Confession time: I love a marching band.

There's just something about the marching in step, the sound, the pageantry...I love it. Of course, this could have something to do with the fact that I spent many years in band in high school and college.

If you've never been in a marching band, you have no idea the amount of work it takes to pull off a halftime show. It's multitasking at its finest - playing the right notes (in tune), marching in step (surprisingly hard for some folks), and getting in (sometimes complicated) formation on time. Oh, and you're watching the drum major during all of this, too.

These students often start practice before the football team does for the school year. Summer camps are the norm where band members march for hours, working on small parts of the routine to get it "just right". Learning the music is also a must, too, with more hours spent on getting the notes and percussion just right.

The color guard makes twirling a flag or rifle easy, but don't let them fool you: It's not easy for everyone. The good ones just make it LOOK that way.

And the parents of these kids shouldn't be forgotten, either. The constant shuttling back and forth to and from practices and competitions can't be understated, and that's not even counting how much money intstruments (and sometimes private lessons) cost. As with any other extra-curricular activity, it would be really hard to rise to the top of your game without parental support.

We have a chance to see some of the most talented representatives of Mid-South student achievement at the Liberty Bowl tomorrow. The Bandmasters Championship is sponsored by the University of Memphis Band Alumni Chapter and is a great opportunity to enjoy the hard work of these students.

Get more information and the band lineup here.