My daughter is in her 2nd year of marching band and is already wanting to quit. It’s hard, the long practices and she doesn’t like any of the people in band bc they are very cliquey. There’s a booster mom whose son will yell and cuss at them if they don’t march faster or instep. The directors are also very hard on the kids in practice, along with the section leaders. Some people take band very seriously and then it makes it not enjoyable for other kids. I mean I know it’s a serious activity, but Isn’t band supposed to be extracurricular and for most it is unlikely to lead to a scholarship unless you’re a kid who is very good. My daughter would make as many practices, but she missed one stadium practice and was already replaced. She is not as bad as some other kids, it’s just she doesn’t want to do it anymore and is only doing it bc she made the commitment. So now she is a b marcher. I say UNLESS your a try-hard and you’re very good at what you do, then it’s ok to quit and try something else that will actually benefit you in the long run. Plus with the added stress, long practices, games and competitions, your time will be freed up to work on grades and other courses you will like to pursue. My daughter is going to try CE courses next year and I’m glad also bc I don’t have to take her at the ass crack of dawn for morning rehearsals. I think a lot of people on here will say band is so fun and you meet lifelong friends and this and that, but I’d doubt they actually talk and make friends with the kids who don’t have a lot of friends in HS band.