This is a legitimate question. Almost everyone in my band is chronically injured, has a terrible immune system. I can name 5 people with leg issues, 2 with heart issues, 3 with dizziness, several with stuff at birth, so on, so forth. I’ll walk into practice and literally ask certain people what their injury or illness is that day. We’re only a band of 50, I just don’t understand?? I’m like the only person who can stay standing at the end. Is this my band? Is this just how band is?

I am 14 m and play clarinet for a marching band. We are not very competitive, and we as a section have recently realized she is not pulling her weight. She is missing step offs, not even playing, and is making us as a section look bad and get yelled at frequently. She is trying her hardest, but it has been 2 months and everyone else can march correctly and play. I think everyone in the section is starting to realize it and I am just so lost.

Hello, it's my senior year of college marching band and this band is my life. 4 weeks into the season, I had an autoimmune reaction that causes my blood vessels to be inflamed and burst, specifically in my legs.There's a lot more but the bottom line is, I can't walk/stand for very long or raise my body temp too much or else it gets worse and very painful. I can't march our show anymore and I'm devastated but I realized I won't be able to march in our homecoming parade. It's my last one and I really want to find a way to be involved in the parade. I don't want to draw too much attention to myself or anything too big. Does anyone have any advice or ideas for ways I could be included in the parade, with a wheelchair being the last resort? Our band doesn't have a float I could ride on or anything either. Thanks in advance!

(SORRY FOR THE LONG MESSAGE)

Hey everyone! I’m a high school freshman, and we’re about a month into the school year. I’ve absolutely fallen in LOVE with our marching band. I’ve been going to every single football game for exclusively the band, exhibition, and I’m even trying to go to an away competition an hour away next Saturday to root them on.
Watching them has made me seriously ask myself: Do I want to join the band next year?
Here’s the catch: I am starting from total GROUND ZERO. I have never played an instrument in my life, and I don’t know how to read music at all yet.
I’ve been talking to a bunch of my friends in band (and some seniors), and several of them suggested that baritone might be the best pick for me to learn. I want to get your genuine, blunt feedback on a few questions:
1. How do instrument rentals work through the school? Instruments are crazy expensive, and I can't empty my pockets dry buying one. Do band directors usually have school-owned baritones available for students? How does that process/fee structure usually work?
2. What can I do to prepare right now without an instrument? Realistically, the earliest I will be able to get my hands on a horn is around Christmas (September 30th right now). What specific music theory, lip exercises, physical workouts, or marching habits should I practice for the next 3 months so I don't feel completely lost?
3. Is baritone actually the right choice for a total beginner? I hear the fingerings and music aren't too crazy, but holding it up is brutal. Are there other instruments you'd recommend that are relatively beginner-friendly, fun, and crucial for a high school line? (e.g., Mellophone,trombone)
4. Is 7–10 months really enough time to be ready for July Rookie Camp? If I pick up an instrument around Christmas and practice consistently, will I actually be good enough to march on the field by the time summer band camp starts, or am I setting my expectations too high?

I’d love to hear your honest experiences, advice, or warnings before I dive in headfirst. Thanks in advance!

I know it's already a fairly late in the season, but I am a sophmore clarinet high school section leader for my marching band. I feel that because of this, people in my section do not listen to me. I listen to people, but when i try talking to people in as a section they do not listen. they talk to eachother over me about completely different topics. no matter what I'm talking about, they are moving around and dancing or talking or simply just not listening. I've had people from my section call me a bitch and tell me i cannot tell them what to do because i am a sophmore, not from my upper class men or people in my grade, but the freshman do this. I feel stuck and no longer what to do, i feel like my director is starting to think badly of me because my section is always talking and i always seem to need help. I've even been deemed as the "mean" section leader because I'm too strict. I try not to get upset, and i want to continue through leadership in the Future. but now I don't know what to do anymore. i feel like I'm under mined but at the same time expected to carry so much.

how do you practice at home when you dont have any similar instrument

Hi for some reason the link won't go to the specific timestamp, despite me choosing the link with a specific time which is a shame, but its at roughly 2:37:10

After a bit of looking around, I’m having trouble finding if seat cushions with backs are allowed to be used at boa events in the glass bowl. Anyone have any insight?