Useful Marching Band Materials

I haven't been marching very long, but here's a list of things that I find useful:

1) A Giant Water Bottle, I suggest a klean kanteen: 
Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Poly Loop Cap (40-Ounce)

2) A Student Instrument so that if you are out in bad weather, your good instrument doesn't get messed up.  One girl I know had her student flute all dented and scratched up from falling.  If you don't want that to happen to your precious instrument, a back up one is a must.

3) A Hat will keep the sun our of your eyes so you can actually see.

4) Sunglasses aren't necessary if you have a hat, but would still be useful.

5) Sunscreen; pretty self explanatory.

6) A Binder, here's one that hold up pretty well: 1" White Better Binder

7) Binder Clips.  I would get these to hold your music down if you are practicing with music outside.

8) Hair Ties: only if you have long hair, to keep the hair out of your way.

9) Plastic Pages to put music and field positions in.


If you have any other tools that you think would be useful to a marcher, leave a comment below.

Woodwind Camp

Yesterday was the third day of woodwind camp, and let me tell you, right now I'm ready to quit. We had to stand for four hours playing music, the same section about ten times and then moving on to another one. It was long, tedious, and boring. I talked to a couple people who were in marching band before, and they said that after you get through band camp, marching band is more fun. One senior girl said the reason why she's done marching band for all four years of high school is because of the excitement you get before you step onto the field. The drum major said that by this time her first year, she was ready to quit also. I'm a little nervous because I learned how to march before, but I could never use the correct foot with everyone else. They would be picking up their left foot, and I would be picking up my right. Oh well, I'll figure that out. Also, I'm a little nervous about memorizing the music. It's about five pages! I'll get that done- hopefully.

Band camp doesn't sound like fun. Nine hours of marching, playing and being in the heat doesn't sound very fun. I need to find a big jug, or a few water bottles for band camp.