I just found out that if you have indicated anywhere on your application that you have played an instrument that you are automatically put in band. My son did band through 11th grade (never marching band), and definitely did not plan to continue his instrument. Will he be forced to play it for 4 years? I understand that this is not a college, it is a service academy and you have to do many things you may not want to do, but this seems unusual. Will this prevent participation in other opportunities where he actually has interest and talent?
Tell me about Band Company
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acpacesetter
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You are not forced to be in the band if you don't want.
just don’t tell anyone you play an instrument when you get there. If you are placed in band company for Indoc you may be given a form to fill out regarding what instruments you play. Just leave that blank. There will be others in the company that don’t play an instrument either. If you are forced to practice with the band, talk to the band director as soon as indoc is over and tell him that you don’t want to participate. He will try to get you to stay and may threaten you, but in the end he can’t really force you to stay if you quit.
NeverSayNever
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Some folks that love playing and love doing late night practices love being in Band and BandCo.
You can’t quit band.
BandCo generally has very high academic and inspection scores and the lowest PT scores in the Regiment.
Band actually gets to do some cool stuff supporting the academy and regiment.
Non band people sometimes end up in BandCo anyway.
You can’t quit band.
BandCo generally has very high academic and inspection scores and the lowest PT scores in the Regiment.
Band actually gets to do some cool stuff supporting the academy and regiment.
Non band people sometimes end up in BandCo anyway.
Band Co gets a bad rap in my opinion. One of my kids was in Band Co and one was not. The one who was not is pretty merciless with his Band Co sister. Everyone teases and mocks Band Co mids which just makes Band Co the tightest Co in the regiment. Being voluntold you are going to be in Band Co varies from year to year depending on how many plebes actually want to be there. If you don't play an instrument, they may just hand you a pair of cymbals. One of my DD's favorite KP memories is travelling to Washington, D.C., where she got to play a solo with the Navy Band. There is a big time commitment practicing for Beat Retreat for Parents Weekend. After that, it is not much at all. My DD still managed to compete on the Offshore Sailing Team and was a diver as well as leading the yoga and ballroom dance clubs, filling in on the trap and skeet team and drill team when needed, and starting the cheer team. She also worked at least one weekend per month after plebe year to earn extra spending money and tutored many fellow plebes and mids. Do not worry about Band Co interfering with your other activities if you have good time management skills. You will have no shortage of tutoring help in Band Co and you may earn extra liberty when you win Command Inspections.
My DS completed the form and said he didn't want to be in band Co. He was insistent on this. I Remember on drop off day of indoc, I picked up my parent folder at the tent (after my DS) went inside the building to start Indoc. Right on my folder it told me he was in Band co. I asked about it and said, no this isn't right, he said he didn't want band company. I was pretty much told, that sucks, too bad for him. I was sad for him. But honestly, it's turned out well and probably to his benefit.
To be fair, his high school transcripts said he was in the marching band in 9th grade, only 9th grade. He did it one year and knew it wasn't his thing. So I'm assuming that is why he was placed in band co. At KP, plebe year, he played the bass drum. After plebe year he passed his instrument to a new plebe and he helps the band in other ways (no longer playing an instrument).
The great thing about band company is the bonds they make with others in the company. I personally think that band co has the strongest relationships because they don't switch companies in 4 years. Often, they get to choose their roommate and it can be the same roommate all four years. Makes it a little easier to live with someone you like.
They will ask during indoc if anyone wants to switch in or out of band co. Those who want in get in. Those who want out, is questionable on the amount of those who want in (that didn't get assigned originally).
It really does work out in the end and they do adjust. Playing an instrument as a plebe just adds to the suck of plebe year (if you didn't want to be in band), but the rewards from being in band is so helpful to the success at school because of the relationships they have. It will all be okay on the end.
To be fair, his high school transcripts said he was in the marching band in 9th grade, only 9th grade. He did it one year and knew it wasn't his thing. So I'm assuming that is why he was placed in band co. At KP, plebe year, he played the bass drum. After plebe year he passed his instrument to a new plebe and he helps the band in other ways (no longer playing an instrument).
The great thing about band company is the bonds they make with others in the company. I personally think that band co has the strongest relationships because they don't switch companies in 4 years. Often, they get to choose their roommate and it can be the same roommate all four years. Makes it a little easier to live with someone you like.
