National Standards for Marching Band - Music for All

Music for All
Summer
Symposium
National Standards
for
Marching Band

MENC Opening Statement
The marching music performance encompasses music,
dance, theatre and visual arts and contributes to the
development of an individual’s character, physical,
musical and cognitive abilities. The marching music
performance ensemble has been an integral part of
American history, and can be an effective component of
a comprehensive music education program.

Opening Statement, Continued
The marching arts is a unique place where
students learn:
Musicianship Excellence Accountability
Success Integrity Character
Goals Perseverance Commitment
Empathy Diversity Physical activity
Attitude Performance Excellence

Opening Statement, Continued
The marching music performance ensemble
contributes to nurturing student performers as they
learn about challenging standards of superior
performances while discovering that the
achievement of excellence is a process, not an
event. The marching music performance
ensemble is an inclusive curriculum that is devoted
to student performers becoming proficient
musicians, performers, team players, learning how
to fit into a community, and self-accountability.

Opening Statement, Continued
The adult life of every student is enriched by the
skills, knowledge and character traits acquired in
the participation of the marching music
performance ensemble. While participating in a
marching music ensemble, the students learn that
the value of goal setting is ultimately a set of
decisions about: what to do, why to do it, and how
to do it. Increases are measured in the
performers’ self-esteem, in areas not measured
through academic testing, a developing creative
curiosity and expressive abilities beyond the
linguistic and mathematical.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
Statement of Purpose
The standards for health, safety and wellness are to promote
knowledge and application of skills for performers to maintain a
physically active and healthful life. We recognize the
responsibility of the marching music arts to inculcate a sense of
well-being through knowledge and application of these
standards. The attainment of these standards will favorably
impact their lives and those around them by being physically,
mentally, socially and emotionally healthy performers.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
STANDARDS
Identifying and demonstrating movement techniques
(body alignment, strength, stamina)
Identifying and demonstrating healthy lifestyle habits
(nutrition, skin care, hydration),
Demonstrating and understanding proper rehearsal
techniques to insure safe, healthy, and effective
rehearsal and performance (handling equipment, set up/
break down)
Responding and adapting to environmental conditions
and changes (sun, wind, heat/cold, attire, footwear, indoor/
outdoor)
Demonstrate and apply critical thinking and analytical
techniques and skills to insure effective performances
(leadership/followship skills, error correction techniques)

Identifying and Demonstrating Movement
Techniques (body alignment, strength, stamina)
Efficient Use of skeletal/musculature structure
Programmatic progression of difficulty
Realistic assessment of program goals,
student fitness, safety instruction in relationship
with visual and musical competencies

Identifying and Demonstrating Healthy Lifestyle
Habits (nutrition, skin care, hydration)
Hydration
Nutrition
Skin Care (sunscreen, moisturizers, injuries)
Vision Care (exposure to sun and elements)
Personal fitness and hygiene
Auditory Wellness (USE EARPLUGS!)

Demonstrating and Understanding Proper Rehearsal
Techniques to Insure Safe, Healthy, and
Effective Rehearsal and Performance
Training for equipment handlers: students
and volunteers
Training in food and beverage handling
Pacing and length of rehearsals for physical
and mental well-being
Clothing/uniform requirements for rehearsal
and performance

Responding and Adapting to Environmental
Conditions and Changes (sun, wind, heat/
cold, attire, footwear, indoor/outdoor)
Provide instruction/supervision in dealing with
sun-exposure
Provide instruction/supervision in dealing with
other performance elements (wind, temperature,
light, etc.)
Thoughtful consideration for proper attire for
rehearsal and performance applications

Demonstrate and Apply Critical Thinking and
Analytical Techniques and Skills to Insure
Effective Performances.
Leadership and/or followship instruction and
skills
Error correction techniques
Proactive mental well-being instruction
(audience approval/disapproval, adjudication,
personal goal-setting and evaluation, value of a
positive attitude)

Resources
Performing Arts Medicine Associates www.artsmed.org/
www.sport-fitness-advisor.com
“Stretching the Truth”
www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sports/playmagazine/112pewarm.html
Marching Athletes Injuries and Illnesses at Band
Camp www.nursingcenter.com/prodev/cearticleprint.asp?CE_ID=827034#
“Marching Band Health Tips”
www.marching.com/spotlight/marching-band-health-tips/
“Athletes in the Arts” http://athletesinthearts.com

Resources, Continued
“Visual Practices Handbook”
http://cf.wcu.edu/prideofthemountains/new/pom/pdf/WCUVisualHandbook.pdf
Handout 1: Dynamic Stretches
Handout 2: Tips to a Healthy Marching
Band
Handout 3: Visual Handbook Intro

Conclusion
I would like to thank MENC, Music for All, Drum
Corps International, the entire Blue Ribbon
Committee on Standards and all of the music
educators who have offered their assistance in
the preparation of this presentation.