<p>Anyone out there in your school's marching band? My son is considering joining for the fall 2010 when he will be a freshman. He's in high school band now, plays a brass instrument. A good marcher.</p>
<p>How much time does it take? Can you be in Band and keep grades up to retain a scholarship?</p>
<p>It really depends on the school. If he’s joining a band like Ohio State or Michigan State, it will take up a lot of time. But if it’s a small band that isn’t as serious he should be fine.</p>
<p>I was in Michigan State’s band and rehearsal took up about 12 hours a week. Games took up the whole day on Saturdays. My grades were fine, but it was tough managing my time.</p>
<p>At my DIII school, marching band took up one night a week for practice and then until around 2 PM on Saturdays after home games ended. Relative to what my brother did at the Division I school next door the time spent was peanuts.</p>
<p>At my school we have a lot of kids in intense majors (like pharmacy and engineering) who are in marching band and they are doing fine.</p>
<p>I’m in band and during the marching season, it does take up some of your time. Usually game days were the most hectic because we had 3 hour practices and were the last group of people in the football stadium after the games ended. And then 2-hour practices on MWF evenings.</p>
<p>It depends on the school though. If you come from a marching-intense school, then band probably becomes your life.</p>
<p>I do know that Purdue’s Marching Band practices every M-F for two hours. On game days, they have a pre-game performance, the game, and then the post-game performance which can maybe be around 4 hours-5 hours. If it’s an away game, more time is needed due to the travel.</p>
<p>I’m hoping to join UMass’ marching band if I go to either Smith or Mount Holyoke. I’m really hoping their schedule isn’t too ridiculous, because I’d have to take the PVTA to UMass for everything. I’m currently in both marching band and wind ensemble, and really wish to continue doing music in college. =)</p>
<p>I’m in the marching band at USC. It definitely takes a lot of time during football season, but it is so worth it. And I’m also pulling a good GPA in tough classes and keeping my scholarships, so obviously it’s possible. Gamedays are pretty much band all day, don’t expect to get any work done. Sundays are about recovering mostly, so time management really gets tested.</p>
<p>I’m glad i stumbbled across this topic as I’m trying out for Georgia Southerns drum line in April. any one know how rigourous it is to be in a college drumline? how hard is it to even make the cut?</p>