Let's look at it. We stand out in the hot sun during the marching season. We have injuries, people fainting and what not, and We have pro circuits like the big sports. So could band be considered as a sport?

I wouldnt really consider it a sport...I take that back it is a sport. If NASCAR can be a sport band can. Its by far more mentally challenging than any other sport ive played. Its also more physical than some of the "sports" out there

alright...i know how this is gonna sound and not many people are gonna like it but here's what i think. i think it's like a sport in the way that cheerleading can be considered a sport. i mean, take a lot of the same arguments that cheerleaders have posed in saying that they are a sport, and then look at all the reasons why others say that they're not a sport...and then if you take that and line it up with all the reasons for band...they're practically identical. now i'm not saying that i do or do not think it is a sport here...i'm just throwing up a parallel.

Oh, ok. I see what you're saying. Cheerleading is a sport to a certain point, and you're saying band is parallel to cheerleading so band is a sport to a certain point, right?

I suppose marching band could be considered a sport, but I consider it more of a performance art myself. I'm not saying that we don't work as hard as sports teams, just that the main focus is on the music and what the forms look like. Yes, to get good results in the music and the drill we do sports-like things, but still I think it's more of an art.

But then again, ice dancing is an Olympic sport, so the lines between sport and performance art are pretty blurry...

I define a sport as something that is exerting and competetive. So, Marching Band and Drum Corps are most definately sports!

If Rhythmic Gymnastics and syncronized Swimming are sports (they must be since they are in the Olympics,) then I don't see why band/corps is not.

But it is also performance art as Drummergrl004 said. So maybe it should be put into a new classification:

Performance Sport

Maybe now WE will get the sponsorships and the ESPN coverage. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Good point M.A.M!!!! I'll get the petition board ready!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

I like that performance sport idea. Then jocks could stop b*tching about how rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming and figure skating aren't sports, and people involved in those things as well as band/corps could still get the prestige athletes get. A happy medium...

I would sign that petition.

u should really start one..i mean think about it all these posts! I would sign it!