More Than Just the Notes: Assessing Difficulty in Marching Band Shows

Choosing the right marching band music is one of the most important decisions a director makes each fall. However, it is not just about finding great-sounding charts—it is about understanding the real difficulty of a show and how that challenge plays out across your students’ experience. The right music fits your ensemble musically, physically, and emotionally. It energizes students, supports retention, and inspires growth.

Assessing musical difficulty for a marching band goes beyond checking a publisher’s grade level. It means thinking critically about how your students will play the music while moving, under pressure, and in all outdoor conditions. If the show is too hard, students may burn out. If it is too easy, they may disengage. The key is finding music that challenges them just enough, allowing them to develop confidence, achieve success, and shine throughout the season.

Here are 10 key factors to consider when assessing the difficulty of a marching band show:

1. Music + Movement = Total Demand

Difficulty is never only in the notes. A technically simple piece can become very challenging when paired with demanding drill. Big step sizes, quick transitions, layered visuals, and high-energy choreography can wear students down quickly. Evaluate how the musical and visual demands combine—because students must handle both simultaneously.

2. Instrumentation: Match the Music to Your Ensemble

Look at your current sections, not what you wish you had. If you are light on low brass, avoid music that leans on those voices for power. If your percussion is still developing basic technique, carefully consider exposed, complex parts. Adapt the show to what your students can execute confidently.

3. Endurance and Range

Playing outside while moving requires stamina. Students will fatigue quickly if your brass section holds high notes for extended periods or your percussion works nonstop without recovery time. Assess how demanding each part is throughout the show—look for pacing, built-in rests, and range consistency.

4. Rhythmic Clarity and Playability

Even if your students can play complex rhythms indoors, doing so cleanly while marching is an entirely different challenge. Choose music that aligns with their current rhythmic skill level and be realistic about how much time you need to clean it. Clarity on the field is essential to the overall effect.

5. Outdoor Performance Conditions

Marching band performances mainly occur outside. Temperature swings, wind, uneven fields, and unpredictable weather affect playability. Cold air makes upper brass parts more difficult; electronics can 

malfunction in heat, cold, or rain. Consider when and where your significant final performances will occur and plan for real-world performance conditions, not ideal ones.

6. Tempo vs. Drill Coordination

Fast tempos are exciting but challenging to execute with intricate drills. If students sprint across the field while playing complex music, the result may not come together cleanly. Evaluate how tempo and drill interact and ask: Can my students execute both without sacrificing quality?

7. Layering and Effects

It is tempting to include every modern enhancement—electronics, props, body movement, narration—but too many layers can overwhelm your students and staff. Overall performance will suffer if you do not have the time or personnel to clean and support those layers. Use effects with intention and purpose.

8. Student Readiness and Experience

Your show must meet students where they currently are. Modeling your program after a top-tier drum corps or a high-scoring ensemble may not be realistic. Be honest about your ensemble’s strengths and weaknesses and choose music that will stretch their abilities without pushing them too far. Real growth happens in the challenge zone, not the panic zone.

9. Electronics and Sound Design

Electronic enhancements can elevate a show, but they also come with risks. If your sound system is unreliable or you do not have a trained technical team, synthesizers, pre-recorded tracks, or sound effects may create more stress than benefit. Evaluate whether your current infrastructure can support what the music demands.

10. Evaluate the Entire Package

Difficulty does not live only in the music. Look at the drill, choreography, visual design, and show pacing. Think about your rehearsal schedule, the size of your instructional team, and the timeline for cleaning and refining. Ask yourself: Does this show align with our current capacity and goals?

Final Thought
Assessing difficulty is about more than avoiding failure—it is about creating the conditions for success. A strong show challenges your students appropriately, builds their confidence and allows them to fall in love with performing. When you choose music that fits, the outcome will speak for itself.

MarkLortz.com