Is Drum Corps a sport?

[MikeN]

Not in our schools. Music is an "activity", sports is part of the educational curriculum. During freshmen orientation, music was given about 30 seconds of discussion lumped in with other activities like archery and chess club. Sports took up 15 minutes of an hour meeting all by itself.

However, I received PE credit for marching band all 4 years I was in it. So there is a tacit recognition that it is an athletic activity.

Mike

[garfield]

However, I received PE credit for marching band all 4 years I was in it. So there is a tacit recognition that it is an athletic activity.

Mike

In fact, this context is the exact, and only reason, music and other "activities" were mentioned at all at the _kid's freshman orientation.

Getting credit for PE by marching in the band somehow feels like a slap to me. As if that music program is an "alternative" for those who don't have/want physical ability. Meh, I'm probably too sensitive.

[fsubone]

In fact, this context is the exact, and only reason, music and other "activities" were mentioned at all at the _kid's freshman orientation.

Getting credit for PE by marching in the band somehow feels like a slap to me. As if that music program is an "alternative" for those who don't have/want physical ability. Meh, I'm probably too sensitive.

I liked getting PE credit for the semester we did marching band. Gave us an extra hour a day to practice, and we were usually working harder than the kids in the PE classes.

[Stu]

Getting credit for PE by marching in the band somehow feels like a slap to me. As if that music program is an "alternative" for those who don't have/want physical ability.

I take it then that you would also believe that the plethora of the schools who give PE credit to those who play football is a slap which makes those players feel that the football program is an "alternative" for those who don't have/want physical ability.

[HornTeacher]

In fact, this context is the exact, and only reason, music and other "activities" were mentioned at all at the _kid's freshman orientation.

Getting credit for PE by marching in the band somehow feels like a slap to me. As if that music program is an "alternative" for those who don't have/want physical ability. Meh, I'm probably too sensitive.

For what little it may be worth, Gar...not in my book. Not in the least.

[HornTeacher]

I take it then that you would also believe that the plethora of the schools who give PE credit to those who play football is a slap which makes those players feel that the football program is an "alternative" for those who don't have/want physical ability.

It depends upon whether you are talking about college-level or high school-level. It is my "philosophy" that, at the high school-level, students should not receive PE credit based solely on being a member of an athletic team. PE is curricular...athletic teams are extra-curricular. Band is curricular...Marching Band (and Jazz Ensemble, et. al.) are extra-curricular. "Why the basis for the differentiation?", you might ask. Well, it all comes down to an individual school's academic eligibility code. To give an example...my lead trumpet player, IF failing 2 or more subjects, is ineligible from participating in any and all "extra-curriculars" (which means that I lose my lead player for marching band and jazz ensemble...however, he is ALSO lost to any athletic teams of which he may be a current member). However, he IS still lead trumpet for my Concert Band, since it is seen as "curricular."

Based on this, I don't see the fairness of students receiving "curricular" (i.e., PE) credit based upon participation in "extra-curricular" (i.e. Varsity Football, Basketball, Hockey, Tiddley Winks, Marching Band, or Jazz Ensemble) activities.

Now that I've occupied valuable virtual space with this well-intended rant, I do grant that if you are speaking of College-level credit assignments, all bets are off.

Color me naive.

[FlamMan]

No.

[Stu]

No.

Yes.

[Slingerland]

Do the participants/teams utilize a regimen that includes cardio, strength, and endurance training in order to prepare the participants? Yes.

Is the bulk of their energy expended on strenuous movement that the average person couldn't do as well as they? Yes.

Is a less-conditioned performer likely to fail, where a better conditioned performer will succeed - in short, does physical conditioning play a role in determining success? Yes.

Are they expending amounts of energy that causes the body to become leaner, stronger, and faster? Yes.

Do the participants compete against each other with the understanding, on their part, that the more work they do to become faster, stronger, and more physical skilled, the higher likelihood of success their team will have against others?

Did drum corps in the 1960s or 70s put those same demands on the performers? No, not really. So for us dino's nah, it really wasn't that much of a sport, but today? Well, I'd like to see the nay-sayers strap on and do a few runs of a WC show, and see what they say then.

[bill]

Do the participants/teams utilize a regimen that includes cardio, strength, and endurance training in order to prepare the participants? Yes.

Is the bulk of their energy expended on strenuous movement that the average person couldn't do as well as they? Yes.

Is a less-conditioned performer likely to fail, where a better conditioned performer will succeed - in short, does physical conditioning play a role in determining success? Yes.

Are they expending amounts of energy that causes the body to become leaner, stronger, and faster? Yes.

Sounds like a "Viagra" commercial.