Marching band shows are more than halftime entertainment or competition performances. They’re the heartbeat of a program — where students learn discipline, teamwork, and resilience in a way that carries far beyond the field.
As a former band director and current composer, I’ve seen firsthand that success in marching band isn’t only about musical ability or visual execution. It’s about building the right culture and mindset. Legendary football coach Nick Saban outlines what he calls the “5 Enemies of Greatness” — and every one of them applies directly to marching band shows.
In this article, we’ll explore these five enemies, unpack how they can sneak into your band room or rehearsal field, and give practical strategies to overcome them so your marching band shows reach their true potential.
1. Entitlement: Thinking Success Will Just Happen
Success in marching band shows never comes by accident. Yet entitlement often creeps in after a good run, a sweepstakes trophy, or a strong early performance.
- The Danger: Students start to believe that past success guarantees future rewards. They may think, “We worked hard last year, so we’ll be great again this year.” But entitlement robs the hunger and drive that fuel excellence.
- The Reality: Every show, every season, every rehearsal is a reset. Greatness must be earned daily.
Band Room Example:
You’ve just finished a strong Friday night performance. Students show up on Monday a little less focused, assuming the show will hold together. Instead, drill sets unravel, music feels sluggish, and confidence dips. That’s entitlement at work.
What Directors Can Do:
- Celebrate achievements, but quickly reset expectations.
- Reinforce that yesterday’s performance doesn’t win today’s contest.
- Highlight stories of bands who “rested on their laurels” and slipped quickly in competition.
👉 Key takeaway for marching band shows: Entitlement kills growth. Hunger and humility fuel it.
2. Lack of Discipline: Cutting Corners in the Small Things
Discipline is the backbone of every successful marching band. Without it, talent is wasted potential.
- The Danger: When students cut corners — arriving late, skipping reps, letting technique slide — the show suffers. The smallest lapses compound into bigger failures on the field.
- The Reality: Consistency matters more than occasional brilliance.
Band Room Example:
Your brass section nails a big hit in rehearsal but struggles with the fundamentals: posture, step size, or even horn angles. Without daily discipline, those flaws grow louder than the music itself.
What Directors Can Do:
- Establish non-negotiables: punctuality, correct step size, consistent sound quality.
- Praise students not just for “big wins” but for daily habits — the ones that make shows bulletproof.
- Remind students that judges see the details they overlook.
👉 Key takeaway for marching band shows: Greatness isn’t about doing things once at a high level — it’s about doing them every time, even when no one’s watching.
3. Circumstances Over Vision: Letting Excuses Win
Every marching band director has faced obstacles: bad weather, broken instruments, limited rehearsal time, student absences. The average band lets those circumstances dictate their effort. The best bands stick to their vision, no matter what.
- The Danger: Students give in to excuses: “We can’t practice outside today,” “It’s just too hot,” “We’re tired from last night’s game.” Excuses kill consistency.
- The Reality: Vision is what keeps a band locked in. Circumstances change — but the standard doesn’t.
Band Room Example:
Rain pushes rehearsal into a cafeteria. Instead of losing focus, the top programs pivot: they run sectionals, do body warmups inside, refine musical phrasing. The conditions shift, but the vision stays the same.
What Directors Can Do:
- Keep the standard clear: “We get better every day, no matter what.”
- Share stories of world-class groups (like DCI corps) who rehearse in parking lots, gyms, or even hallways when needed.
- Model positivity — if the director leans into excuses, so will the students.
👉 Key takeaway for marching band shows: Conditions don’t determine greatness. Vision does.
4. Self-Pity: Feeling Sorry for Yourself
Few things derail a season faster than self-pity. Students (and sometimes directors) get stuck in the trap of comparing themselves to stronger programs or dwelling on setbacks.
- The Danger: Self-pity drains resilience. Instead of finding solutions, students spiral into negativity.
- The Reality: Everyone faces adversity — the difference is whether you move forward or sit in the mud.
Band Room Example:
Your band receives tough feedback at a contest. Instead of using it as fuel, some students mope, saying, “We’ll never be as good as [insert rival school].” This mindset makes improvement almost impossible.
What Directors Can Do:
- Reinforce that setbacks are part of growth.
- Teach students to own mistakes, not wallow in them.
- Frame challenges as opportunities: “This critique shows us exactly where to improve.”
👉 Key takeaway for marching band shows: Self-pity stalls progress. Resilience accelerates it.
5. Complacency: Believing You’ve Arrived
The moment a band believes it has “arrived,” decline begins.
- The Danger: Students (or directors) ease up after achieving early goals — a high score at a regional, a clean run-through at practice. Complacency turns champions into ex-champions.
- The Reality: Staying great requires more hunger and humility than getting great in the first place.
Band Room Example:
Your percussion section nails their feature midseason. Spirits soar. But in the next few rehearsals, their focus slips. Suddenly, that once-stellar moment starts falling apart by October.
What Directors Can Do:
- Keep raising the bar, even when things feel solid.
- Remind students that competitors are always improving.
- Instill the mindset: “Good enough” is never good enough.”
👉 Key takeaway for marching band shows: Complacency creates decline. Hunger creates legacy.
Bringing It All Together
Marching band shows thrive when directors and students guard against these five enemies:
- Entitlement — thinking success is automatic.
- Lack of discipline — ignoring the small details.
- Circumstances over vision — letting excuses dictate effort.
- Self-pity — feeling sorry instead of moving forward.
- Complacency — believing you’ve already arrived.
Greatness in marching band isn’t reserved for the most talented groups. It belongs to those who show up every day with hunger, humility, and discipline.
If you want your marching band shows to truly inspire — whether on the football field, at a BOA regional, or in your own community — it starts with culture. Build a program that refuses to let these enemies in, and your students will carry those lessons far beyond the season.
What’s Next?
Looking to strengthen your program?
- Explore my Marching Band Shows — proven productions tailored for success.
- Check out Build Your Show to customize the perfect fit for your band.
- Dive into our blog on Marching Band Fundamentals to see how daily habits fuel long-term success.
Your students deserve a show — and a season — that teaches them how to chase greatness the right way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marching Band Shows
What makes marching band shows successful?
Successful marching band shows combine strong musical performance, precise visual design, and consistent rehearsal discipline. Programs that maintain clear goals, avoid entitlement, and focus on daily improvement create shows that inspire both audiences and judges.
How do you keep students motivated in marching band?
Students stay motivated in marching band when directors set high standards, celebrate progress, and connect each rehearsal to the bigger vision of the show. Clear communication, accountability, and building a culture of discipline help students push through challenges.
Why do some marching band shows fall short?
Marching band shows often fall short when groups struggle with discipline, allow excuses to dictate effort, or become complacent after early success. Maintaining hunger, humility, and consistency prevents a show from plateauing.
How can directors improve their marching band shows mid-season?
Directors can improve marching band shows mid-season by refining fundamentals, addressing detailed feedback from judges, and re-centering students on discipline. Shifting focus from “big moments” to small daily habits often produces the most growth.
What’s the biggest lesson students learn from marching band shows?
Students learn that greatness requires resilience, humility, and consistency. The habits built on the rehearsal field — discipline, teamwork, and perseverance — stay with them long after the season ends.
About the Author
Evan VanDoren is a composer, arranger, and former high-school band director who helps music programs bring world-class marching band shows to life. Through VanDoren Music, he creates custom and pre-commissioned shows designed to help directors lead, teach, and inspire with confidence. Learn more at EvanVanDoren.com.
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