Population-specific baselines

Baseline Testing in Marching Band

If you baseline the football team, baseline the band too.

April 16, 20263 min read

Band members face head injury risk from instrument impacts (sousaphone bells, drumsticks, cymbal edges), falls on stairs, risers, and bleachers, heat-related collapses during outdoor rehearsals, and collisions during dense marching formations.

Some school districts have begun including marching band members in their baseline testing programs alongside athletes. If your school tests football players, it should consider testing the band members performing alongside them on the same field in the same heat. See our district baseline program guide for implementation specifics.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

How do band members get concussed?

Instrument impacts (sousaphone bells, drumsticks, cymbal edges), falls on stairs, risers, and bleachers, heat-related collapses during outdoor rehearsals, and collisions during dense marching formations.

Are band concussions taken seriously?

Not universally. Some school districts have begun including marching band members in their baseline testing programs alongside athletes, but many haven't.

Should schools baseline band members?

Yes. If your school tests football players, it should consider testing the band members performing alongside them on the same field in the same heat.

Can Headquarters baseline band programs?

Yes. Our school district programs can include marching band members at the same rates as athletic programs.

Baselines for the band too.

Our school district programs can include marching band members at the same rates as athletic programs — because the risk is comparable.

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