So, in case you haven't already guessed, I've spent the past two months in marching band, which was a HECK of a lot tougher than I was expecting it to be, not to mention that it managed to suck up every single ounce of my free time and some of my homework time too. Don't get me wrong, I loved marching band with a burning passion, the only problem was that I could barely juggle all of my other responsibilities with it.
Now I know that marching band is typically considered "geeky" and "weird" (which is understandable, I mean it's MARCHING BAND), but at my school, the band isn't as weird as most might think. Sure, there are still a select group of people that have it hardwired into their brains that marching band is the absolute geekyist thing to do, and I am have grown to accept that, but for the most part, the band at my school is idolized. Marching band is one of the cool things to do.
If you have some trouble believing me, I don't blame you, but if you went to my school, you'd understand why. My high school is basically a terrible excuse for a school, and eveything really sucks. Our football team is downright awful (as are all of the other sport teams), our education is mediocre, and our town is nicknamed "Heroine Highway" with the lovely motto, "where the kids are high and the grades are low". It's not Paterson, but it's damn near close. The only redeeming factor is our music program, which is fantastic. We have one of the best music programs in the state of New Jersey.
Therefore, the parents, and most of the kids, see to it that the music program stays as high up as it is. We put on many concerts, military tattoos, perform popular plays (with a live orchestra pit), and even have a BAGPIPE section. It's crazy how much music goes on here. It's crazy how much the people generally enjoy the music we make. I was sucked into this wonderful musical world, and honestly, I like it here and I really want to stay.
Band welcomed me into high school in the best way possible. I knew loads of upperclassmen, and if I ever got lost, they'd steer me in the right direction. It was wonderful. I became friends with most of them, I got invited out to fun parties and I was interacting with loads of kids from different towns as football games and band competitions. I'm not exactly sure where I'd be without the band. They're the main reason my high school freshman year is going so well. I can't even begin to explain my gratitude towards the band. I can't even begin to explain how much they've influenced my freshmen year.
I know that many people find band geeky, and I know a lot of people think I'm weird for being in it, but band is one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I mean it with all of my heart. I know I'm notorius for complaining about the long hours and always begging for water breaks, but band is fantastic. There's not a better feeling in this world that coming in first. There's nothing more fantastic than hearing people whisper, "Oh my God oh my God OH MY GOD are those the HIGHLANDERS??? They're FANTASTIC!!" There's nothing cooler than giving an entire crowd goosebumps by making them listen to a powerful song. It's such a cool experience.
Before you go and make fun of the band, before you joke about how nerdy it is, give music a shot. It really can change your life. 
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