Old Kids In The Block

Participating in the marching arts is not just for the young but can also be for the young at heart. Even if you go away from the activity, you might find yourself being easily welcomed back.

- Elizabeth Geli

As members of the University of New Mexico Spirit Marching Band gathered around the ladder on the eve of their first trip away from Albuquerque, the director offhandedly made a common reference to remind the band about appropriate travel behavior: “Remember, your mother’s not coming on this trip!”

In an instant, every head in the band turned to look at 18-year-old freshman trumpet player Rebekah Gingras because actually her mother was coming on the trip … as a fellow band member.

Certain circuits, schools, or competitions may have restrictions, but marching musicianship as a whole has no age limit. Whether it’s through an all-age group or a non-traditional-aged college student joining the band, older marchers are having the time of their lives while surrounded by bandmates many years younger.

THE RIGHT STUFF

At the seasoned age of 45, Ticia Gingras decided to go back to school and pursue a degree in music education. Although the department offered to waive her marching band participation requirement, she had no intention of letting the opportunity pass her by.

“I said ‘Are you kidding me? I want to do this!’” Gingras says. “Who gets a chance to do marching band twice in their lifetime at the university?”

That same year, her daughter Rebekah started her freshman year and joined the band as well. Besides the occasional awkward moment, there were no problems with the mother-daughter marching experience. In fact Ticia, who marched in high school and college her first time around, ended up loving it more than Rebekah, who had never marched before and decided to pursue soccer after one year.

“For me it was marching band by 100% choice,” Gingras says. “I loved it, and frankly I think I had more energy than some of my 18- to 22-year-old colleagues in the band.”