<p>I was NOT a music major but was in my university marching band, along with many music majors who were required to be in the band. One thing it did for the music majors was give them ideas about possible careers other than trying to be professional musicians or instrumental teachers. Five of the students I was in band with are now major university marching band directors, but had never thought about that as a career before college. Another one has had quite a lucrative career as a travel agent for high school and college band trips and also owns a maunfacturer of marching band uniforms and accessories. A few were able to put together bands and peforming groups with other marchers that have stayed together for 25+ years. </p>
<p>Some of the music majors griped about the time involved in marching band, but most of them loved it. Music can be a very isolating major if you let it, with so many hours spent alone in practice rooms or in one-on-one lessons. Marching band makes you get to know other kids from other majors and backgrounds, and it gives you a ready-made but still structured social life that still focuses on music. One of my music major friends told me he was so glad he had to be in marching band, because he met me and other non-major kids who gave him more of an appreciation of people who love music but don’t want to make it their careers. </p>
<p>And the perfomance opportunities can be amazing. Face it, most university symphonies and wind ensembles play to very small crowds. In my four years of marching band, I got to perform at a World Series game, two NCAA basketball Final Fours, a Peach Bowl in Atlanta on New Year’s Eve, in front of Prince Charles (he gave us a standing ovation!), and at a U.S. Olympics festival. We traveled to places like New Orleans and Atlanta for away games. Our university opened a new football stadium my freshman year, and I still remember the goose bumps I felt being part of the very first group to march into that huge stadium! The memories and friendships I have from marching band truly will last a lifetime.</p>