For everyone who has played football or any other sport and thinks they work hard, they should spend a week in band camp! Our high school is one of the few in our area that takes marching band to the serious level of competitions. During band camp our students are rehearsing from 9am to 9pm. How many football teams or other sports teams practice that long? In the heat of summer? On blacktop? I have a daughter that has just finished high school and a daughter who is about to begin high school, so it is certainly a time of great reflection as a parent as we experience this transition. One of the greatest gifts we have given our daughters in life is the gift of music. We are so blessed to be in an area that supports music in the schools. However, we still fight the stereotypical garbage that sports are the almighty activity. How I wish every one of these athletes could go through a season of marching band and see what it REALLY feels like to memorize the music, memorize the marching drill, and then repeat over and over and over again until every horn pops at the right angle, every step is clean, and every flag is in perfect alignment. I believe they would begin to understand what true commitment, hard work and time management are really all about.
The film really hits on many of the things that both students and parents already believe...that marching band is the hardest, most grueling job you will ever have in high school, and that it gives some of the best life lessons you will ever learn. I applaud the directors in every high school marching program for the many thankless hours of extra work beyond the school day, and for the many small and large triumphs that your programs experience in your JOURNEY. This film should be shown to all students, athletes and parents who complain that they have to walk a little further so that the marching band can practice in the parking lot! Kudos for a great film!