Most parents want their children to do well in school, to make trustworthy friends, and enjoy the richness of life. This is where band has an impact.

Band gives students an instant social group with which to bond; a musical outlet that is, in many ways, much more intense and driven than your typical classes. Being in band teaches great life skills.

Although sports teams and student organizations teach teamwork and leadership skills, these organizations only give a few students the opportunity to learn. While only the best participate on a sports team and the most popular participate in student-elected organizations, everyone participates in band.

Dear Band Member:

I am so glad you chose to dedicate and discipline yourself to learn to play a musical instrument. Did you know there are many life-long benefits you will acquire because of this decision?

Through participation in a band program, you not only learn team-building and leadership skills, you also learn how to think both independently and collectively in the completion of all the required significant tasks.

The idea of teamwork is essential. Through band, you learn how to help others in achieving a common goal. You teach others the necessary skills to play up to a certain level while working in groups, both large and small. This is why band is for everyone!

In life, you will not always work with others at your level of competence. Sometimes, they will be at a higher level, sometimes lower. Through band, because it is so inclusive, each person learns to work as a member of the team, no matter the level of competence of the other members.

Band members should be encouraged to audition for every solo and ensemble competition that is available. Yes, there are months of practice time required and your instructors will always be on your case to make improvements. Of course, you will be nervous about the audition because you will have to go alone into a room and impress the judges with your performance, and then wait for the results. So, why is this a good thing?

If you have taken advantage of these audition experiences, you have been preparing for the job interviews that are to come later. Think about it: you must spend abundant time in preparation for your stressful interview so you can have an outstanding performance that will impress the potential employer enough to hire you instead of someone else.

It is not a secret that band participation makes you a better person, contributes to higher achievement, increases your chances of becoming a successful adult, and brings lifetime enjoyment. Take a look at those who have participated in the band program over the years—valedictorians, salutatorians, merit scholarship finalists and winners, school leaders.

Never apologize or be ashamed because you are a member of the band. Be proud of what you do and what you have accomplished! You, and those who sit around you, have achieved success that others can only dream about.

A college admissions counselor said that a student’s membership in marching band can make an affirmative difference during the admissions process. If a student is involved in activities such as band, can demonstrate leadership, and show that he or she can put something positive back into the university and community, it reflects well on the candidate.

Consider being a member of the band in college, too. If you like football or basketball, there are opportunities to attend home and away games for free. Think about college bowl games and March madness. Fans can never find tickets (which are expensive)—but the band is always there.

Why band?

It teaches discipline, it develops self-confidence, it provides for opportunities of pride and accomplishments. Band teaches the importance of encouraging and working with others. It helps develop the social skills necessary to be a part of a successful organization.

Band participation instills the values of responsibility, leadership, purpose and direction, devotion to duty, and the all-important spirit of cooperation.

Not all of you will become great musicians, but all of you will become more mature, cooperative, self-disciplined, hard-working members of our society because of your whole-hearted participation in the band and because you have bought in and embraced the purposes of this organization.

Your success in life is not determined by your participation in music. But, your enjoyment, appreciation, and curiosity of life are strongly heightened, and your life skills are sharpened, because you had this unique experience.

And, in spite of all the hard work, you still have more fun than anyone else!