Is Band a Sport?

“I know most people when they hear people say band is a sport are immediately drawn aback and say, ‘but you just sit and play your instrument, how can it be a sport?’” Kelly Herring states, as she hears the long-debated question of if band is a sport or not. “Band as a whole is not a sport, but marching band is,” Herring says. “Marching band can be rather strenuous, physically and mentally,” confirms Cody Hale, a member of the North Augusta Band Program. He later defends his position with the fact that, “some members play 30-pound instruments that still have to go and move to their specific spot while keeping their horns up.” Elizabeth Faulkner, another North Augusta High School band member, adds that “we also do a lot more than ‘walk’. There’s more technique to it.”

“Technically yes, I think it could be classified as a sport, but I also think it’s a preforming art. So, I honestly can’t favor one side completely. I’d say it’s a mixture of a sport and a performing art,” says Gillian Gregory, a member of the North Augusta High School soccer team as well as a part of the North Augusta High School band. “I do not think it is a sport, although it does take a ton of time and dedication,” Irish Miles states. Miles also states that “I would consider it a performing art.” Sherry Kong, an artist published in North Augusta High School’s Epiphany magazine and tennis player at North Augusta High School, states that “[she] would consider marching band a sport if it competes with other teams.”

“I personally don’t think marching band is a sport. It does involve a lot of physical activity but not to the same extent that most sports do,” says Elizabeth Maul, a member of the Jacket Regiment. “I don’t think band is a sport,” states Josh Noyce, a member of the North Augusta High School baseball team. Noyce also states that “they do put in effort to do what they do, I just think it’s a different word than sport. Maybe some kind of art.”

Photo Credit: NAHS Social Media Page

Pictured: NAHS Jacket Regiment performing at a home football game