Marching Band Purity Test

Compiled by Connie
Lynbrook Marching band 1998-2001
(Check the items that apply to you)

You've been in Marching band
for two years
You didn't just join to get out of PE
You know the band termonology/ hierarchy of the classes (rookies vs. veterans)
You've been mistaken for a rookie when you were actually a 4th year veteran
You were a drum major
You were section leader
You were assistant drum major
You know how to twirl a mace despite the fact that you weren't a drum major or assistant drum major
ditto the drum major salute
You've often reaked the benefits of seniority
You've used it to get your uniform first
get your meals first
As a rookie you worshipped the veterans
You become outraged when you have to ride an ordinary school bus to competitions
You've been on a bus ride that's lasted more than 8 hours
You've played obscene games while on the bus
In broad daylight
with the band director in the same bus
You've been in a bus that's bathroom was used when it wasn't supposed to be
You watched blockbuster  hit movies for the first time on the way to a competition ( ie. the Matrix or Star Wars)
You've watched professional band tapes or other musical groups on the bus (ie. Stomp)
You know who the Blue Devils are
You've made it to a competion without your gloves
without your hat
without your instrument
You've had some weird things done to you when you fell asleep on the bus
You can change into your uniform in a pitch dark crammed bus in under 5 minutes
When at a competition your section arranges your cases into really cool designs
You've had a solo in the field show
You've had to fake playing another instrument so you could have a spot to march
You learned another instrument so you could have a spot to march
Your band has been on TV
more than once
You've missed the SAT or an important conference for a band competition
You've attended band camp
You have the urge to kill anyone who recites the line from "American Pie"
it's even more ironic because you actually play the flute (but they don't have to know that...)
All your friends are in band
you worship your band director despite the fact that (s)he terrifies you
You refer to the band director or the assistant band director by their first name
you refer to them by some nickname (ie, mum, dad, doc)
You've had to run laps for being stupid
You've had to high mark time for being late
You've marched in weather that was over 100 degrees
for more than 4 hours
you enjoy doing that on a day to day bases
Your favorite excuse is "I can't!  I've got practice!"
You have a million tans (shirt tan, sock tan, farmer's tan, hairline tan)
they're from your instrument
You've named part of the drill and refer to it often ( the MIB part)
You're the only girl in the trumpet section or the only guy in the flute section
You killed your self trying to move 8 yards in four beats
When walking with a glass full of water you curl your toes
  You always feel the urge to walk instep with the people in front of you
You've had to march crab walk before
a pin wheel
a company front
You think the company front is the best part of the show
When someone starts singing part of a previous show you start singing along
so does everyone else around you
During class you drum out the percussion part on your desk
you're not a percussion player
You wear marching shoes just for the hell of it
You wear your official band jacket because it makes you look cool
You have an ongoing rivalry with other bands
At one point you've plotted the destruction of another band
When listening to adjudication tapes you knew the judge was talking specifically about you
You've dropped your hat during a show
You've fallen during a show
You dropped your flute while trying to twirl it during parade practice
it was concrete that you dropped it on
You've had weirdo marching instructors to help with your technique (hey, guys!!  I'm thinking of my grandmother!!  ::shudder::)
Your band director made you cry
more than once
your section leader made you cry
You've marched in the rain
You derive so much fun out of making fun of the color guard
There are male members of the color guard
You modify cheerleader cheers into band cheers
You've actually seen your football team win a game
You feud with the football team and/ or cheerleaders
You've gone to practice even though you had a fever of 105
You passed out during practice
You know how to prevent yourself from sneezing
from coughing
from screeching in pain because of a bee sting
from blinking
You love standing inspection
You love gauntlets
People call you a band geek often
You take it as a complement
You're a legend in your band
You've had to sing your part during practice instead of count
You've been part of the winter percussion
winter guard
your section has a theme song (Bye bye bye baby!)
your section leader has inticed you to do well by promising to dance for the section if you do
You've been to a band sleep over
Your section has weird traditions
You've played Liberty Bell or some other Sousa march for parade
You've done a scatter drill
but you couldn't run because the director was afraid you might collide into a sousaphone
You're a woodwind player that's switched to brass so you could be in bugle corps
You can form a straight line but you can't form curves if your life depended on it
When you have to walk long strides you squat
You've been insulted by other bands
You've thrown stuff at other bands
You refuse to look at the routine of the band infront of you (bad luck)
Massages are a tradition
You've cried at the last competition
During concert season you wait and wait for band camp to arrive once again
You met your significant other during band
You've been in a drill down
You won
you were only a rookie
You hold yardline markers proudly
You've had the opportunity to throw water balloons a the rookies =)
You've dreamed about marching band
it wasn't a scary dream (ie. doing a show to Titanic)
You wear black socks all the time now
You've been to a competition that was out of state
out of country (sigh... China... so unfair!!)
You spend hours with your band friends talking about band politics
Give yourself a point
You believe that band has taught your some good values and discipline
You want to join the marching band in college
You consider marching band a family
You love band!!!