How much harder is college marching band than high school band? (for color guard)?

Question

How much harder is college marching band than high school band? (for color guard)?

Answer 1

Im sure it would be alot harder than we expect.  Last week I went to a marching band competition with alot of amazing groups and Im guessing some were college level it looked like it was incredibly hard for some of those groups because they were drenched in sweat and they looked TIRED after the show.  I think it just depends on how well your doing in your highschool guard i mean, if you suck then yeah it is going to be alot harder for you in a college group but if your well skilled in flag, rifle, and sabre then you should be good to go.

Answer 2

I was in the color guard of a very competetive state /regional champion high school band, and was also in the color guard through college. You are right that without the competitions you're used to, it isn't usually as intense in college band. However, other things will make it harder or intense in other ways - sometimes it's squad competition more than you had in h.s., maybe even for your spot on the field; plus you're in a new place with new people juggling college courses and life with band, and that can add challenges.

     But most importantly - being in college band will allow you to make new friends fast in a place probably much bigger than your h.s. - it's a great way to start off, even if you have to quit the next year to focus on your studies or other interests. By then you'll have a built in network of friends, tutors, carpoolers, etc. Walking around campus as a freshman, but already knowing people in all the grade levels that you nod and wave to or stop and chat - it sure does make you more comfortable right off the bat.

     So if you're in h.s. band and deciding whether to go for it in college - DO! You'll never regret doing it.

Answer 3

i honestly think highschool marching band MIGHT be a bit more demanding, just for the fact that most college bands DON'T comepete. i'm not saying highschool band is better or harder, just that highschools compete.

i'm still in highschool myself, so i can't tell you personally, that college band is harder. but nothing is easy. you will probably have to work a little harder.

at a winterguard competition, the college we went to had a pretty good witnerguard. but since they weren't competing, they were droping rifles, sabres, and hitting flags w/ other flags! it was AWFUL. but it seemed like they didn't care, because they weren't going to win anything. but don't get me wrong, alot of winterguards drop from time to time. lol

Answer 4

I was in a competitive marhcign band in high school in the USSBA circut. Now I am in college, and the college marchign band is a piece of cake. It ALL depends on which college you are going to. does your marhicng band in high school compete? A great deal of colleges are more lax in marching band because they are entertaining and not competing like some of the high schools. some however, are more difficult. Youtube college marching band and see what pops up...the best will come up and you can see what to expect. I believe UMASS DARTMOUTH and MICHIGAN are pretty hardcore so take a look at them for comparison for "the hardest"