Band – Written by Hank Arneson

Band is better compared to theater because it instills discipline, teamwork and lifelong skills while allowing the students to be creative at the same time. Theater is quite fun, but band challenges the students to help them develop as individuals and as a group as well.
First of all, I think that band is so unique because it is so much work. They not only have to practice as a class, but they also have to practice by themselves before coming to class, because if they don’t know what they are doing, it shows and messes up the band’s sound. Theater arts practice a great deal as well, but band is one of those classes that if someone blows it, everyone can hear it.
The band also uses the concept of teamwork. Each instrument counts, and each person has to hear the others so that the music goes well. Teamwork applies to theater, but oftentimes, only a small fraction of their participants see the show spotlight. In the case of the band, however, the stage lights are not on any particular person – they are shared equally by everyone.
The next is that being in a band is even better because the skill of playing music is one you can use your whole lifetime. You can play the music you like for the rest of your life. This is very different because theater skills will help you. However, you might not want to be the one acting like the star of the play.
In any case, theater has its uses, but believe it or not, band is better, since it instills discipline, cooperation, and confidence with all the realistic feelings included, and the best part is that the band students get to produce wonderful music together, with none of the other drama.

Theatre – Written by Payton Hehr

There is a wide diversity in the halls of Bismarck High School, some popular and some not so popular, some smart and some stupid, and some winners and some losers. Who’s the biggest loser, you ask? The band kids. Many students would disagree that theater kids are the bigger losers, but let me tell you why not. First of all, theater kids have a wide range of life skills that can be used in everyday practice of life. For example, theater kids are highly adaptable due to the constant switching of roles and emotions. They can think under pressure and become very flexible in their response to other emotions and situations, offering high emotional intelligence. They can also handle criticism better due to auditions and directors’ notes. Theater kids are also very great at collaboration. There isn’t a one-man show, and if there is, it wouldn’t look very good. We learn to adapt to each other and build off of one another to make an amazing experience for both the performers and audience.
Most theater kids are also great at problem-solving due to improvising on the stage. When something doesn’t happen the way it’s supposed to, kids’ brains make a switch and come up with the most efficient and creative way to fix it. According to research on arts education conducted by the American Journal of Arts, students who participate in theater develop stronger reading comprehension, verbal communication and critical thinking skills because they regularly analyze complex texts, memorize material and interpret characters. Theater kids learn to project their voice, use tone and hold the audience’s attention, the same persuasive skills used in leadership roles.

Second, performing in front of hundreds of people builds confidence like no other. Maybe band kids perform too, but it doesn’t give the same awe-struck confidence. After a show, something indescribable happens – ask any theater kid. You have spent months perfecting the role, and you finally get to show off yourself, the cool lights and projections, and the awesome sets. The stories told on stage often carry powerful themes that inspire change, create laughter, or provide comfort to stressed audiences. There may be people who claim they hate theater, but there is always at least one show they love. While band kids may be talented, theater kids develop adaptability, confidence, emotional intelligence, creativity and communication skills that extend far beyond the stage. These qualities prepare them not just for performances, but for life itself, making it clear who the real winners are.