They will ask during indoc if anyone wants to switch in or out of band co. Those who want in get in. Those who want out, is questionable on the amount of those who want in (that didn't get assigned originally).
It really does work out in the end and they do adjust. Playing an instrument as a plebe just adds to the suck of plebe year (if you didn't want to be in band), but the rewards from being in band is so helpful to the success at school because of the relationships they have. It will all be okay on the end.
Elfundamental
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This is what the majority of people have said but I've also heard that you get automatically placed based on your application (i.e. saying you played an instrument). Can someone clarify this? I stated on my application that I played drums but this never involved band or an official school organization, strictly through an afterschool club in 11th & 12th grade that raised money for charity.
I am an incoming plebe and would respectfully prefer not to be forced into playing an instrument my plebe year. This was not something that I was informed of in the application process. Last I checked, band was an extracurricular activity, the same as a sport or a club.
I would hope most people here agree with me as I don't see how forcing students to play an instrument is conducive to success other than forcing kids to "embrace the suck" which is already present in most things at USMMA and service academies in general. Just like NY1234 said, I would much prefer to use my time to succeed academically and make my own choices for the programs I am apart of. Nobody is forced onto a sports team or into a club. You self-elect to join or tryout for those. Band should be no different.
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Yo
You may be in for a rude awakening. At KP, as at any service academy, you are required to give up some of your free will in ways you cannot yet imagine. Being forced to be in Band Co. Is minor compared to being forced to muster for lunch when you aren't hungry and are trying to study for a test. Or being required to square your corners all day for no good reason. Or holding your backpack at your side in your left hand. Or being able to recite the day's menu anytime an upperclassman asks you. I could go on and on. Plebe year is full of time-sucking BS which you don't want to do. Your "choices" are limited mostly to how you choose to accept the things you cannot change. If you fight all these things you will not survive plebe year.
"I would much prefer to use my time to succeed academically"....it might be helpful to do some research on the GPA of band company students vs other companies. As others have mentioned, band company has pretty solid GPA's and are the ones who usually end up being tutors (sometimes getting paid). My DS, who was TOLD he was in Band Company (not his choice) is in the top 10% of his class with his GPA. DS did not start at the academy with the top 10% GPA or SAT scores from high school. If you are really wanting to have academic success than band company might just be the perfect place for you! You'll have amazing academic support for the upperclassmen in the company (and amazing friendships). You will not know what company you are in until you walk through the doors at Indoc. Noone gets a choice on the company they are assigned.
My advice, look at this amazing opportunity you have to get in an amazing academy that you worked so hard for. Embrace every door that opens because your take on every situation in life can either make a positive or negative outcome. Welcome to KP. Be positive and enjoy the wild ride you are about to take!
BlackoutKP
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Nothing at KP is "Conducive to success". Buckle up.
Boymomof3
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As a parent of a now 4/C, who so far has come through plebe year ok (knocking on wood), if the worst thing that happened to you Plebe year is Band Co, then consider yourself lucky. This should be the least of your worries. Academics are beyond hard there and if a student has an opportunity to be in a Company where Academics is a priority that’s a good trade off.
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Some people will end up in Band Co even if they have never seen an instrument in their lives for the simple reason of keeping the size of the companies balanced.
Some of them just lived in the building and were part of "Band Co." without being "in the Band"
Some were drafted/voluntold/begrudgingly agreed to march and "play" air drums.
Band Co is the company the rest of the companies love to tease and make fun of. It is not always deserved but sometimes it is.
If you end up in Band against your will ... bloom where you are planted ... this is life advice not just KP advice.
Some of them just lived in the building and were part of "Band Co." without being "in the Band"
Some were drafted/voluntold/begrudgingly agreed to march and "play" air drums.
Band Co is the company the rest of the companies love to tease and make fun of. It is not always deserved but sometimes it is.
If you end up in Band against your will ... bloom where you are planted ... this is life advice not just KP advice.
This is not true. you can quit band
BigGreen2000
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Our D.S., who was waitlisted months ago, just received an email last week from the band director. Essentially, it said "we may still have a spot open, are you interested?" Of course, our D.S. replied "yes!" and their answer was: "we'll run it up the chain of command." He plays an instrument that is not common, and hence might be of use to the academy
That's so exciting! Fingers crossed for your DS.
Oh, the irony. He's going to do great there! He is set up for amazing academic support and very tight friendships, if be is able to embrace it.
My Mid has several good friends in Band Co. He's more likely to succeed according to my Mid!