Marching Band Research Paper

Words: 1956
Pages: 8

Sport of the Arts The definition of a sport is an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another for entertainment, marching band fits this definition making it technically a sport. Even providing the definition, most would still disagree, right? Well, with the 12 to 14 hours of rehearsal it becomes obvious that members put a lot of time into this activity, just like a sports team. On top of this, most Corps have certain foods they provide for their members, usually it will be some sort of sandwich, fruits, and veggies, almost the same food restrictions of sports teams. Marchers are not allowed anything during rehearsals other than water since there are 150 members on a field, in 100-degree …show more content…
Starting with “An activity…” it can simply be included as a sport, “…involving physical exertion and skill…” many would question whether band involves any exertion. To march in a band, one must use a straight leg technique which consists of pointing the toe up as high as possible, not bending the knee, moving from 70 beats per minute to 300 beats per minute, and either slide marching which is turning everything but the upper half of one’s body and marching in a specific direction or crab marching which is moving forward and back normally but keeping the body forward and keeping one leg in front of the other while moving side to side. This technique is not as simple as it may sound. The marchers body also has a specific angle to aim their horn at called “the box” which requires the athlete to keep a straight back and tall chin. Most shows also consist of a fully memorized show with what is called “body movement” which is really just dance. Many would agree that dancing is not easy, marching athletes know this for sure, as they have to learn how to dance with techniques. Now imagine carrying these techniques for a seven to twelve-minute show with the music and dance moves that are carried out. Still some doubts? No problem. The last section reads “in which an individual or team competes against another for entertainment” (Oxford Dictionaries). A marching band is a team who does compete and sells tickets to entertain individuals. Does this not end the mad question of whether it is an athletic activity? No, for most this does not show