A marching band is a group of musicians, usually woodwinds, brass and percussionists that mix coordinated movements with the playing of music. Marching bands grew out of the popularity accorded to military bands, and in fact, march music was often composed for military bands.

Today many young musicians participate in a marching band through their school. As well, colleges may have a marching band. There are also professional marching bands for adults.

The less experienced marching band, as from a secondary or high school, may participate in a few local parades. They may also have a dance team, or a flag team that participates in the march, and they almost always include a drum major. Until recently, uniforms were quite elaborate, with high top hats, and elaborate coats and pants displaying a school’s colors.

Today one is more apt to see a local marching band that may have coordinating t-shirts and shorts. This represents less expense, and is frequently a more comfortable way to march. Traditionally dressed marching bands still exist, and are most likely to be found in schools that have a long tradition of marching band excellence.

Though it almost goes without saying, a marching band typically marches in a parade. The more elaborate bands may also perform moves and routines for sporting events during half-time. College football teams often offer entertainment by their local marching band as part of a half-time show.

A marching band should be both musically adept and skilled at moving as a single unit. Marching tends in most small school-based bands to be simply stepping along with the music. More experienced bands may use a high military-type step, but this is uncommon at the amateur level.

With budget cuts to music programs, many schools no longer have marching bands. These bands require long hours of practice in order to move as one, and many teachers lack the time or the inclination to devote additional hours to this cause. Instead, where school music programs exist, schools may offer chances to participate in bands that play performances which exclude marching.

Often, however, some of the best brass and woodwind band music are wonderful marches. For example, most people recognize a Souza march with ease, even if they are not musicians.

Though the art form of the marching band no longer has the same degree of participation, there are still competitions and parades for marching bands throughout the US. Large parades like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Rose Parade in Pasadena, attract many talented groups who are well worth watching. With such parades still very popular to both locals and television viewers, it is unlikely that the marching band will become a lost art.