At our school marching band is only required for participation in our top 2 bands, with exceptions for varsity football players, volleyball players and any student with a documented medical condition from their doctor. We have 252 in the band program, and of those 154 perform at halftime and there are another 16 who come to the games, play their horns in the stands and help with equipment at halftime. That leaves 82 kids who do not participate at all in marching band. If we required it for everyone and lost those 82 kids we would more than likely lose our 3rd director position. What's more important? Letting the tail wag the dog, forcing everyone to do marching band and losing kids, or choosing to educate everyone who wants to be in a great organization with their friends and play their instrument? We took 4 bands to UIL last spring and our varsity group with kids who all participated in marching band earned the program's first UIL Sweepstakes in over 40 years. On the flip side the 4th band with the majority of kids NOT in marching band but full of kids who love playing their horns made a 1 on stage and a 122 in sight-reading, so I think what we are doing is working.
We are trying to get our Texas public high school to have an optional marching band as well. Is it possible for you to tell me which high school this is? You can email me directly if revealing this is prohibited by this forum or if easier. Thanks. dalton@undercovereyewear.com
