<p>I'm currently debating whether or not I'm going to join marching band when I go to college next year, almost certainly at Ohio State. I figured I'd post this in here mostly just to write my thoughts down, but any opinions would be awesome.</p>
<p>So on one hand, band is fun. I'd still be marching in other groups, but it'd be awesome to do it in college too mainly for the social aspect. I'm not exactly what you would call an extrovert, so having that group of friends from the beginning would be great. As well as free football games, parties, etc. </p>
<p>On the other hand, it's a lot of time. Rehearsals 5 days a week, extra drumline rehearsals once a week, and football games every Saturday. I don't know how I would fit my schedule around that, in addition to practicing and schoolwork. I also want to teach high school band, which I couldn't do if I joined marching band, and I really want to work and earn money, which I wouldn't have time for.</p>
<p>Now money isn't precisely a problem - my parents are nice enough to cover most of my expenses, but I'm sick of depending on them for all my money. I really want to start working and earning my own stuff, but I can't march and do that at the same time.</p>
<p>So... I'm conflicted. On one hand there's the social aspect and the good times, but that's weighed against jobs, teaching, and practicing for other groups that are (IMO) a bit higher priority for me than college band. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Try it for a year and if you don’t like it, don’t go out sophomore year. The time commitment really isn’t all that much unless Ohio is different then every marching band we’ve looked into. Practices are generally for an hour or two, even if it is 5 days/week, you have a lot more free time in college. The other bonus with marching band is you get to move onto campus earlier, you will have a large group of people you will know before classes start and a good support group through freshman year at least.</p>
<p>The other question, can you make the marching band? Sounds like you are percussion–are you automatically in or do you have to audition?</p>
<p>Ohio State marching band will be a huge commitment. It sounds like you are thinking about a music education major. I once was on a committee selecting a new band director. College marching band experience was high on our list. We didn’t interview anyone who did not have marching band experience as that is a major duty in high school. </p>
<p>Besides many (most) years you will get to travel to a bowl game. Sounds like a great perk. I’ve met a few people who’ve done marching band in the Big 10. It is a huge commitment but they love it and wouldn’t trade it for the world.</p>
<p>I know several kids who are in marching band at large Div I schools who seem to enjoy it immensely… seems like a life experience that is worth more than a part-time job flipping burgers, especially if you do not HAVE to work right now. Enjoy your college experience, you have the REST of your life to work…</p>
<p>My S is in his school’s marching band. He was also an introvert in high school and now in college, he’s more outgoing and has a good circle of friends who happen to be in band. He is a junior now and also has two parttime on campus jobs as well as a full schedule so he is busier than he’s ever been. Still, he’s found the time to stay in band so I’m sure he’d say it is an experience you may not want to pass up!</p>
<p>I think you should do it for at least a year. </p>
<p>While it’s nice to want to be financially independent from your parents, it’s not likely you’d be able to do that anyway. Since they are willing to pay, let them.</p>
<p>(this question has always nagged me…are those band uniforms hot? I see these kids sitting in the stands and on the field in Sept when it’s still hot and wonder if they’re going to faint in the heat.)</p>
<p>Do you get credit for it? If you are a music education major, will those credits count toward your major in any way? I’d find that out before deciding.</p>
<p>OSU has a top-notch marching band. I suspect that the time commitment is significant.</p>
<p>Only if you get to be the tuba that dots the i in Ohio!! :D</p>
<p>Just kidding! One of my kids was in a D1 (Big 10) marching band and the practices are time consuming, but the camaraderie is awesome. There will inevitably be at least one formal road trip to a game for the band, and probably some informal ones, so the weekends in the fall are packed even the non-home game ones. </p>
<p>Also, home game Saturdays are LONG days. Usually the call time in the morning is 6:30 am. There are the obligatory performances for the alumni groups before the game and probably some tailgating performances as well. The band will all sit together ( actually stand, especially drumline) for the whole game, 4+ hours. Then there are post game performances as well.</p>
<p>As far as bowl games, they are a blast, but with Ohio State (whenever they get off probation) you will most certainly be playing in a Jan 1st bowl. This will probably mean flying on the 27th from Columbus and returning Jan 2nd to Columbus. That is a fun event, but it eats up a chunk of your Winter break right in the the middle. We couldn’t do family vacations or anything while S was in the band because the bowl bids aren’t announced until December 5th. Also, needless to say there is NO downtime during bowl game trips.</p>
<p>Finally, the people above who suggested trying it for the first year are spot on. In S’s case he had a blast freshman and sophomore years, but the band skews young as people go off of it junior and senior years. He kind of outgrew it. It’s a great way to meet a ton of people and have an instant group to hang with, especially on a campus as big as Ohio State’s.</p>
