It’s time for Friday Night Lights! Cheerleaders cheering, the crowd roaring, the thud of helmets and pads colliding, the ref’s shrill whistle piercing the air, the laughter and silliness in the student section, the electric atmosphere …
While in high school, Friday nights for me were about the band, with a little football thrown in. I firmly believed spectators tolerated the first half of the game to get to the halftime show.
I was thrilled when I reached ninth grade and could finally join the Band of the Braves and march on Friday nights. For years, on fall Thursday evenings, the sounds of the band finalizing their halftime performance somehow floated across the sky and reached my house about two miles away. I’d listen and long to be in on this amazing experience.
Freshman year arrived, and while the football team toiled in the summer heat, the band began their drills, reviewing marching fundamentals and orienting the newbies like me. We spent many hours learning our music, also.
I learned how to march eight-to-five, eight steps every five yards. Each band member was assigned to a rank of four students usually playing the same instrument. Then, each rank received specific marching instructions for each piece of music. Gradually, a halftime show materialized and was fine-tuned before opening night. In addition, the band practiced the peppy music played in the stands between plays and between quarters.
When I came along, bands worked up a new halftime show every other week or so, depending on the home and away game schedule. Often, we’d do our show at home and then take it to away games. Then we’d work up a new show for the next home game, different music, different formations. We may do five different shows during the season, and then choose one to take to competition.
These days, the band preps for festival competition all summer and fall while also providing the halftime entertainment.
What are some benefits of participating in marching band?
First, marching band teaches you’re an important part of something bigger than yourself. A successful performance requires every person executing his or her part with precision and accuracy. Each person counts. If you aren’t carrying your weight, then it hurts the rest of your colleagues. Sounds sort of like a church family, doesn’t it? Your dedicated involvement helps the entire body.
Second, marching band teaches coordination. You’ve heard the expression, “He can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.” In band, you have to march, play your instrument (usually memorizing the music), execute your part of the show, and combine with others to make a beautiful, rich sound.
Third, marching band takes discipline, energy, commitment, and good time management. When after-school practice finishes, homework awaits.
Fourth, marching band teaches hard work. You must master your instrument, learn your music, and present a quality show, while physically working hard. Walking, breathing, blowing, and moving simultaneously helps with physical conditioning.
Fifth, marching band strongly supports the football team. Just as the cheerleaders get the crowd into the game, so does the band with their well-timed music.
Head Coach Chad Frazier of Whitewater High School, Fayetteville, Georgia, said, “The marching band provides a ton of support. They play music generating excitement and bringing more noise to the stadium. Players love playing in front of excited fans and the band helps create that atmosphere.”
Sixth, marching band is a great place for Christian students to let their light shine as they represent the Lord in this built-in mission field.
Many former band members continue to play in college and beyond, including church. The Bible is full of musicians and references to musical instruments. Playing one’s instrument as part of leading worship is a great way to serve the Lord while keeping one’s musical skills active.
Kendra Gann, a former marching band member, plays her horn in our orchestra every Sunday alongside her father, Ron Biffle, a retired band director. She and her fellow musicians bless us.
Kendra said, “I loved marching band so much. It was a family. The love of the music, the rush of performance, the excitement of the crowd, the friendships and adventures are unmatched.”
Now, like hundreds before her from biblical times to present, she gets to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, pointing God’s people heavenward through beautiful music.
[David L. Chancey, the Writing Pastor, lives in Fayetteville, GA, and enjoys preaching, writing, and enjoying his family. Check out his books and other columns at www.davidchancey.com.]
