<p>How much time does band require, and what does the band do? Is it a 4-year commitment? How much of a choice do you have in whether or not you are placed in band company plebe year?</p>
<p>Well, if you said you played an instrument on your transcript, you probably don't have a choice about going into Band Co. From what I hear, it requires a good amount of time in the morning for practice, and some other time for parades and Beat Retreat. It is somewhat of a 4-year commitment, you can always transfer out of Band Co into another compnay, but I hear you get put on report for that.</p>
<p>Thanks. I've got two more questions:</p>
<ul>
<li>Does band prevent you from doing other things like sports or sailing?</li>
</ul>
<p>and</p>
<ul>
<li>What does "put on report" mean?</li>
</ul>
<p>Read this thread regarding band co. interesting viewpoints throughout</p>
<p>I have the same question as Putz. I've played in the orchestra the past 6 years, but do not want to pick up a new instrument while trying to focus on grades and possibly sports to.</p>
<p>Band does not prevent you from doing sports or activities, but it does not help as it takes a lot of time. And put on report means you get stuck, and if you are able to get liberty at some time during your plebe year, you have to stay on campus and go to various musters</p>
<p>In calling admissions I can tell you if you do not want to be in band and band is anywhere on anything that went to the academy admissions, call...I did, my son was already put in band CO..now I have to work to get him out! Hope it does not pose a big problem.</p>
<p>Our son is a 3rd classman and has been in Band Co from the start. His High School band program was very good. (Advanced to all-state competitions reguarly) He was a tenors player(quads) which the academy does not have, so he is now a snare drum player. His experiences in Band Co have been very rewarding. He was able to march in the Inauguration Parade in Washington D.C., Travel to Canada for a royal competition, and many other activities not available to the rest of the Battallion. It also provided a lot of respite from the mental challenges and pressures of Indoc and Plebe year. These extra privileges sometimes cause a bit of good natured jelousy from the other companies, but often the band's excellence gets extra privileges for the entire battallion of midshipmen. Yes it does take extra time for practices and performances, and he has learned to manage his time extremely well, but he still has time to play Baseball, Sail, paintball team, hang out in NYC, and other activities (girlfriend) along with his classwork. It seems to take up less time than he put in for HS band while he also played HS Varsity Baseball. What was given up was lots of video game time and excessive television. (Dead time according to his parents), although he still seems to find some time for video games and IM.
Band co is the smallest company and therefore needs bodies. Some members march but have never played an instrument, or not since Middle School.<br>
Their Uniforms are very sharp, they are often the "face" of the Academy, and Captain Force is very good at what he does. Everyone should see Beat Retreat at least once.
The bottom line is that Academics are paramount at the Academy. All other activities; acthletics, sailing, clubs, even Band, that are important to the quality of life of the Midshipmen have full support from the administration, but are seconday diversions. No one will get any preferential academic treatment simply because of extracurricular activities.</p>
<p>"These extra privileges sometimes cause a bit of good natured jelousy from the other companies"</p>
<p>i can assure that no one is jealous of band co</p>
<p>Posted 5/7/06 08:29 PM
USMMA2009<br>
"These extra privileges sometimes cause a bit of good natured jelousy from the other companies"</p>
<p>"i can assure that no one is jealous of band co"</p>
<p>Posted 04-06-2006, 10:53 AM #23
USMMA2009
Junior Member</p>
<p>Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 88</p>
<p>"band co is lame (except for a few people). nuff' said"</p>
<p>Interesting point of view of your fellow midshipmen then.</p>
<p>Not sure which winter sorts you are referring to, as Sea Year splits will cause you to be away from all on campus activities. There are/have been athletes from all sports in Band Company. Including football, basketball, and baseball. Although there is some pulling in all directions, these athletes are generally excused from band duties for athletic competitions. This is where time management skills are important. I encourage you to call the Academy Coach of your chosen sport(s) as well as Captain Force to discuss your concerns. They will be HAPPY to talk to you, and will call you back if you leave a message. Their direct numbers are listed on the website. Your Local rep may also have much helpful information.</p>
<p>From an "outside" person, looking in, band is extremely cool. Geez, they are the face of the Academy & they do so many great things. Beat Retreat is about the most impressive thing I saw during parents week-end. The work that goes into that performance is clear. There's been alot of bad vibes floating around in here about band but c'mon guys, this might be a good adventure for some new kids coming in. Band is a prestigious part of KP and why scare off some good talent? </p>
