When I was in high school band, it didn’t feel like this. It felt like you were trying your best to become a part of the bigger sound. You really don’t want to stand out or “express yourself” as much because it was about the song, not the players at that point. Whenever I was corrected or told I needed to practice a section, it came across as duty more than personal reflection.

I also did marching band and the same rules apply. You want to blend in with the field. No one player really gets a spotlight of their own.