As someone who has a close connection to marching band, I have observed that a common discussion that musicians in band have is whether marching band should be classified as a sport.
From a spectator’s point of view, it could be difficult to see how a form of musical performance could have the same amount of physical exertion as football. How could walking around a field while playing musical notes be a strain?
When I think of this question, I think about any other form of performance. Ballet is a physically demanding performance in the way that you must have expert control of your carriage while performing your routines. However, most people would not immediately connect ballet to something such as a football game.
On the other hand, most people consider gymnastics a sport. Both gymnastics and ballet require excellent body control, so how is one commonly thought of as a sport, and the other as an art?
On the subject of whether marching band is a sport, NA Sousaphone Section Leader Adam Briggs offered his insight.
“I’d say it could be either. It depends on the school,” Briggs said. “A sport is defined by competitiveness and physical exertion. Obviously, marching band requires physical exertion in the way of body control, running, and breathing, especially if you have a heavier instrument. Whether or not the school’s marching band competes is the defining factor.”
Across the country, bands compete against each other to earn points. Thus, professional marching should be classified as a sport. For instance, the DCI (Drum Corps International) is comprised of the most elite marching ensembles in North America. The organization’s mission statement states, “[The DCI] creates a stage for participating organizations to engage in education, competition, entertainment, and the promotion of individual growth.”
Where does the North Allegheny Marching Band fall in the realm of competitiveness?
At NA, we do not compete against other schools in competitions. The closest thing to a competition for the NA band is music festivals throughout the year. At these music festivals, schools come together to celebrate and appreciate music and marching performances led by the youth of today. We appreciate and praise the hard work that goes into band, but we do not compete against each other, and we do not score points.
It is therefore difficult to make the case that marching band at North Allegheny can be classified as a sport.
Nevertheless, whenever I am standing on the field before a performance, the feeling of suspense before the first note is exhilarating. In the past, I have tried baseball, basketball, or soccer, and the flow that I feel from band matches the adrenaline rush from each of those sports.
Despite the fact that band at NA is more art than sport, it does not muddle the appreciation I feel from seeing the hard work and dedication that each of our members puts in day after day.
