Band is a collection of students who work hard and have passion for the craft. The SHS Band involves multiple types of musicians and talented people who work together to achieve a common goal—to strive for excellence in music, sportsmanship, and discipline. It is a family connected by the same interests. 

Many students who are not a part of band have their own conceptions surrounding band and band kids. However, to truly know what it’s like, it is important to delve into the complex subculture and experience first hand. 

Marching band is an assembly of students who either play instruments or participate in color guard. These instrument types range between brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Students participate in band camp, after school practice, in class practice, and at home practice. They pour countless hours and measureless effort into getting every detail of their performance just right. The SHS band performs for football game halftime shows in which they play multiple songs and march to form various shapes and patterns across the field. They also participate in concert band, once the marching season is over.  This is all accomplished through the hard work fueled by a common goal, vision, and passion for performance. 

It can be difficult to understand all the complexities that go into being a band kid. After all, “…you’d understand it if you joined it” as Jael Rodriguez, Tuba player of the Pride of Tribe describes. Many have their own perceptions of band kids. Jaliyah Rodriguez, a SHS student who doesn’t participate in band, describes band kids as “unique and really nice and open” and that they are students who “…have certain standards that people outside of the performing arts don’t have.” Those in band have often dedicated years into practicing and studying their instrument. They are very passionate about what they do and are willing to spend hours in the hot sun or stand in drizzling rain if it means they get to work on perfecting their drill or fixing their footwork. They have created an atmosphere of positivity that is often welcoming. As Bernard Trussell, a sophomore flute player for the pride of the tribe expresses, “…as Mr. Malcolm and Labonte say, we are a big family all together.” 

As a new student in color guard this year, I  have had the chance to experience band with little prior knowledge about it before. Many things surprised me about the art. However, the one thing that stood out to me was the amazing community that band has created. As Alek Dyer, a sophomore trumpet player for the Pride of the Tribe explains “Band kids are there for each other. They have each other’s backs.”  Samuel Sautel, a senior alto sax player explains, “It is like a family, we’re all really close…it’s kind of like a sports team, we’re united as such.” With countless hours spent practicing together, it’s no wonder that such a tight-knit community forms. Members of Pride of the Tribe  bond with one another over shared passions, especially their shared love for music. 

Seminole’s band’s subculture can be experienced through their performances, as they are one of the centers for school spirit. They unify the school, especially during football games. In fact, upon being asked about a trait unique to band, Sautel remarked about the cadences. The way that everyone in band is so passionate about Seminole just goes on to display this community even more. Overall, band’s subculture is due to just how passionate everyone in it is and how it extends into the school’s spirit and community, as even those not in band can see this deep rooted passion for playing and marching that is a part of this group of performers.