The Middle Tennessee State University’s Contest of Champions (CoC) is an annual marching band competition that draws participants from all over the United States. While the focus of this event is on music and marching, it also has a unique connection with theater that cannot be ignored. This connection is due to the fact that both require hard work, dedication and unwavering commitment to achieve success.
Theater and marching bands have similar requirements when it comes to building a cohesive and effective performance. Both require a high degree of precision, timing, and execution to produce a successful show. In marching bands, each musician must play their part precisely in tune and time, while also being in step with the rest of the band. Similarly, in theaters, actors must not only know their lines but also master their gestures, movement, facial expressions, voice modulation, and stage positions.
Both genres also contain an element of showmanship. The objective of any theater production is to entertain the audience by bringing them into the story through the performances; similarly, the CoC aims to thrill and engage audiences through the combined effect of music and visual spectacle. Whether in a theater or a marching band, performers must also possess charisma, stage presence, energy and enthusiasm to capture the attention of viewers.
Moreover, both theater and marching bands require individual and collective effort. A successful theatrical performance relies on each actor working hard to perform their role perfectly, while still respecting the overall vision of the director. Similarly, in a marching band, every member plays a vital part in the overall performance, and one weak link can negatively affect the entire performance.
Finally, theater and marching bands foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Castmates, actors and musicians must rely on each other to produce the kind of results that lead to success. Theater productions are typically comprised of diverse casts and crews who build bonds that extend beyond the confines of the theater space. Likewise, the CoC presents the perfect opportunity for marching bands to engage with and learn from other groups, build friendships, and experience different styles and music.
In conclusion, theater and marching bands share many parallels as performance-based genres. The Middle Tennessee State University's Contest of Champions is an event that embodies this relationship by bringing people together to celebrate a shared love of music, masquerading, and entertainment. Whether it's through acting or performing music, these disciplines require hard work, dedication, and teamwork to succeed, and the MTSU Contest of Champions demonstrates the best of what both theatre and marching bands have to offer.