Band and Stuff

thiccolo

thiccolo

thiccolo

thiccolo

thiccolo

thiccolo

Band camp is nearly upon us, and while you may have seen other marching season advice passed around already, being trans can pose an extra set of challenges. These tips are what I do as a transmasculine person to make life easier; afab transneutral people may also find some of this to be helpful!

Do not bind under any circumstances!! I cannot stress this enough–you should never bind at band camp. It’s hot and you’ll be exercising. If you’re a wind player, you shouldn’t bind while playing anyway, but this applies to percussion, guard, and drum majors too. You will pass out. Wear ONE properly-fitting sports bra instead. 

Shirts with logos will help hide your chest when you can’t bind. Comfortable button-ups also work well, and if it’s not too hot, wearing an open short-sleeved button-up over a t-shirt works wonders.   

Wear a snapback hat. Not only will it help keep the sun off your face, I find that they make me look and feel a lot more masc.

Basketball shorts are your friend. They’re masculine, can help hide your hips, and are still good for hours of marching outside.

Listen to your body. If you’re wearing dark shirts or layers or if you decided to wear a binder anyway (please don’t), make sure you ask for breaks if you feel lightheaded or nauseous. Don’t push yourself and get hurt!

 General tips:

Bring water. Bring so much water, and drink as much as you can. If your band is like mine, there may not be refill stations available this year due to the virus, so make sure to bring a big bottle.

Get some sunscreen and sunglasses. Don’t get burnt from spending all day in the sun or end up staring at the sun all day while it’s directly behind the drum majors.

Bring extra reeds, valve oil, etc.

Keep track of your music and drill sheets. Make sure you keep them in your case, flip folder, or anywhere else safe where you won’t lose them.

Listen to the drum majors, section leaders, and staff, especially if you’re new! They’re here to help you, but you can’t have a smooth rehearsal if you don’t listen to them.

Wear a mask and social distance at camp. I know we’re all missing our friends from band, but don’t put yourself or them in danger by ignoring safety guidelines!

note: this is from my experience going to sleepaway band camp, so most of these tips probably won’t apply to band camp hosted at your school.

bring extra clothes!! this is the most important thing on this list. extra shorts, shirts, socks, underwear, shoes (if you have a pair), everything. take as much extra as you physically can. you might not need all of it, but it’s better to have leftover clean clothes at the end of the week than it is to wear soggy, uncomfortable socks.

WEAR SUNSCREEN!!! i don’t care who you are. i don’t care if you don’t burn easily. i left band camp freshmen year with an extremely painful sunburn because i forgot to reapply sunscreen one afternoon. it’s just not worth the pain and potential permanent skin damage.

DRINK WATER!!! all the time. bring a water bottle. fill that thing up every opportunity you get. it might not help with all your aches and pains, but it will definitely keep you from passing out while setting drill. 

bring comfortable shoes with plenty of support. no, converse don’t cut it. there’s $15 shoes at walmart with plenty of padding that will get you through the week better than converse. your feet will thank you.

if there is any possibility you could need some sort of brace (ankle, knee, shoulder, ect), you absolutely need to bring it with you. i know this might seem obvious, but every year there are people who forget.

if you are in a lot of pain, ask to take a break. go see the nurse, if you can. don’t force yourself to keep marching, as that will only make it worse and can cause more damage to any injuries you may have. 

if you need to sneak in medication of some sort (forgot to get your prescription forms signed, want to control your own ibuprofen, ect), make sure you keep it hidden. if they search your luggage before you leave, keep it in your pockets or a compartment in your instrument case until you’ve gotten to your dorm.

it’s okay to be anxious or homesick or just generally upset. there are definitely other kids in the same boat, whether they show it or not.

you are going to get mad at your directors. that’s normal.

marching is hard! playing is hard! marching and playing at the same time is even harder! you will probably struggle with it for most, if not all, of your freshmen year. it will get easier eventually. just try not to get too frustrated, and it will all work out in the end.

listen to upperclassmen when they try to help you. they are going to offer more valuable advice than any of the directors. 

don’t get pop at every meal. i know it’s tempting, but try to get lemonade or iced tea (or, ya know, water) sometimes. 

i know it’s overwhelming, but try to make at least one new friend. chances are, you might lose a few old ones (god knows i did), and you want to have at least one new friend to fall back on if that happens.