<p>Also, there will be at least one week if not more of a band camp that starts before school in August. Everyday all day practices (in the August sun) to get ready for the fall. So count on your summer break ending earlier than everyone else. Not trying to dissuade you, just want to make sure you have an accurate picture.</p>
<p>Well I’d almost rather join it sophomore year… I don’t know though. How easy is it to meet people? I’m not the most social person, and my parents are a bit worried about that and 48,000 undergraduates.</p>
<p>Why don’t you ask the music dept to get you in touch with some band members before deciding. Or possibly link up with some kids via facebook? Music students love talking about their respective programs.</p>
<p>FYI (just go on facebook and do a search on “the ohio state university marching band” )</p>
<p>Buranri–are you in your high school marching band? If so, how good is your band? If your marching band is fairly competitive at regional/national events you will find that the Ohio band will require a similar time commitment. Keep in mind, however, you won’t be in class for 8 hours/ day like you are in high school. In a school of 48,000 people, it will be difficult to meet people and get to know them well without being in an activity. You will probably meet the people living in your floor in your dorm but outside of that, probably no one else unless you get involved with something.</p>
<p>If you are planning on being a high school music teacher, I would say that marching band in college, especially at Ohio, is a must if you want a job when you graduate.</p>
<p>Buranri - You sound a lot like my son. Loved HS band and finally decided to continue for at least freshman year at college. The information that is being shared here is accurate. You will have to report before other students for band camp, plan on at least 2 hours every day for practice and plan all all Saturday being taken up for home games and possible 2 or maybe even 3 days for away games. Also you can plan on at least 4 days for a January bowl.</p>
<p>With all of that said that committment does not outweigh the benefits of Marching Band at a big D1 school. The opportunity to have a jarge group of built-in friends as a Freshman is a great assett. DS had 60 or so “instant friends” in the trumpet section, just like you he is not overly outgoing so having a group from day one was a HUGE assett. Game days as a band member on a large campus is something that just can’t be imagined, it has to be lived. DS was truly surprised that many non-band students truly seemed to be impressed that he was in band, such a big change from HS.</p>
<p>As for the time committment and being able to handle it, that does depend on the student. DS had an 18 hour load, including band, in the fall as a freshman as a ChemE major and handled it just fine. You will however need to learn how to manage your time and stay ahead of assignments if you dont currently do that.</p>
<p>As a member of the Alabama MDB his band and game experiences should match yours at OS very closely. I can tell you for a fact that he would not trade his band experiences from this year for any amount of money.</p>
<p>I was in the Trojan Marching Band in college and it was an incredible experience. We got to travel, go to every home game and march in the Rose Parade. The camaraderie was great and as an introvert it’s an easy way to meet people before classes. </p>
<p>I will also reiterate being shocked that people thought it was cool I was in the band. Walking across campus on game day in uniform prior to call time, I felt like a celebrity as tailgaters asked for pictures. Heck we had people asking for pictures when we traveled to away games.</p>
<p>As for being a Music Ed major, that makes it even more important. We had a ton of them in the band and I know having leadership experience in the TMB helped immensely. As Juniors most were squad leaders and by senior year being a section leader can be a great learning experience. ALso, and I’m not sure if this is the case for the tOSU band, we actually had some of the Music Ed majors help with charting. In fact we had one show completely charted by a couple of senior music majors. Again, real life experience which has paid off for them.</p>
<p>I’m actually not planning on being a music ed major, so that’s not a factor. Or at least, I’m going to try and find another major with better financial prospects first. </p>
<p>I don’t really have a summer anyways - I tour with a group from June to August, 12 hour rehearsals every day, etc, so I’m really not worried about the practices or camp. The unanimous vote seems to be that I should do it, though…</p>
<p>Oh and also to clarify - the money would be for extracurriculars, not school. I feel bad asking them to pay for my other hobbies in addition to school, especially since I have expensive hobbies.</p>
<p>Are you going to be a freshman in college? If so, how would you “teach high school band” this year? What school would hire you to do this as an 18 or 19 year old without a college degree or certification as a teacher?</p>
<p>The OSU marching band is fabulous. It is a huge commitment, and always has been. I have known MANY members over the years. They loved marching band, loved the camaraderie that happen within the band, and really wanted to be part of this. </p>
<p>If you plan to be a high school band director in the Midwest, this would be fabulous experience as many high schools have marching bands. </p>
<p>I would agree…do this as a freshman, and if you don’t like it, don’t continue.</p>
<p>Quick question to the OP. Are you a serious and excellent musician? If so, you might not find the marching band to be your cup of tea. Most of the members are not music majors. In addition, I know my brass playing professional musician son never played in a marching band…and never wished to.</p>
:D</p>