Marching Bands marches forward

  Music is one of the most common and arguably one of the most important forms of art. It is rooted in our history and in cultures across the globe. Music is very important and difficult to learn. It is especially difficult when the person playing has to multi-task. Marching band must move around a field with heavy equipment and be in sync with other members of the band. They have to do that while also reading music, and remembering their cues and places. This is the struggle of a marching band student.

  A band student, Clarissa Dimovitz said, “It’s prime time for us at the moment, since we’re not only working towards preparing for the King Frost Parade, but it’s also football season so we’re constantly reviewing stands, tunes, and our show. As the name suggests, marching band heavily focuses on both marching and being able to play music while marching.” 

   She discussed the difficulties of playing the drum. Her arms get tired when she is playing on the field, and the straps holding the drum to her often hurt her as she moves around. She also has difficulty moving around as the drum obscures her vision so she has to stick to a counting method and memorizing the routine. 

  With all the pain and work she has to put into this instrument it should become a burden but as she discusses it is not. It is just her life. Clarrisa has been playing since she was in fourth grade and has not stopped playing, chasing what she wants to do, and having the band members around her helps. “The band has essentially become my family away from home. The community is outstanding and everyone’s fun and accepting of one another.”

   These band members support each other like a family. This is the power of their music. This is what happens when people truly enthrall themselves in their work to put aside the pain and struggle and try and do it again and again.