Competition

Competition can be a bad thing. People can take it in a wrong way; they can take it too far. They can make it into something that causes negative feelings. However, it doesn't have to be that way.

I feel like the spirit of competition is important. Not in a "Oh, we have to beat them," or "My goodness, they're so much better than us," sort of way, but in a way that is rooted into my very concept of marching band. You don't have to work solely for the competition, but it still can play a large role.

Understand, you can celebrate victories without being arrogant. It's okay to be happy for doing well. You can be proud of what your program is capable of. There is that fine line between pride and over-confidence, but you can maintain it. It's possible to be glad that you do well and still cheer on others as well.

Competitions are your way of bonding with the other bands, of meeting new people and seeing how they do things. It's important to watch their shows and encourage them. In my view, competitions are for bonding with the band, enjoying a good time, and going new places. They are the very spirit and life of marching band, the reason I chose to do it. I fell in love with marching band at the competitions.

Marching band competitions aren't about beating the other bands. Yes, it's great to place well, but that's not all it's about. Even with your biggest competitors, you want them to do well. You're happy for them, you cheer them on. That's what it's about.

It's important to have competition. It brings life to a program, excitement. It gives you something to work for. Competition is a challenge, seeing how well you can push yourself to become. It's important to celebrate the competitions for what else they are as well: events to which bands from all over can come to showcase what they've been working on.

You can't ignore the other bands because they might "distract you from your own show". You can't ignore the opportunities for the best memories of a high schooler's life. Competition days are best as just that: a day meant for band and solely band. You can't push them aside. You have to make them a priority, otherwise the whole band experience becomes something sad.

The true spirit and understanding of what is a marching band competition is something that I feel is missing here. This year, I haven't experienced the feeling in the very pit of my being that I had come to love at Easley. The feeling of complete adoration for what I do. That feeling of fun and love. Of competition.