Welcome to Gaia! ::

ok.. what has helped me is to try to find your own rythm... sounds kinda duh.. but just dont concentrait on it so much. and while standing at attention DONT LOCK YOUR KNEES other wise.. youll pass out... and drink lots and lots of water...!! yes.. water is your best friend! took me a while to find out for my fish year!

When you're first learning to marhc (I don't know if your band does roll-stepping or something else, but that's what we do), it's really important that the top half of your body doesn't bob up and down as you march. Pick a point off in the distance that is eye level with your eyes when you're at attention, and just STARE at it. Trust me, it'll help.

Also for marching technique: if you guys roll-step, think of your feet as a tube of toothpaste: you want to get everything out from the back to the front.

For being on-step: just subdivide. When your knees bend, those are the upbeats. And for being on the right foot, in 4/4 and 2/4 time, the odd beats are left, and the evens are right.

Hmmm let's see, what other words of wisdom... lots and lots of water. I go through a gallon jug every day during band camp. Don't think of it as a pain in the rear end; band camp will pass, and once you actually know the music and the drill and you just do fine tuning, it's much better.

Good luck, and have a great time marching!

~a soon-to-be four-year vet of marching band, and flute section leader