marching band is a sport, yes or no?

Answer 1

I've marched flute for four years in a state-wide competing marching band. I don't consider it a sport, but it is certainly as difficult, or more so, than most sports. Even though it demands as much hard work, dedication, and teamwork, I don't see it as a sport because it's better than that. Sports are games. Marching band is an art. I believe it requires so much more mental effort than other physical activities.

A marcher has to memorize all the music (paying close attention to dynamics, phrasing, articulation, tempo, accidentals, etc.), all the drill (including step sizes, occasional dance sequences, foot placement, etc.), hold the correct posture and horn carriage, watch the drum major, watch the form, count each set perfectly, adjust to fill in spaces, breathe correctly, overcome changes in weather and field conditions, stay in tune, etc, etc, etc.

There are so many more factors which a marching band member must pay careful attention to. Perfect attendance is a must - there is no 'bench' in marching band. Every person must know every step-off, every note, and every beat of the show for it to work. As I said before, marching band transcends sports. It is an art.

Answer 2

Yes. Perhaps not a "recognized" sport, but certainly a sport to those who participate. Look at any of the major marching band competitions (BOA or DCI), and those kids are out there working just as hard as any "athlete". Band kids are as much athletes as they are performers. And just for the record, colorguard is a sport, as well!

Answer 3

Merriam Webster defines "Sport" as

1 a : a source of diversion : RECREATION b : sexual play c (1) : physical activity engaged in for pleasure (2) : a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in

Well, for some people, marching band is probably a source of diversion (and hopefully not of sexual play)... It's a BIG stretch, but i guess you could call marching band a sport. Big stretch.

Answer 4

Yes it is, contrary to popular belief, a sport, it has the physical aspect to it, (try carrying around a 40 pound tuba on your shoulder while you jazz run 30 yards while playing a triple forte), the competitive aspect, (have you ever seen a DCI championship). I have done sports and i have done marching band there is no doubt that it is a sport.

Answer 5

In school, we received gym credit from participating in Marching Band (I was in colorgaurd ... flag twirling). It does require good form and stamina. Unfortunately, it's not a recognized sport in the Olympics.

Answer 6

No, it's a marching band.

Answer 7

dictionary.com says a sport is, "An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively."

I've been a big bandy before... and i gotta say, marching band is most definitely a sport... haha

Answer 8

im sorry but i believe its not...its more like a hobbie, wich could turn to something great if you know how to canalize it, a clear example,

if you see jazz performers they do music they dont do a sport, same as guitar performers etc... wich i know its no guitars on marching bands lol but hell you get the point :)


dont forget to pick your best answer :) whoever you pick gets 10 points :)

Answer 9

technically speaking NO it is not. It is considered an extracurricular activity, and some schools even give a "gym" credit for it, but for admission to colleges/universities it is NOT a sport.

Answer 10

Yes! My son's girlfriend is in the band in college, as well as when she was in H.S. These kids work hard. They have to have stamina, breath control, strength to hold their instruments,etc. It is hard enough to learn and play music well, but to perform a cardio-vascular workout on top of it....puhleeeese.