We’ve all seen it: that almost “cool-in-his-own-way” kid, wearing somewhat clashing colors and basically three different styles simultaneously. You just caught Marvin and his best friend humming—performing—enthusiastically (hand movements and all) the ending of their current concert band piece. When they finish, they automatically start talking about some random, unrelated topic until the conversation inevitably turns back to band nerd jargon. Music is always on their minds.
Every day, Marvin wakes up and thinks about music. He knows all the technicalities, which is what makes him a nerd. He knows all the history, all the eras, all the composers, and all the styles. In fact, he is on his way to hours of music theory classes right now. However, he cannot wait for the classes to be over—not because he hates them, but because he likes something else more—playing. He cannot wait for 3’o’clock band to roll around, or rather, he cannot wait to get out of band practice so he can stroll down the hallway jamming out on his trumpet. Yet again, he will be on his way back to his dorm room to lock himself up for endless hours of practice. Practice for scales (face it—he needs to have that F sharp harmonic minor scale perfect for his private lesson this week), and etudes for technique and concert band music (a given, but not all that interesting), but most importantly—practice for that new random, useless, extremely fast, extremely ridiculous “piece” that he watched some other nerd play on YouTube yesterday.
So, what is it that motivates this young nerd to be a band nerd? Primarily and most obviously, the love of music brings all band nerds together. Whether it is classical or contemporary style, or any instrument ranging from the viola to snare drum, music is the biggest commonality among this subculture. Music is expressive and mind-freeing, and all the band nerds understand that. And, since, to be a true band nerd, you technically need to be somewhat good at the instrument you play, these kids know music. They live and breathe music. It is more than second nature to them. It is their lives—what makes them tick.
(DCI Allentown Show – Aug 7, 2010)
Secondly, lots of band nerds are members of the subculture because they love the performance aspect. They get to show off their musical skills to anyone who is willing to watch and listen. They practice for hours on end, and work as hard as they possibly can to reach perfection. If they are lucky like I was, band nerds get to be part of a bigger band with more money, where they are presented with opportunities to perform in front of thousands of people in spirited competitions or concerts. For example, my alma mater, Van Buren High School joined in on marching competitions in Oklahoma and Texas. There, thousands of fans of all the different bands competing camped out all day to hear the magic of the bands. The competition was tough and all the band members worked their butts off to get to the top. The adrenaline and the accomplishment of such a task is an amazing feeling, and band nerds eat it up. However, if thousands are at home and it is just the home crowd at tonight’s concert or football game, that is alright, too. No matter how many people are in the audience, the show must go on!
(Courtesy of cafepress.com) (Courtesy of Sandra Giles) (Courtesy of cafepress.com)
Another major factor that holds the subgroup of band nerds together is that every individual can be himself. Although most band nerds are somewhat geeky, there are many types of band nerds. There are the jokesters, the serious ones, the sweet ones, the quiet and shy ones, the suck-ups, the flirts, and so on. In any one gathering of band nerds, you could find all of these types conversing and getting along. This is the case because band nerds make up more than just a silly clique. Band nerds, once together for a little while, form a family. No matter what disagreements come between them, when it comes down to it, band nerds stick up for one another and form an effective, cohesive team (most of the time, anyway). It does not matter what they wear—there could be one kid in long white socks and sandals and in the next row back one is wearing Dolce and Gabbana (although most of them are in jeans and a band-related t-shirt). The point is they do not care what each other wear. They know that there are more important things to focus on (namely, music and how well you can play).
(All three photos courtesy of Anastasia Hull)
Now, band nerds generally gather together, just like any other subgroup. If possible, they hang out in the nearest band room. They line the walls or stand in little circles all over the place. They play games or do homework or just jam out until the director yells at them to stop playing. At my college, UAFS, the Breedlove building is the place to be for music majors. Any time of the day, you can find band nerds swarming the hallways of Breedlove, either on their way to practice, coming from practice, or hanging out thinking about practicing. In any high school, the band nerds hang out in the band room. Before school, after school, and sometimes even during other classes, there are bound to be band nerds near the band room. They are like moths to the light—band nerds love the band room, since that’s a place designated specifically for them! If they are not in the band room, you can find band nerds wherever there is an instrument, or another band nerd. Chances are if you can find one band nerd, you will find another.
One may wonder if there is any initiation process in becoming a band nerd. Well, the biggest requirement is that you actually have to be in band. If you are not in band, you will never be a band nerd. Once you are in band, however, the whole process of becoming a band nerd is natural. It will happen on its own if you love music very much at all.
As far as hierarchy goes, there is no set pattern of authority. Basically, though, the best musicians are at the top of the food chain. The best and, often times, most popular band nerds hold respect from their peers and from their band directors. Males and females have the same opportunity to be successful. They all just have to practice, practice, practice!! However, girls who play more “masculine” instruments, such as percussion instruments or trombone, normally seem to get a little more respect among their peers. On the contrary, guys who play more “feminine” instruments, such as the flute or clarinet, often get teased, whether harshly or just in fun. Band nerds do not really care if they get made fun of, though, so the teasing is just part of the trade.
(Courtesy of Anastasia Hull)
Most band nerds fit this general mold of what makes them part of the subgroup. However, part of being a band nerd is the aspect of not fitting into a readymade mold. Band nerds take hold of the freedom of individuality and expression. They take pride in not having to worry about what brands and styles of clothes they wear. My percussion friend Brian may wear cargo shorts and a comfy t-shirt one day and a classy sweater vest the next. Band nerds don’t have to listen to any one specific genre of music. After all, most band nerds take pride in knowing, in depth, many genres. A fellow band nerd, Carter, listens to an array of music, ranging from Frank Sinatra to the Beetles to Lady Gaga. He can tell you all about most of them, including full backgrounds of the time period, band members, and individual songs. Band nerds can have all types of friends because they don’t just fit into one category. Sarah, yet another band nerd, was friends with athletes, some of the preps, the braniacs, and of course other band nerds in her high school. Band nerds get to be whoever they want to be.
See, for band nerds, it is more than just being a part of a group to be a part of a group. Although sometimes it starts out as a simple need to belong, they do not stick around just for the membership. It’s not just fitting into a little box labeled “Band Nerds.” It is just who they are, and that is enough for them.
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