Yeah…I’m a band-head…So what do I do when it ISN’T the season?
Anybody that has that band-head ‘itch’ knows the dilemma that is the off-season all too well. Today’s band-head has it a bit easier that WE did back in the pre-youtube era; Got an urge to watch some footage? No worries. You’re a PC and a mouse click away from a veritable smorgasbord of Clips, Full Shows, and Amateur commentary to keep you satisfied. You pretty much can get your crank addiction on in the comfort of your dorm room (or home) anytime you see fit.
That being said, some of us that love the craft actually LIKE doing other things that DON’T involve the watching of footage, so here’s a primer for some DIFFERENT things the typical band-head can do to effectively pass that summer time until Pre-Drill hits:
1) Seek out other like-minded Band-Heads. Young or old, Band-Heads understand other Band-Heads; You MIGHT be able to ‘convert’ the occasional casual friend (or family member) to run in our circles, but you also run the risk of getting those awkward ‘side-eye’ looks from the same folks if they catch you marching in place and re-living your ‘glory days’, or engaging in alumni band-head ‘Real vs. Paper’ arguments.
2) Did I mention seeking out other like-minded Band-Heads? LOL. I’m just saying, even if you’re a summer sports fan, you’re days of leisure are gonna be pretty barren if you’re still clinging to the idea of REPLACING your Band-Head pre-occupation with something like…baseball…smh…
3) Who am I kidding? There ISN’T a first line alternative for true fans of the craft…I know I find myself following and involved with the growth and development of every new crop of Marching hornets EVERY SUMMER. Whether it’s through social media. or conversing with fellow alumni, that urge to talk shop doesn’t just go away, particularly if you’re closer to it through your job.
Fortunately for today’s bandhead, the HBCU Band season doesn’t really stop when the football season does. Whether it’s Honda, or Mardi Gras, or any number of small, organized skirmishes between individual programs, the need to continuously hone and perfect the craft doesn’t go away with the last touchdown or fight song. Some programs (Southern and NC A&T immediately come to mind) understand this new reality and have embraced it. The result for those programs (and there respective schools) have been a level of positive public exposure that’s never been seen before for the craft. It’s also been a NEEDED positive visibility boost for our institutions.
Now that I think of it; Maybe the off-season for HBCU bandheads isn’t so bad after all…
Until next entry…