Marching band and football have a lot more in common than one would think. On one hand, marching band contains all the necessary components to be a school sport like football. Despite being a time-consuming activity that requires a great deal of skill and athleticism, marching band is often not regarded as a sport. While other after-school activities like football and basketball are regarded without question as sports, marching band is not given the same amount of respect or attention. Large competitions for the band, such as the New England Championships, are usually disregarded, while other sports are given specific shout-outs to bring attention to upcoming events. Although the marching band plays for the football team at their games, marching band is an activity that can stand on its own. The marching band may not be given a lot of respect by people outside the band, but it is nonetheless a very athletic and difficult activity to master. 

Marching band is an activity that requires a great deal of skill and commitment. Being a part of the marching band is a very fun experience, but it’s also very hard. Members are almost constantly moving during the show and have to play an instrument or twirl a flag while remembering their steps and positions. Each member of the band has a dot book, which are notepads that lay out where they have to go during each movement of the show. These dot books are partially filled out during band camp, which happens during the last weeks of summer. Band camp goes from Monday 8/21 to Friday 8/25 and starts as early as eight in the morning, ending around dinnertime at five pm. 

Over the summer, the band members are expected to have already started practicing their music as well since the sheets were posted at the end of the past school year. Seniors and returning members are especially expected to know their parts by the time of the first rehearsal. These rehearsals are during the fall every Tuesday and Thursday from six to eight, with competitions happening on the weekends. Considering this information, Marching Band should be categorized as a school sport. A sport is defined as “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment” (Dictionary, Oxford Languages). Being a part of the marching band requires a great deal of physical exertion and skill. The band also regularly competes against other bands during the fall. For all purposes, Marching Band should be considered a sport as it possesses the necessary components to be one. 

Senior Chloe Erno, Staff Writer

Senior Chloe Erno is a staff writer for the 2023-2024 Colonel Newsmagazine. She is also a part of the marching band and Inner Visions. She likes dogs and has two named Bella and Sadie. She enjoys drawing and writing in her free time.