<p>Plebe...my son also plays guitar and I'm sure is going to miss it especially since we bought him a Les Paul for all of the hard work he's put into the application process this past year.</p>
<p>band is ...well im in the band...i cant say i like to too much PM me for more info.</p>
<p>band co is lame (except for a few people). nuff' said</p>
<p>"well im in the band"</p>
<p>oh how this explains so much</p>
<p>kp2001, I'd love to hear any positive feedback. What we're really interested in is if participation in the band takes too much time away from study. My son's major concern (although I'm sure he'll have many) is going to be keeping up with studies in between everything else that goes on. We certainly wouldn't want a commitment to the band (and one that he may not have a choice in selecting) is keeping him from managing time and keeping up his grades.</p>
<p>Remember that "less is more" expecially until Acceptance Day/Parents Weekend in September. Live with the true basics until then, including games, instruments and other items that make your life happier. You won't have time and others won't let you play and will make you regret having "stuff." Ask you folks to bring everything wonderful in September. You will be surprised on how little you can live with and here is your opportunity! ;)</p>
<p>Wish I could add something but I don't know any facts. I just know that when they get there, many things are offered for them to sign up for and it seemed like they wanted to do them all. It was scary! Crew, Alpine Club, Sail, Fence, EMT, Karate, Rugby, and the list goes on & on & ON. I think it became pretty clear, early on, that the books had to come first & some tough choices had to be made. </p>
<p>It is really obvious that the band puts in alot of practice hours. They are top shelf in their performances! Amazing to watch. Just like the kids that do a sport, they find a way to manage the time and the studies. You can count on short emails with one word answers to questions even when they aren't in band, so get ready. LOL</p>
<p>Another question regarding the band...how good do you initially have to be? Can you be a complete starter on a new instrument or do you have to be really good already? I personally play trombone, but I don't know if I can hack it in such a difficult band program. I'm not bad at the trombone it's just that I'm not exceptionally good, best in the school...but the band program isn't very strong (we don't go to band festivals or competitions...). Wondering what level I need to be at, though I'm leaning toward not joining Band in college....</p>
<p>If you breathe that you play trombone, you will be in Band Co.! No matter what proficiency - you practice the same tunes over and over and march. The Band is really excellent and they get to go lots of places in sharp uniforms. Band Director Capt. Force is a force to be reckened with!</p>
<p>My son's middle school band instructor was an ex-marine so that must be why he does NOT want to be in it in the miliary. The only problem that I'm starting to have is that they don't seem to give the kids the option of being in it or not. For the ones that don't want to be in the band, it seems to start them off with a sour taste in their mouth.</p>
<p>If band is on your high school transcripts or is mentioned anywhere in your application package, you WILL be in band. My son didn't want to be in band anymore after high school, but he was assigned to it already when he arrived at Indoc--no choice. He liked it for a while, since he got off-campus and received other privileges, but this year (senior year) it's been a hassle since he has other responsibilities. The band takes anyone who has ANY instrumental experience at all. One good thing is that you are guaranteed to march in the next Presidential Inaugural Parade! Other midshipmen do too, but there's no guarantee unless you're in band (the exception would be if you're at sea of course).</p>
<p>USMMA wants as many kids as possible in the Band. I have heard of people who do not even play an instrument and get stuck in the band because they said they played the recorder in elementary school. </p>
<p>A few quick facts about Band Company this year from a 4th classmen's perspective:</p>
<ol>
<li> You have extra work to do with the Band that NO BODY ELSE has to do.<br></li>
<li> Their regimental officers, the people that govern plebes, are generally very strict. They stereotypically have a reputation for being horrible leaders because they think that plebes uniforms, rooms, attitudes, behavior, class regulations must be followed without flaw. They don't seem to have a personality that is friendly or worthy of trust among their subordinates. They themselves tend to be the opposite of what they say their subordinates should be. Finally, they seem jaded, as if they have been serving in a war zone for a couple of years and are a bit disgruntled.<br></li>
<li> Band Co. is comprised of many students that fit the "Band Geek" mold from high school. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just sets them apart a little bit more from the rest of the mids.<br></li>
