About Us

Southern Tioga Marching Band

Jon Ruth, Director

Carol Ann McCloy, Assistant Director

Chris Medycki, Percussion Caption Head

Larry Trimble, Color Guard Director

WHY MARCHING BAND?    - by Mr. Ruth

There are so many reasons why marching band is an integral part of a school music program, and we encourage all instrumentalists to get involved with it and at least try it at some level. Coordination of body movement with playing is a difficult skill, and it produces a more well-rounded musician than one who just sits and plays. Moving while carrying a (sometimes heavy) instrument is a physical workout greater than many sports, but the artistic element of the act of marching music utilizes all parts of the brain in a way that no other activity does. It's truly a mental and a physical exercise.

Another benefit is that marching band is a HUGE community outreach for our school. Several area towns hold parades, and a parade is incomplete without a marching band! The community is already excited about having a strong marching band, and it will be great to be able to provide this sense of community culture.

All of that aside, though - there is a greater reason why I believe marching music is so important. Throughout a season, we will spend MANY hours together perfecting a short performance of music and movement. By doing this, we'll be able to achieve a level of performance beyond any other ensemble that these students will be involved with. As a TEAM, we will grow as musicians and as humans as together we devote ourselves to making the performance the best it can possibly be. Committment, responsibility, and perseverence are life skills that are developed through this activity. EVERYONE is a part of the ensemble. We have no JV, no backups, no benchwarmers. EVERYONE is able to participate and contribute from the most talented and experienced musician to the student who just started. The only requirement is to TRY your BEST. EVERYONE gets to play in the marching band - if you're willing to give it your best. If you do, you'll have an experience you'll carry with you for the rest of your life.

There are many of them out there, but here's an article I read recently which elaborates further on some of the benefits of marching band...

https://kidzu.co/art/music/7-reasons-marching-band-is-good-for-kids/

We are working hard to design our fall marching band program (August through October) in a way that while it takes a lot of time, it's possible to be in a sport AND in marching band. Talk to your band teacher about it if you're interested. We'll be rehearsing typically once or twice per week, then Fridays from after school until the game. There will be some Saturday events throughout the course of the fall, and they'll be posted on the calendar as soon as confirmed.  Our winter season (indoor drumline) will be longer and more involved, and is designed for an outlet for our most committed students, it is our "sport of the arts". 

If you're thinking about getting involved, or have any questions, feel free to email me at jruth@southerntioga.org . 

-Mr. Ruth