Marching band can be a hard thing to do, but it is not a sport. When people think of common sports, the few that pop into their heads are football, baseball, soccer, etc., but marching band hardly ever comes up. It is a very difficult thing to do, but considering it uses instrument it should be categorized as an art. 

Emily Hilman, Drum Major, said, “I think marching band is not a sport. To me, a sport is when two teams are competing together on the same field, rink etc at the same time, earning points on a scoreboard.”  A drum major is the commander of the marching band who is usually conducting or leading them. Hilman said what they do is difficult, but that it should its own category of art. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of an art is “the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects.” The use of their instruments makes it an art. 

Mr. Varga is the Vice Principal over sports at Copper Hills, and he used to play many sports when he was young. He said, “Marching band, in my opinion, is not a sport: however, it is easily more strenuous and physically demanding than most sports.” 

No one can take away the physical demanding things they do, but it should be not be categorized as a demanding sport. 

VS.

Marching band fits the definition of a sport from the dictionary: “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” Marching Band is a highly physical activity You have to march at high tempos while also playing in time, with the right notes, and doing all of this under the scorching sun, the chilling rain, or freezing cold among other types of weather. 

Just like in sports, the more you practice the higher your chances for success in the world of marching band. Countless hours are required for mastery in marching band. You practice for marching band just as hard as you would practice for any other sport. 

Just like track and swimming, marching band is a team and an individual sport. The band members are competing both against the other teams and against ourselves, and you can win and lose as a team and by yourself. In marching band, you only get one shot to perform your absolute best, if you mess up you can’t take a timeout, it’s one and done, also, if you fail, the entire group suffers.  

Similar to other sports, marching band wins and loses as a team. They rely heavily on each other and need to make sure that they are prepared both apart and together. The team has to make sure that they memorize music, visuals, and count structures apart, and then sync them together.

Marching band is a sport, and shares qualities of other sports. Many people who enjoy more traditional sports at Copper Hills would also enjoy watching Copper Hills Marching Band, so go out and support your Copper Hills Mighty Marching Grizzlies in their upcoming competitions.