Joining a collegiate marching band is a mental, physical, emotional rollercoaster. Looking back at my first year, I am incredibly grateful for the overall experience. Was it challenging? Absolutely. But I chose to approach it with maturity rather than complaints. And I am so glad I did, because the rewards of enduring the marching band experience lasts a lifetime.
To help you navigate the extensive experience ahead, here is the breakdown of the good, the bad, the ugly, and the unwritten rules of surviving your first year in the band.
Band Camp gets real, physical preparation helps.
Before you get on campus, understand that band camp at Langston is military basic training- musical style. It is a grueling week of intense body conditioning, learning drill fundamentals, and long hours of music practice. Your days will start at 5:00 AM and will not end until the directors dismiss you late at night.
If you do not prepare your body ahead of time, you are likely to struggle, but I got you! Here is how to survive.
- Hydrate constantly: Oklahoma summers are drier and hotter than the Sahara. Start drinking water weeks before you arrive. Every year, students drop like flies or get injured because they arrive dehydrated and out of shape.
- Clean up your diet: Cut out the sweets and heavy dairy during the summer. Lean into healthier, lighter foods that fuel clean energy. You will not be able to eat them during the week of band camp regardless.
- Condition your body: Start jogging, running, and doing cardio exercises well in advance.
- Go to bed: One of our band directors would always say, “Sleep is a luxury.” He was not lying. When you get back to your room late at night and must be back on the field before 5:00 AM, every minute of rest counts. Avoid the temptation to stay up all night kick backing with your new friends. Socialize responsibly; there is a mission ahead, and you have halftime battles to win.
Master time management
Being a band student means mastering your schedule, or your grades will suffer. And if that happens, you will lose that band scholarship. Your academic survival lies in the balance on these three things: class attendance, communication, and completion of assignments.
Go to every single class. Being present gives you the chance to build meaningful relationships with your professors. Introduce yourself personally on day one, let them know you are in the band, and actively take part in class discussions. When professors see that you are a serious student, they are much more lenient when you must miss class for long distance performances. Do not forget to email them well in advance of a trip.
When it comes to assignments, do not wait and procrastinate. The moment a task drops in Canvas, finish it. Getting your schoolwork out of the way early frees up your weekends for performances and parties, saving you from the dreaded 11:59 PM Sunday night panic.
Road trip tips & Rehearsal reminders
When it is time to travel for away games and performances, packing is a science. Always pack essential hygiene items, comfortable sleepwear, and plenty of snacks. Most importantly, take advantage of the bus rest stops. Trust me, you do not want to be the person who makes a “waste deposit” in the bus bathroom, forcing the entire bus to sit in the after-scent for an eight-hour drive.
When you are not traveling, you should be in the practice rooms. Utilize them to memorize your music and show up to every sectional. Sectionals are where you truly build bonds with your section leaders and peers.
During full band rehearsals, lock in. Keep your eyes peeled on the Director and be silent. For reading music, you will get familiar with the Beam app, a digital sheet music library. If you have an iPad, bring it! Reading notes on a tablet is ten times easier than squinting at a tiny smartphone screen.
Overall, being a part of the Langston University Marching Pride is a massive commitment, but it will mold you into a more disciplined, resilient version of yourself. When you are sweating on the field at midnight or cramming for an exam on a charter bus, remember why you are here. The blood, sweat, and missing sleep are just the price to something great. If you respect the process, lean into the discipline, and look out for your bandmates, you will create memories and friendships that will stay with you forever. So be musical, stay striving, and let us make it a great band season for the books.
Uri Butler
Uri Butler is a 2024 graduate of Langston University with a degree in broadcast journalism. He formerly served as Features Editor of The Gazette.
