“… as much stress as it causes us, it’s almost like all of us couldn’t see ourselves not doing band in college …,” Sierra Williams said.
Williams is a junior nursing health administration major; playing the alto saxophone for The Langston University Marching Pride Band. Serving as a senior leader for the band, Williams knows all about the effects of burnout. Rigorous training combined with balancing social life and academic can be hard on any student.
Academics
Most students who participate in the band receive an academic scholarship. To remain eligible for the scholarship, you must maintain a 2.5 GPA and be in good standing with the university. This may seem easy for most students, but this can be hard for students balancing academics and the time commitment necessary for band. This is an even greater concern for international students riding solely on their academic scholarship.
It’s been reported that faculty members have concerns about band students not having adequate time to complete their assignments. During concert season, practices are from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ; However, during marching season, practices start at 5:50 p.m. and end around 10:30 p.m. Student often find themselves falling into the cycle of staying up late to do homework, then being exhausted during class time.
For Amalia Davis, a freshman music major, she doesn’t stop practicing after band has ended for the night. To complete her assignments, Davis must practice playing and reading her music. However, Davis has run into issues with LUPD while practicing in the band hall even though it’s supposed to be open 24 hours.
Despite the challenge of balancing band and academics, Davis appreciates the support she receives from her band professors. “I’ve see them go up to bat for me in ways that I wouldn’t have expected,” Davis said. “I definitely am really thankful for that type of support from the band.”
From fall 2022 – spring 2023, 32% of freshman didn’t continue playing in the band. This could be due to the combination of academic priority, personal circumstances or just a lack of interest. Understanding these factors could offer insight into how the university can better support the band and make it more sustainable for future students.
Athletic Trainer
Despite rigorous training, band students lack support in the form of an athletic trainer. Miles long marches in excessive heat are both mentally and physically demanding. Without trained personnel, there are increased risks for potential injury.
Before everyone arrives back to campus, band students must participate in their most brutal training yet, Bandcamp. For two weeks, students practice from 5:45 a.m. in high summer temperatures, until the end of the night. “… it’s not for the weak. And I tell like all my freshman… if you can make it through band camp, you can make it through anything…,” Williams said.
If treated at the time of occurrence, injuries and illnesses such as dehydration will not worsen. However, when left untreated students can develop insomnia or in worst cases a heat-stroke. To combat this, nursing students like Williams take on the dual role of musician and athletic trainer. “… we have a medical bag in the office… I try to replenish it as best as possible,” Williams said. “I take into account the first day, ‘Okay, who as asthma?’ ’Who has this or that?’… so I know how to help in the best way possible.”
SGA vice-president Hannah Wall, a senior biology major, has been working towards finding a resolution to this issue. As a former trumpet player for The Langston University Marching Pride Band, Wall knows all about the physical stress of marching band.
“…even though it is considered a fine art. There’s also the physical aspect of it,” Wall said. “It’s just so strenuous on the body, and you do it for a long period of time.” Students in band are expected to march for miles and stand in the heat in full sleeves, all while carrying equipment that can weigh up to 50 pounds.
Before the installation of an athletic trainer, a few things would have to happen. First, SGA would have to write a piece of legislation over the issue. After being written, the legislation would need to be approved at the administrative level to become a bill.
Balancing Burnout
Finding the balance between band life and academics is essential to preventing burnout. As a freshman, Davis is still trying to find her perfect balance. “It’s hard for me to keep up with school, keep up with band and keep up with myself,” Davis said. To cope with the stress, Davis takes mental health days to recuperate and re-energize.
As a leader, Williams recommends students tell their professors they’re in the band on the first day of class. This will allow the professors to better assist them if they know the circumstances. Davis recommends students give themselves grace and identify the problem before it spirals out of control.
The band experience is seen as a major part of HBCU culture, with many arguing that they are athletes. “The biggest thing that a lot of us say is we don’t feel supported when it comes from the school specifically,” said Williams. With adequate support, members of the band believe their experience will be more enjoyable and less stressful.
Aniyah Robinson
Staff Writer
Aniyah Robinson is a junior broadcast journalism major.
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The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
