Do you have a child in band, orchestra, or choir that has left you wondering what in the hell this whole music thing is about? Maybe you never played an instrument as a kid and just feel like you are along for a journey.  You won’t say it to your kid, but you don’t really get it.

This weekend both of my middle school children participated in the Illinois Grade School Music Association Competition for band. Both of my kids have played the trumpet for years. I was a band kid myself and to this day find music to be a passion of mine. My husband, on the other hand, has never picked up an instrument in his life. He is a sports lover, who played football in college, and is along for the ride in the band world.

Watching the competition this weekend, I found myself completely geeked out over the process. I was hanging on the feedback from the judges and completely immersed in the small nuances that make big differences when playing in a band. Then I looked over to see my husband with a stare that was glazed over as he tried to show interest in something that is a foreign language to him.

It got me thinking that, alongside my husband, there is probably a lofty number of parents who also feel like they are listening to Latin when they hear the teachings of band directors.  So today I write to break down some of the ambiguity that may go missed by someone who has never played in a musical group.

Band is a sport. I know kids are not tackling each other, running, or throwing a ball, but they are very much intently working alongside their peers to fight in producing a shared goal, a victory of the heart of those listening.  They intently pay attention to each teammate’s pace and role within each measure of the song. They need to be acutely aware of who is playing the melody, so as not to overshadow their significance. They must know when their section is called to carry the others through intentional musical design. This is equivalent to a coach drawing up a play and telling a player that he is to take the shot. Students must understand when they are expected to “shoot the ball” during select measures of the song so they can assist in delivering the essence, meaning, and heart of the song.

The point I am driving home here, is that band is about the collective. It is about a unified goal, vision, and mission towards something bigger than themselves. This is directly correlational to sports. As a basketball player in high school, I knew when I had to box out, assist, or take the foul. It was never about me; it was about winning the game alongside my team. Musicians have the same task at hand. They need to know when to drive, when to rest, and when to carry. They must operate as one for their music to be conveyed as a collective piece of art.

So, the next time you watch your child from the stands and are wondering what this whole band thing is about, remember they are learning how to play a sport of the heart. They are resisting the need to be the center of attention when it is not called for, while simultaneously knowing that if they do not perform with accuracy and intention, they are letting their teammates down. Allow yourself to find the dynamics of your child’s music as the punches or shots kids take in sports. They are warriors of a different kind requiring stamina and fierce commitment to the common good of those who are invested in bringing life to music and music to life.

To all those kids who have found solace, peace, and passion in music, PLAY ON!