<p>Lol, now we are talking pop CORN.</p>
<p>edad, you may have been joking about violins, violas and basses in marching bands, but I have seen a string bass played in an ensemble that was marching in a parade. Some of the Mummers string bands in Philadelphia have used them in their New Year's Day parade. They put a wheel on the endpin and rig up a sling that holds the instrument in a relatively fixed position as the player walks along. I can't imagine that marching four or five miles in high winds, low temperatures and mixed precipitation while wearing 35 pounds of sequins and feathers and wheeling along another 35 pounds worth of instrument would be a lot of fun, but to each his own...</p>
<p>I would think there would be a bigger concern than the issue of wheeling around an ackward 35 pounds. There is the major issue of wear and tear and exposure to bad weather for expensive. I know some inexpensive wind instruments are made out of PVC. I wonder if you can make a string instrument out of plastic. I suppose at least that it would not be pretentious.</p>
<p>These were relatively inexpensive ($1000 - $1500) plywood instruments which are built to endure 20+ years in a school music program. They can be broken, but it takes some trying.</p>
<p>Oh, and I have seen a bass that was made of aluminum. Apparently a bunch were made for use in navy bands because wooden basses didn't do so well aboard ships.</p>
<p>My S enjoyed marching band--he is definitely a recreational musician (trumpeter). His school had only one practice/week (plus the one class/day of band). The practice was only an hour or two. They also had to play at the football games & even marched for a few games + a parade or two + two concerts. Pep band was totally optional & he participated a few times.</p>
<p>The highlight was a weeklong trip to Australia over spring break, where they got to play in the Sydney Opera House. He enjoyed his year of marching band but did not bring his trumpet to college--it's still gathering dust at home. He definitely did not plan to make the commitment to be in the USoCal marching band, which is very much a commitment.</p>
<p>I believe there were a few serious musicians in the HS marching band, but those that REALLY loved music were also in some ensembles that performed on stage & practiced a LOT more than the recreational marching band.</p>
<p>My high school has used synths with piano parts, string basses, bass guitars, guitars, and virtually every percussion instrument ever created.</p>
<p>And I HAVE seen a violin solo in a marching band.</p>
<p>An aluminum bass must weigh a ton. I can't imagine the sound of such an instrument, but I guess you could call it heavy metal music.</p>
<p>Doing the marching band bump...</p>
<p><a href="http://www.marchingbandplanet.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.marchingbandplanet.com/</a></p>
<p>I am sooo excited for marching band. But I also do want to be a "serious musician" The practices are every weekday for 2 hours so you can't do a fall sport, but I am no athlete..... I imagine though that you can do/be both, yes? (sorry if this has been posted already)</p>
<p>This thread has been very informative, but here is my two cents:</p>
<p>I am a senior in high school (07) and I like to think I'm a serious musician. I play percussion. I plan to major in music education.</p>
<p>I gotta say it. I love marching band!:
-I've played snare in drumline for three years and I was a drumline captain this past year.
-It's been a great experience and has only improved my playing.
-For percussionists, marching band's difficulty is considerably greater than concert band playing. (If I were to get paid by the note, I would much rather be paid by the note during marching band season. Example: For concert band, there's a suspended cymbal roll after 30 measures of rest or those quarter note bass drum hits...Or how bout that triangle? It doesn't compare to marching percussion music).</p>
<p>As for time commitments:
-my marching band rehearses 3 hours per rehearsal 3 days a week and also 50 minutes periods during mb class every day.
-My course load is no picnic. I take AP Stats, AP Physics and college courses at the University of Minnesota through PSEO. This means I drive 40 minutes 3 days a week to take classes at the U.
-I'm also editor in chief of the school newspaper and you wouldn't BELIEVE what a time suck that is.
-I ALSO work 20 hours a week at Mall of America gift stores.
-I ALSO have been diagnosed with ADHD and I am no longer taking medication for it.
-Taking all that into consideration, I have a 3.94 GPA, unweighted. And my GPA at the U of M remains a 4.0 :). </p>
<p>Time management is NOT an issue people. At least for me. I think you can make it work in almost any situation. </p>
<p>Marching band not a serious musical activity? In its highest form it is. Attend a Drum Corps International finals show, please! (And look for me there...I am auditioning for a corps over Thanksgiving break, I am hoping to make a lower tier Div I corps).</p>
<p>Welcome Gracie! Congratulations on your accomplishments. My first post on this thread (#10 - page 1) mentioned that our marching band has been very good for percussionists. I think the consensus of the board has been that those who do have time management issues, or have embouchure (mouth) problems with marching, or those with different goals, may not reap the same benefits. Since you obviously don't have the over-blowing problems with your instrument, and are enjoying marching, and are comfortable with the time commitments, then marching band is a good thing for you. Go for it.</p>
<p>The term "Serious musician" has come under attack, but the OP was asking a question in general, and the length of this thread shows that there is a variety of experiences represented. It's not a Democracy where the most votes wins, it's a discussion board. Food for thought. Nobody should feel threatened if they choose one way or the other.</p>
<p>I do think that in high school, as students begin to consider that music might be a life-long pursuit for them, there is a tendency to join everything offered. I know students who have done everything, and done well, some who chose to concentrate on the local Youth Orchestra, some who skipped YO for marching, and so on. It's important to think about the strengths of each organization and how it fits in with your own personal goals. Don't let the "good" get in the way of the "best."</p>