What do you guys think about having 8th graders in marching band? We're tossing the idea around and I'm looking for some input, so let me know.

We've marched 8th graders for about 4 years now. It's a good idea if you need to boost your numbers. However, the loss-gain ratio is so close for next year's band that we won't have to march 8th graders next year. My band started marching 8th graders when I was that age, and it really helped build a base for my classmates and me to grow and mature as players and, for most, leaders.

I think that if they can hold their own, then they should be able to make it. Like, they shouldn't get any specail treatment in the audition process and stuff.

I believe the 8th grader system works, but only for specific instances. Two years ago, my high school's drumline was in need of a couple extra people, one on bassline and one for another spot. I was lucky enough to be invited to try out for bass. I made bass that year and it gave me a truly great experience. I got to meet lots of older kids that enjoyed the same things that I enjoyed and I really felt like a part of something big. This greatly helped my percussion career as it opened my eyes to many new people and areas, and a new level of playing. I am very grateful for this opportunity.

While I was greatly aided by this, I also feel like it was a useful tool for our drumline. Not only did I fill in the spot, but now, as senior members are leaving, I, and the other member starting in 8th grade, will be able to pass on the legacy in a more mature and educated manner. We are section leaders this year and the senior members of the line (3rd year). If there had not been the use of us as 8th graders, there would be no kids that were really carrying on what the drumline is about and that had the experience needed to lead a drumline. I think the use of 8th graders can be excellent for your drumline, if you use a limited amount of them, and they are mature and able to handle it.

I would like someone to please provide some evidence against this. I see someone voted no in the poll and I would like them to back up their opinion.

Well, I didn't vote, but I would think that really it depends on the situation your in. Band members tend to "purify" over the years, as the lazy ones quit and the devoted ones stay, so if you think the 8th graders can march, then let them, but otherwise give them a few more years to prepare.

you have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. we march 7th and 8th graders consistently, and have marched 6th graders in the past.

it can be frustrating bringing them in -- that puts a lot of 12, 13, and 14 year olds into the band, and they're not going to act like the 17 and 18 year olds in the band.

but, if you can keep working them hard, the rewards can be great. for example, i have a drumline with 6 players, of which 4 are freshmen. Even with four freshmen in the line, we're one of the best lines around, because they've all been in the line for multiple years.

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In our band we've got 8th graders and they aren't that good, we find ourselves working extra hard to compensate for their lack of experience, it makes camp and the season difficult. Lots of them lack maturity and responsiblity.

thats why you only take a select few that are responsible and mature to handle the situation. You dont invite the whole class to join marching band. Some people are better players than others. I stand behind moveing up the few that can. I would say only 8th graders though.

Irondrummer - Like most have said, it depends on the situation. If the band is really small and there is a real need for bodies to fill uniforms (for example if the the administration wants to cut the program because they don't see enough of the uniforms that they bought in use), then it is definitely an option. It would also work if the 8th graders are also in the same building as the highschoolers, such as in a jr-sr high school. On the whole, however, from my experience, I would recommend not doing it.

1. It's a logistical nightmare.

If the 8th graders are not in the same building or complex, it is very difficult to communicate scheduling changes across town to the middle school and be sure that all of the participating 8th graders are informed of the change. If activities are held during the day (for pep rallies and activities like that) you will be pulling students out of classes that they normally would not miss. You will also have to find a way to get them from one place to another (and you driving them is a BIG no-no.)

Also, most middle schools (at least in this area) do not work on the same schedule as the high school (due to bussing availibility, etc.) and most often get out later than the HS. This will cause problems with after school rehearsals, as either the HS students would have to wait to rehearse until the 8th graders get there, thus making the day longer for them and wasting their and your time, or the 8th graders will wind up missing some of the rehearsal, (and I think that we can all agree that they would be the one group that needs as much time as they can get) which makes it difficult to clean things as well as causing some things to be taught more than once.

Again, if the 8th grade is in the HS, this point is moot.

2. Maturity level

As was mentioned before, the maturity level of the 8th grades is below that of high schoolers. I have also found that students in this grade (and 7th graders)are more difficult to control than your everyday high schooler. They are still going through puberty, and don't yet know how to handle the hormones racing through their bodies, nor how to control themselves when it does happen. I would say that 70% of all of the problems we had with students inappropriately touching each other, sleeping around, and relationships adversely affecting the group were attibuted to the 8th graders. Please trust me in that you don't want to have to become involved with any of that if something happens.

As an aside here, it is also going to mean that the staff is going to have to deal with some feminine hygene issues as they don't seem to grasp the idea that they should be bringing stuff with them in case they start menstruating during practices or performances. Our guard instructor wound up having to keep a selection of pads, tampons, and other items with her at all times because there were too many instances of someone bleeding through their uniforms. If the staff is all male, you're going to have an even bigger problem dealing with these issues, as there is no way you can help in a time of need. And males trying to help in these situations can be misinterpreted by others to the point of legal problems.

Marching band days are very, very long, especially competition days, and most 8th and younger kids tend to get very cranky after a certain amount of time. They don't know how to pace themselves or keep themselves occupied while they are sitting and waiting, and this lack of something to do causes a lot of them to start making trouble, either with other members of the band or other bands entirely. There is nothing worse than having to listen to a bunch of 13 year olds whining, complaining, and causing fights while you are trying to pay attention to the other groups and/or listening to the tapes.

We used to have 6th through 12th in the band but because of these issues, we had slowly eliminated all but a select few middle schoolers from participating because of all of the problems it caused.