<p>Don't sweat bullets over being placed in Band Co. There is scheduling in place that will allow for outside sports, EMT, DI training, clubs, ect. From what I've heard, yep, its a full plate if you're in band but I'd advise not to totally discount it & try to get out before you even show up for I-Day. Talk to some people as Random suggested. It can be done because it IS done and dang, its done well. No matter what you find yourself doing at this Academy, its all gonna be tough. No walk in the park, so they say. So, if you're interested in band, don't be scared off. If KP ends up with a crappy band, I'm blaming USMMA09 & Davy. LOL You guys are so baaaad. I'd squeeze you so hard if I were there.</p>
<p>"Why does this band have such a bad Rap!?"</p>
<p>For the same reason it has a bad rap in High School. As I've said in another post previously just because kids have aged 1 to 4 years more doesn't mean that the cliques go away. This does not mean that all band co midshipmen are outcasts or that they can't play sports. It is more difficult to a play a sport and be in band co than it would be to not be in band co. It can be done, but when push comes to shove Band Co usually wins for some reason (ie if band is going to an away concert, beat retreat practice, etc you will probably have to go instead of playing your sport for that time) </p>
<p>My two cents comes down to this: If you like band then go into band, if you aren't too sure about band then don't go/get out of band. You can always switch in if you want, but it is much harder to get out once you're in. As said above "they need the bodies."</p>
<p>This Academy is no picnic. By simply earning an appointment, you have proven to be among the best. It will be challenging every step of the way. If you got an appointment, it is because they believe that you can handle the stress from the academics, mental, physical, and time management challenges you will be subject to. And develop into a leader.</p>
<p>I was not ever a Band member, but rather a "jock". (I played football and baseball). Thru my sons' years of participation I have, however, learned a tremendous amount of respect for those people who chose to participate in Band, as they worked every bit as hard as any varsity athlete. My son did both (still does). This band does NOT have a "bad rep" except among those who are immature enough to express what appears as jellousy and disrespect. The Band gets accollades and garners recognition for the Academy from around the Country and North America. They do seem to have a tighter sense of comraderie. Perhaps because of their time together and their activities. You should talk to the people in charge and who are directly involved prior to forming any opinions. After you have gathered proper information, then you can decide if Band Co is a challenge that you are willing to undertake. If not, then you should be happy in any company to which you are assigned, and offer respect to all of the other companies. All of the midshipmen in all companies represent some of the finest young people in our country. We are, and should be very proud of each and every one.</p>
<p>there was one Mid who was in Band and a wrestler this winter</p>
<p>You only miss preseason training for winter sports while at sea. Its really the spring sports that have difficulty in missing seasons.</p>
<p>That is true. I asked these questions of my son. His reply was:
" Band Co is a lot of extra stuff compared to the other companies. We get up earlier for practices and colors, and have more practices. This can cause a lack of time for some activities. We have to earn our respect just like we did in high school. We really don't do a lot of extra stuff during the winter after football season and Beat Retreat. It hasn't interfered too much with my baseball season either. I would simply tell anyone that if you like music, like your instrument, and want to keep playing your instrument then you may like Band Co. If you are not that into it, then do not mention anywhere that you have any music experience because it seems easier to be in the other companies."</p>
<p>"...If you are not that into it, then do not mention anywhere that you have any music experience..."
too late for that :(:(</p>
<p>Sorry I've missed most of this discussion, I was out of town.</p>
<p>Putz, my son is a senior, has been in band all 4 years (no choice, they put him in it because of his high school band experience). He wrestled plebe year (winter sport), now plays rugby (fall & spring). Very few conflicts with band. He's actually had the most problems this year (1st class year) since with command responsibilities/licensing prep his time is at a real premium.</p>
<p>Everybody everywhere (high school, college) dis band, but it's been my observations that the band gets a lot of privileges. It was through band that my son got off-campus plebe summer while the other plebes were still stuck there, they went to the Inaugural Parade, Canada, etc. In high school it was the band that traveled all over the country, not the sports teams.</p>
<p>As has been mentioned, the band represents the Academy to the world. You can get out of it if it's really not a good fit for you, but I don't think it's really that bad.</p>
<p>If your a varsity athlete and you have a practice or game in season, you 9 times out of 10 can miss band. However, if your out of season (like spring practices for a fall sport) you may have a harder time getting out of band. It depends on who's in charge and they are a "you know what" or not.</p>