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What Exactly is a “Band Geek”?
Everybody Geeks Out
The term band geek might inspire strange images to those not familiar with the music world. How strange? That depends on the musical entertainment you’ve been digesting and your definition of band.
Merriam-Webster defines band in the musical sense as “a group of musicians organized for ensemble playing.” The music style doesn’t matter — a band is a band.
M-W also defines geek as “an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity,” but you don’t have to be a techie to wear this label these days. All sorts of folks are captivated by various subjects and, over time, have achieved geek-like expertise.
Geek is not as derogatory as it once was. Traditionally describing the socially awkward, it now refers to passionate, knowledgeable people, no matter what the subject. Geeky topics have expanded beyond the traditional Sci-Fi, Dungeons & Dragons, or video games. Coffee geek, astronomy geek, film geek — it doesn’t matter.
Whether you’re enthusiastic about food, science, entertainment, or anything else, it’s all good because that passion helps define you and gives you something to strive for. As long as you don’t geek out over a harmful activity, you’re golden.
Similarly, band geeks unapologetically love band music. But this blog focuses on a particular type of band.
Concert band.
What’s Your Favorite Music Genre?
Fads come and go, but evolution is forever. Thanks to ever-changing tastes and technological innovation, music fans have enjoyed a plethora of different styles.
For instance, John Philip Sousa conducted “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band and later created “Sousa’s New Marine Band,” both of which topped the American entertainment scene from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. They toured the United States extensively and also enjoyed a handful of world tours. They were the groups to see.
But competition was on the horizon. Blues, ragtime, and eventually swing jazz brought W. C. Handy, Scott Joplin, and Louis Armstrong into the limelight, grabbing the…
