Band geek
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term "band geek" refers to a division of high school and college subculture, primarily in the United States, which involves the students who are heavily involved in marching bands and concert band.
Band geek culture develops around the students' schedule of rehearsals, performances, and competitions. Also, band geeks can participate in other groups, such as jazz band, winter drumline, and winterguard. Additionally, due to the amount of time spent together, members of color guard have also been subsumed into the "band geek" group, although more specific terms, such as "flag nerd" or "saber geek" also exist. The term Band Nerd, which was at one time correct, can be used as a thing to enrage and/or egg on said "band geeks"
"Band geek" can also be used as a blanket term for any student in middle or high school who plays an instrument and that are in band class with friends in band, including students in the orchestra, or even those who play an instrument outside of school (assuming it's an instrument typically found in a concert band or orchestra). However, the number of school strings programs have increased over the past few decades, allowing new members to join.
A common characteristic of a band geek is their admiration of their directors, also shared by band geeks at other schools.
While string players aren't technically band geeks, have their own group, often referred to as the dorchestra. While this is not politically correct, many people still use it. Another term that may be used is "Orch Dork", which is somewhat comprable to Band Geek.
Contents |
[edit] Misconceptions
While a great deal of band students tend to be, not all students who participate in band are band geeks. The term "Band Geek" is generally reserved to denote a member of a band that is particularly involved in the said band. Generally this entails usually, but not always, having been in the band for a fairly large amount of time (usually more than one year). It may also reference anyone who exclusively or primarily relates to other members of the band programs avalable. Additionally, it may also refer to exceptionally avid students who are involved in multiple band programs.
[edit] Band geeks in popular culture
[edit] Spongebob Squarepants
On an episode of Spongebob Squarepants titled "Band Geeks", Spongebob and his crew are animated performing a song written by David Eisley and Bob Kulick. The song, entitled Sweet Victory, is a mix between classical rock and a power ballad, incorporating heavy use of electric guitar, electronic keyboard, and drums and minor use of bass guitar. The characters are drawn wearing traditional band uniforms, with high brimmed hats and tassles. The song has received a decent amount of praise from Spongebob fans, warranting enough popularity for copies of the clip to spring up in various places on the Internet. It is up to date the most popular episode of the cartoon.
[edit] American Pie
The 1999 movie American Pie popularized band geeks and band camp with the catch-phrase delivered by Alyson Hannigan: "This one time, at band camp...".
[edit] Drumline
The 2002 movie Drumline showed a different marching style known as high-stepping. While this is not the norm for all high school and college bands, many adopted it after the movie's release. Bands who use this style are commonly referred to as "show bands", as opposed to "competition bands". Drumline also showed some of the stereotypes in marching band including the egotism and competition between the sections and certainly other bands. Conversely, Drumline has also led to a resurgence of interest in marching band culture and left its imprint on the young musicians themselves. Also, interest in marching band as an athletic activity has led to increased pressure to show drum corps competitions on ESPN.
The 1999 Broadway premiere Blast! was "Born on athletic fields across the nation, steeped in the tradition of military and outdoor pageantry, drum corps, bands, and color guards have a long history in America. Often rehearsing twelve hours a day through heat, cold, dust and rain, they create thrilling performances where athleticism, musical talent, kaleidoscopic movement, and showmanship merge into an art form that is both competitive and entertaining".[1] It is a field show with theatrical flair and Drum Corps influences. As of 2002 production on the next show, Shockwave, has begun. Blast! is a visual and auditory experience of bands that results from hours and hours of practices, performances and fans.
 |
This article on a band or other musical ensemble is a stub. You can help by expanding it. |
