Wow. Did the columnist read the same article? It just suggests that the level of effort and number of students involved now makes it a candidate for study. If you want to know what he means by competition and athleticism, Drum Line is a good movie or sometimes they show drum corps competitions on ESPNxx.
In defense of just plain HS band.
When I was in HS, I was in a competitive marching band - not just halftime shows for the game, we competed in halftime competitions. We practiced on the field every day for 1.25 hrs and you ran almost half that time. Plus 3 hours practice on Thursday night, games on Friday nights and competitions or parades every other Saturday.
It wasn't at the level of a sport, but it isn't sitting in chairs either. And that was 30 years ago when it was less competitive. We got PE credit for the marching season, but then had to take a before school music practice in order to also get band credit.
If you want to get a feel for what it takes aerobically, try walking at a brisk pace and singing loud at the same time. Do it for three minutes and then turn around and run back to where you started. Rest about 30-45 seconds while you get yelled at and repeat. For an hour or two.
I think it would be interesting, as the actual article suggests, to have someone study what is involved in competitive marching corps.
/geek-out moment
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Training Log
Quote:
Water babies singing in a lily-pool delight
Blue powder monkeys praying in the dead of night
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