<li> You will have a very miserable time eating lunch until after Christmas. If you come here and see what the band co plebes have to put up with everyday at lunch, you will understand. There seems to be no comedy or fun for the Band co plebes.<br></li>
</ol>
<p>These remarks are my opinion. They do not reflect EVERYONE in the band/Band co., but my perception of Band Company. If you decide to be a part of Band there are many ways you can have fun just like everyone else in the regiment.</p>
<p>I heard a story that one candidate in Band Company was asked during indoc what he wanted most to accomplish at Kings Point and he responded "to get the F out of band company!!" </p>
<p>and it worked.</p>
<p>Just because kids age a year or two doesn't mean that the cliques go away. One must remember that Kings Point is a college and is full of college kids. Go to any college in America and ask a regular student what his feelings on band people are and you will probably get a similar response as if you asked the same question at KP. The thing that makes this special at KP is that they are their own company.</p>
<p>If you like being in the band, you will like being in band co. If you don't like being in the band you will hate band co. Don't let us scare you away from band co. With that being said if you don't want to be in Band Co and think you may be put there I would highly, highly recommend calling the admissions dept and voicing these opinions. I am sure there is someone there who has the power to make sure you are not put in band co. THen it is up to your son/daughter to not say 'yes' to the question "have you played an instrument" during the check-in process. </p>
<p>For the question about experience to be in the band, if you want to be in the band you will be in the band and they will train you. They play the same song every morning (can you guess which one) and then they play the same other songs over and over again for the rest of your four years.</p>
<p>Band has always been its own company. Years ago it was 7th Company and they lived in the rooms above Truxton Arcade. It was know as "Band Land" and they were known as "Band Jocks". To say their experience was any less rewarding or negative than any other company is a joke. ALL companies have their share of regimental jerks, zombos and other assorted lame types. Capt Force was in charge of the band 25 years ago. He was a Commander then and a 150 pounds lighter than now but no less devoted. I have sailed with many band cadets in recent years who were active in many other sports and activities at school plus be in the band. I don't recall any of them saying it was lame or they wanted out. It isn't a life sentence. If you want to quit the band they will let you quit. Don't let the opinions of some who aren't in band have the final say. If it matters that much to you go visit the school. Stay overnight or for the day and ask them.</p>
<p>"I have sailed with many band cadets in recent years who were active in many other sports and activities at school plus be in the band."</p>
<p>Not to belabor (spelling?) a point, but if you are in band it will be difficult; however, not unheard of to participate in a varsity sport. Other activities such as waterfront are definately possible as the time commitment is not the same. Varsity athletes from band company are few and far between. While I was a midshipman I think there were probably fewer than 10, thinking of the sports, none in football, one in soccer, none in mens basketball, none in baseball, and I'm unsure about the women's sports.</p>
<p>The difficulty is due to the time commitments needed for both. As a varsity athlete you can expect at least four hours of practice every afternoon plus one or more games each week during the season. Unfortunately many of the band activities interfere with practices and games and most are told they cannot miss the band activity. This does not sit well with coaches and hence the conflict.</p>
<p>It can be done though, so if you enjoy band as your first passion go for that, if not and you are not sure about band then don't.</p>
<p>But the band does get around and goes lots of places. So if you aren't a big jock and have some interest it is a great experience. Don't let the "downers" dissuade you - go visit. The band gives really first class performances and looks really sharp. I suspect those anti-band folks are much like those who also complain about everything else and there is a lot that everyone complains about -- it is part of the academy experience, no matter which academy you attend.
Words to live by: "What doesn't kill you will make you stronger."</p>
<p>"You would not recommend doing band if you were going to do a Varsity Sport?"</p>
<p>It can be done; however, it is not easy. Some sports would probably be a little easier to pull off than others. I would recommend calling the coach of the sport you are interested in participating in and get their opinion. If you really enjoy both of the activities then go for it.</p>
<p>I'm in band and play a sport. It's possible, harder in the fall though, but I've pretty much told them I'm going to play you put me into this company, and it's gotten them off my back for the most part.</p>
<p>"I'm in band and play a sport"</p>
<p>Davy, do you mind saying which sport by chance? That may be helpful to some of the potential candidates</p>