Yes, students do spend a lot of time in rehearsal. Summer band usually starts the first week of August, though some instruments will have sectionals or summer camps earlier in the summer. The first football game of the season is usually the first week of school, so the band needs to have a half time show and stand tunes ready BEFORE the first week of school. Students need to have time to rehearse the show, adjust to playing their instrument in ‘marching style’ rather than ‘concert style’ and to have time to come together as a band. But think about it this way, your student spends a LOT of time with other band students and a LOT of time at the school. So before the first day of classes, your student has already made 300 friends and has become very familiar with the layout of the school – or at least the band hall, cafeteria, rehearsal fields, restrooms, choir rooms, practice rooms.
Students receive a fine arts credit AND PE waiver for marching band. Colleges LOVE to see band listed on student transcripts – it shows dedication and commitment– and there are MANY chances to excel at a personal level (region/area band and orchestra, solo and ensemble) and to show leadership (officers, section leaders, uniform crew, loading crue, librarians, drum majors) in band. Students not only learn how to play their instrument, and how to perform in front of an audience, but they learn responsibility, time management, leadership skills, team building. Band teaches students to look out for others, and to do their fair share, and gives them a sense of camaraderie and community.
Rehearsal times ‘normalize’ during the school year. UIL mandates that for any given extracurricular activity, students are limited to no more than eight (8) hours of practice and rehearsal outside the school day per school week per activity. Our band directors are adamant about this rule. Study time is often given during band classes so students can stay current on homework.