Performance Band vs. Contest Band

Earlier this week, the boys performed at our sister city’s marching band festival. Their festival is for bands that do not compete and I think it is just wonderful that they provide an avenue for people to watch and “love on” the non-competition bands. They work hard too and need a place to be seen.

However, as you have probably experienced in your hometown, high schools of sister cities almost always have a rivalry. I think it is just a way to create fun and excitement which is not all bad. Not often, but sometimes, you see these rivalries get out of hand and that is when they become bad.

Tonight is the 100^th football game in our local rivalry, so it is a big deal. I’ve got to wear the school colors to work today to support our school.

Often after the marching band festival, you will hear kids comment to the other side about how their band is better than the other. I would hope our band members are not doing that as they have been coached about being careful to say only positive comments about other bands at band competitions. But for those non-performance bands that do not go to competitions, the band directors do not have as much reason to coach their band members and, well, kids will be kids.

It often comes up in the stands too as I watch the festival. For those who have never experienced a competition, their eyes are not open to what to look for. To them, our band does not look fun and fancy and crazy as theirs does. Why is that? Because if our band tried to do some of the things their band did for fun, it would surely bring in low scores. The fun-looking things are so difficult to do with precision that very few competition bands even attempt them. It is better to stick with the safe things and get a good score. For instance, one year they put down all their bass drums on the ground and ran around them wildly beating on them. Was it fun? Sure! Did everyone enjoy it. Sure! But was there any precision to it? Nope.

So, we analyze the difference between performance bands and contest bands in high schools and decide for ourselves which we think is better.

On the one hand, a performance band is able to concentrate solely on music and the band members learn how to play really well. This could be important for career opportunities. I know our sister city’s band always has a great sound. They do not have the stress of trying to be perfect. They are able to do some really fun things to entertain the crowd and get great applause.

On the other hand, a contest band is able to learn commitment and dedication. Our band practices at least 4 out of 7 days a week from the end of August until the end of October, beginning with two weeks of band camp from 8 a.m. in the morning until 9 p.m. at night, and when they are not practicing, they are attending competitions. Now that is commitment! The band members learn team work with their section in creating G.E.’s and working at them until they are precise. They learn what it feels like to work so hard for something and then be rewarded for it when they win a competition (and boy, that excitement is like none other I’ve seen). They learn that if you are going to do something, do it right or do not do it at all. They learn what it feels like to be a part of something and a sense of belonging as each and every band member is important to the competition. They learn about how to discipline themselves. They learn…well…I could go on and on.

I guess you can see that I feel that my sons’ marching band experience is one of the best things they could have had to carry with them in life. I am so thankful for their band directors and the extra efforts that they go through for these students. It is their choice and they choose to make a difference in the lives of these students. The school could have chosen to be a performance band, but instead they chose excellence. In my eyes, that is what they are—excellent.

Well, time for my question to get you to comment. Do you remember about a sister city rivalry? Please share about your experiences. I remember even my parents had one when growing up.