Marching Band Quotes

“Band has really been the one thing that allows me to experience somewhat of a distraction. They say music heals, right? I'm able to exist in all my weirdness right in the middle of a big crowd of people, but all I really have to focus on is playing my own part, marching with the correct foot, and being where I’m supposed to be on the field. - Rigby Raines”
― R.K. Slade, Because

“Perjuangan terberat dalam hidup manusia adalah perjuangan mengalahkan diri sendiri. Buku ini adalah bagi semua yang memenangkannya.”
― Oka Aurora, 12 Menit

“The whirligig featured a drummer, a trumpet player, a clarinetist, and a man with a trombone. It was a leap beyond the spouting whale, with more figures, a six-bladed propeller, and a much more complex system of rods and pivots that made the instruments dip and rise as if the musicians were marching.”
― Paul Fleischman, Whirligig

“Myron? My brain screeches to a halt. I’ve transferred to a school where they name kids Myron?!”
― Courtney Brandt, Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek

“Myron, all six feet of super cuteness, comes forward. He smiles and I almost die, because he has one adorable dimple. Instead of getting embarrassed about his first name, he offers his hand and says, “Call me McDaniel.”
― Courtney Brandt, Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek

“Denny and McDaniel go into the percussion room and grab a bizarre metal contraption. Denny lifts it over his head and I give him a strange look, to which he responds like I’m a five year old, “Carr-i-er.”
― Courtney Brandt, Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek

“Denny gave me a strange look when I showed up in the band room, but I have always believed playing drums is no excuse not to look cute. Besides, if McDaniel shows up, I want to look my best. Oh, crap, I should be paying attention.
“Did you hear anything I said?”
I answer honestly, “No.”
Denny runs a hand through his spiked hair and asks, “Do you really want to learn how to march?”
“I have to learn to march if I want to be a part of the section, right?”
“Right.”
“Then, it doesn’t really matter if I want to do anything. It’s something I have to do.”
Denny looks confused and partially like he’s completely regretting the decision to add me to his section, but proceeds to teach me drill for the better part of two hours. While we run through the steps, I look longingly over at my quints, which I have secretly decided to name Quincy.”
― Courtney Brandt, Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek

“I’m basically a nobody in the trumpet section. I like it that way. I hate being in front of people. I think I’m too nervous, or anxious, or something. The only time I ever played a solo was that time during concert band that I accidentally played during a rest. The whole band was silent and I honked out a right note at the wrong time. I was so embarrassed that I wanted to hide in my band locker. - Rigby Raines”
― R.K. Slade, Because

“as they marched out on their way to band practice to get fitted for new hats to hide foam rollers in, as the athletic director was very against the band members having smooth fascia and demanded they have sore muscles while the football team played.”
― J.S. Mason, The Satyrist...And Other Scintillating Treats

“She’s sitting right next to you, man!”
Randy’s voice had risen a full octave, but luckily the marching band drowned it out with a rousing rendition of Wang Chung’s only hit.”
― Matthew Speak, Devils Glen

“Steve holds his breath as I suck all the air from the room into my lungs. I pause, then blow as hard as I can while squeezing my lips tightly together. The sound that comes out is not that of a sousaphone. In fact, it doesn't even come out of the bell above my head. The sound that escapes and reverberates throughout the long hallway did, in fact, start with F but ended in A-R-T, and it came out the opposite end!”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, Drummond: Learning to find himself in the music

“If you wanted four eighth-note triplets in one measure you’d run into the same problem. 4/12 will suffice as a time signature in that instance.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, Quadratics: The Tenor Drum Equation

“The most important emphasis in the allotted warmup time is repetition. Don’t talk more than they play!”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, Drumline Information and Warmup Packet

“Rule number one, in general visual design, is to create an exceptional listening environment.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, The Field Percussion User Manual

“Learn with your group. Take as much information away from this season as possible to start the next one with momentum.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, The Field Percussion User Manual

“The on-field warmup should invoke confidence in the members, don’t have them play something that isn’t ready, or above
their level here. Remind them to listen to the environment while playing to understand as much as they can about the overall listening situation. You might try ending the field warmup session with a very loud single note from everyone in order to listen specifically to the reverb and echo of the stadium.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, The Field Percussion User Manual

“It will be necessary to communicate within a loud environment most of the time. ASL signs can help you understand or communicate information without being able to hear it and continuing to rehearse without stopping for minor comments.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, Drumline Information and Warmup Packet

“The on-field warmup should invoke confidence in the members, don’t have them play something that isn’t ready, or above their level here. Remind them to listen to the environment while playing to understand as much as they can about the overall listening situation. You might try ending the field warmup session with a very loud single note from everyone in order to listen specifically to the reverb and echo of the stadium.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, The Field Percussion User Manual

“I considered joining the ban for about half a second, but I knew I wouldn't sign up. It wasn't my band, with my bandmates, and I didn't want to have that experience with anybody else.”
― Ashley C. Ford, Somebody's Daughter