Introduction:

*****specify UA Marching Band******

Imagine an activity, hobby, project, or anything you immerse yourself in--an activity to which you
dedicate all of your efforts and free time. Think about the countless hours, the frustrations, the
exhausting work expended for this activity. Remind yourself of the enjoyment, satisfaction, and
self-gratification in completing this project or successfully carrying out this activity/hobby. Now,
imagine another person, someone who hasn’t performed this task themself, merely glancing
over your masterpiece and/or accomplishment and claiming it was easy, dumb, or weird. Now,
think of your opinions and perceptions of a marching band.
Marching band is a misunderstood and underappreciated activity and community. The
fact that I just referred to it as an activity was just a depreciation of its significance, it should
instead be referred to as a sport. This is a widely debated argument, whether or not marching
band is actually a sport, and I will readily admit that I have not always held this opinion of
marching band. Only recently have I changed my perspective on marching bands because I had
the honor of experiencing the daily schedule of a college band. Outsiders may believe band is
unathletic and lacks the challenge typically associated with mainstream sports. From my
research and observations, I gained insight to the work that is put into band by its members and
completely changed my opinion of what I originally thought defined a marching band.
****Give history******
Methods:
- Observation
- WP2, Section 5 Part 1
- Reword my experience with the marching band that weekend
- The physicality, time dedication, repetition, practice conditions,
spontaneity/required flexibility, etc.
- Interviewing
- When talking about my observations made, include the interview
questions/answers that support the observation being made. (See WP2)
- The precision required, repetition, long hours
- Secondary Research
- Popular Sources
- Marching Band... a sport? (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2018, from
https://highschool.latimes.com/libra-academy-at-linda-esperanza-
marquez/marching-band-a-sport/
- Is marching band a sport? (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2018, from
https://www.debate.org/opinions/is-marching-band-a-sport
- A debate website, most of the arguments in favor of band
qualifying as a sport
- Reasons Why Marching Band Is Anything But Easy. (2017, November
11). Retrieved November 7, 2018, from
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/reasons-why-marching-band-
anything-but-easy
 - “Friends” Episode where Ross references his time in high school
marching band and Rachel makes the remark, “Yeah...You remember not
having a girlfriend in high school, right?” (find/quote/cite the episode)
- Use this as an example of stereotypes that are believed by many
and are popularized in media. Also false advertisement of band
- Academic/Peer Reviewed Sources
- Cowen, V. S. (2006). The Contribution of Marching Band Participation to
Overall Physical Activity for a Sample of University Students. Perceptual
and Motor Skills, 103(2), 457–460.
https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.103.2.457-460
- Increases student’s physical activity as compared to when they
are not doing band-related things. Moderately active
- Erdmann, L. D., Graham, R. E., Radlo, S. J., & Knepler, P. L. (2003).
Adolescents’ Energy Cost in Marching Band. Perceptual and Motor Skills,
97(2), 639–646. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.2003.97.2.639
- Found to increase heart rate to moderate/fast paces, matching
that of running on a treadmill.
- Weren, S. (2012). An exploratory study to determine if marching band
rehearsal activities could satisfy national physical education standard
three as measured by the heart rates of collegiate marching band
members (Order No. 1509535). Available from ProQuest Dissertations &
Theses Global. (1014015899). Retrieved from
http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/do
cview/1014015899?accountid=4485
- Pg 60-62, although practices did not produce the heart rates
required to be deemed a moderately intense activity, actual
performances and parades did.
Results:
- See sections from WP2, reword and rephrase
- Objects
- Instruments
- Locations
- Practice/performance fields
- Home/living space
- People/Behaviors
- Misconceptions (ease, natural ability)
- Levels of dedication (high school vs. college)
- Personal growth/personal development
- Activities/Events
- Games
- Practices
- Performances (in the middle of campus after the game)

Discussion:
 - Significances
- Misconceptions
- Band is in fact difficult, takes coordination, stamina, athleticism, accuracy,
along with the ability to play an instrument, proven by observations and
behaviors
- Objects AND Activities/Events
- The importance of band to its members is similar to the connection a
football/basketball/baseball/etc. player holds to the sport they participate
in; “it is their life” “they love it”
- Dedication and perseverance similar to a sport, hard/tiring work
- Central values/interests/obstacles
- Value performing to the best of their ability and displaying the utmost
professionalism and perfection that could possibly be attained
- Practice, repetition
- Interest in an art/sport combination and creating with a large group of
people. Band is like their family.
- Obstacles are the same as those who participate in mainstream sports:
balancing school/work/social lives with their practice/performance
schedule. Also overcoming their imbedded stereotypes and earning
appreciation/acknowledgement from outsiders
- So?
- ********why is it so important that band be recognized as a sport???****
- So band is misunderstood and underappreciated because it fits all of the
qualifications of a sport, but unfair and inaccurate stereotypes follow
marching bands and prevent it from receiving the respect it deserves.

Sport | Definition of sport in English by Oxford Dictionaries. (n.d.). Retrieved November 26,
2018, from https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/sport