UVA band members marching toward more mental health awareness
CBS 19
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- When one thinks of student-athletes, one might picture football or basketball players. However, one group flies under the radar — essential to the biggest sporting events, yet they’re not classified as student-athletes.
"It's one of those things where when someone does appreciate you, it's like, 'Thanks a lot,' you know what I mean?" said Rohan Chowla, a drummer for the Cavalier Marching Band.
Chowla has been playing drums since the fifth grade. By the time he reached high school, joining the marching band was a no-brainer for him.
"The people that are there to watch us are mostly there for some other purpose, whether it's basketball or football, some other sporting event, and it's kind of secondary. So, like, if we're not making music for ourselves, there's really no point," said Chowla.
Hannah Martin, a section leader in the trumpet section, emphasizes the unique connection they create through their music. "It kind of brings music past a barrier. You can make it a lot more digestible by putting it on a field, because people are already there watching a football game."
Yet, being in marching band comes with its own set of challenges, including long hours and rigorous routines.
"So much of our job as leaders is actually beyond what our job description is. A lot of what I do as section leader is kind of managing those mental health conflicts that come to me," said Emily Mortman, a clarinet section leader in the Cavalier Marching Band. "I'm trying to do my part in bringing positive mental health resources to the section," she says.
Mark and Kym Hilinski, founders of Hilinski's Hope — a nonprofit focused on student athletes' mental health — recognize the pressures faced by marching band members.
"We have sadly met parents whose children were, you know, in a marching band and they lost that child to suicide, and we realized, like you just said, marching band — they are a team, right? They work hard, they practice. Sometimes they're out on the field before the football players even show up for practice," said Kym Hilinski.
In celebration of their fifth anniversary, Hilinski's Hope is expanding to support students in marching bands, showing their commitment to mental health beyond the field and reaching all students at every level.
