to work it out sometimes. My kid’s band had a color guard member who was legally blind, or nearly so. She still performed with the band. At a band competition, I saw a kid with leg braces stand and play on the side of the field while the others marched. Her dad helped her get to and from her spot. I’ve also seen (at competitions) other similar things.

As for it being unfair, one could make the same argument for other things that conflict… kid is talented at two fall sports, or a spring sport and musical theater, etc.

It's almost like they might make a movie out of such a situation. A Highschool Musical even...

The reality is that there are only two classes I have heard of that require an outside school hours activity as part of an honors class. Biology, which might have to participate in the Science Fair, and Advanced band with marching band. Participation outside of school hours for a grade should not be allowed. Kids shouldn't have to ask for extra assignments or alternative assignments or give up some other activty after school so they can take a class in school. I don't care if that is the way it has always been.

It sounds to me that they made this a requirement in order to be able to continue having a marching band or having competitive marching bands because the number of kids participating was smaller then they wanted. They turned an extra curricular activity into a grade. Athletes don't get to use their sport as fufilling a PE requirement, which would actually make sense, why do musicians get a grade bump because they participate in marching band?

I know that our Scout Troop sees a large drop off in attendence because of marching band in the fall. Kids have to prioritize band over everything else. It has 100% prevented some kids from completing their Eagle rank. They lose out on the ability to hold a leadership position during that time period, because they can't make meetings. They lose out on camping opportunities, they lose out on getting to know other Scouts. Other kids have to drop a sport that they enjoy or excel in or drop music. I don't think that is the intent but it is the consequence.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes and this is why my kid never did Advanced Band, in spite of being a gifted musician. It sucks and I wish it was different.

This doesn’t help you but it’s a good reason for parents of musically inclined younger kids to have them choose a string instrument.

I’m the PP and agree.
Later on, my son even said he wished he’d joined orchestra.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS highest level of band requires participation in marching band. It's been this way since I was in high school back in the 90s. You can like it or not like it, but it's not new.

FCPS also offers bands that do no require marching band -- generally concert band.

You can talk to the band instructor to see if there's a way to balance music and sport. I've heard some students were able to to do marching band and cheerleading.

That's really unfortunate, and it's actually quite discriminatory. If a kid is a gifted musician who is of the top-band caliber, but they are unable to participate in marching band for a variety of reasons, they are relegated to a lower band? That sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.

For example:

Many children with physical disabilities such as CP, spina bifida, OI, or SMA would struggle to participate in marching band. Refusing them access to the highest band simply because they cannot participate in marching band is discrimination.

Many blind or low-sighted children may find marching band a rather difficult activity. Refusing them access to the highest band simply because they cannot participate in marching band is discrimination.

Children with albinism generally cannot participate in most outdoor activities, which marching band is, if there is much sun. Therefore, marching band is probably not an activity for them. Refusing them access to the highest band simply because they cannot participate in marching band is discrimination.

There tend to be exceptions made in those cases, if needed. I know of a kid who didn’t do marching band for religious reasons. Teacher made up another project/assignment for him. He was still allowed in advanced band.

But there are also ways to work it out sometimes. My kid’s band had a color guard member who was legally blind, or nearly so. She still performed with the band. At a band competition, I saw a kid with leg braces stand and play on the side of the field while the others marched. Her dad helped her get to and from her spot. I’ve also seen (at competitions) other similar things.

As for it being unfair, one could make the same argument for other things that conflict… kid is talented at two fall sports, or a spring sport and musical theater, etc.

For TJ, no.
Marching band is not requirement for any level of band class.

Anonymous wrote:FCPS highest level of band requires participation in marching band. It's been this way since I was in high school back in the 90s. You can like it or not like it, but it's not new.

FCPS also offers bands that do no require marching band -- generally concert band.

You can talk to the band instructor to see if there's a way to balance music and sport. I've heard some students were able to to do marching band and cheerleading.

That's really unfortunate, and it's actually quite discriminatory. If a kid is a gifted musician who is of the top-band caliber, but they are unable to participate in marching band for a variety of reasons, they are relegated to a lower band? That sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.

For example:

Many children with physical disabilities such as CP, spina bifida, OI, or SMA would struggle to participate in marching band. Refusing them access to the highest band simply because they cannot participate in marching band is discrimination.

Many blind or low-sighted children may find marching band a rather difficult activity. Refusing them access to the highest band simply because they cannot participate in marching band is discrimination.

Children with albinism generally cannot participate in most outdoor activities, which marching band is, if there is much sun. Therefore, marching band is probably not an activity for them. Refusing them access to the highest band simply because they cannot participate in marching band is discrimination.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What about the instruments that don't play in marching band (e.g., double reeds: oboe, bassoon, English horn)?

You play another instrument. I was in Maryland in the early 200s, played the oboe but marched flute.

Is marching band just for the honors level?

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What about the instruments that don't play in marching band (e.g., double reeds: oboe, bassoon, English horn)?

she doesn't have to decide which to drop until she is ready for the top band, which won't be until junior or senior year

AND she makes the team. She doesn't have a conflict until she is actually offered a spot on the team. That's why mine was going to marching band summer practice and then running furiously down the hill to tryouts for her fall sport.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes and this is why my kid never did Advanced Band, in spite of being a gifted musician. It sucks and I wish it was different.

This doesn’t help you but it’s a good reason for parents of musically inclined younger kids to have them choose a string instrument.

That is ridiculous, I am not sure why people have not complained about this. Loudly complained.

Anonymous wrote:Yes and this is why my kid never did Advanced Band, in spite of being a gifted musician. It sucks and I wish it was different.

This doesn’t help you but it’s a good reason for parents of musically inclined younger kids to have them choose a string instrument.

Anonymous wrote:FCPS highest level of band requires participation in marching band. It's been this way since I was in high school back in the 90s. You can like it or not like it, but it's not new.

FCPS also offers bands that do no require marching band -- generally concert band.

You can talk to the band instructor to see if there's a way to balance music and sport. I've heard some students were able to to do marching band and cheerleading.

My son was really too good for the lower level of band that didn’t require marching band. It got boring for him so he ended up quitting after sophomore year. I wish he had been able to continue music and his sport.

Anonymous wrote:FCPS highest level of band requires participation in marching band. It's been this way since I was in high school back in the 90s. You can like it or not like it, but it's not new.

FCPS also offers bands that do no require marching band -- generally concert band.

You can talk to the band instructor to see if there's a way to balance music and sport. I've heard some students were able to to do marching band and cheerleading.

Just because they have done it this way for ages doesn't mean that it is right or fair. No other program provides Honors credit for an after school activity, why does band get to do that?

I did marching band in HS. It was a lot of work and a ton of fun but it was an after school activity. Kids shouldn't have to choose between a higher level band, that is a better fit for their musical abilities, and a sport. One is a class, the other is an after school activity. the Concert band should be practicing and playing music for concerts, not marching music. We had to practice the music for marching band after school. Summer band camp was meant to get the music down and the show in place. Concert band was a totally different set of music. We had kids in concert band and not in marching band.

Anonymous wrote:FCPS highest level of band requires participation in marching band. It's been this way since I was in high school back in the 90s. You can like it or not like it, but it's not new.

FCPS also offers bands that do no require marching band -- generally concert band.

You can talk to the band instructor to see if there's a way to balance music and sport. I've heard some students were able to to do marching band and cheerleading.

I was also an fcps band student in the 90’s and you had to do marching band for the highest level band class unless you also played a fall sport. Then you didn’t. I was on xc, so didn’t march in band. Might have helped that I played an over subscribed instrument already, but I don’t remember there being any drama around d not doing marching band.