Give marching-related gifts this season

Marching bands earned a place in history when the U.S. Postal Service issued a set of stamps titled Thanksgiving Day Parade. Several keepsakes are available, including a set of "First Day Covers" bearing the postmark of the date the stamps were issued (a great bargain at only $3.28).

Buy As Low As $3.28 At USPS.com >>

Related story on Marching.com: Postage stamp features marching band

The 88-minute documentary Throw It Down offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the reality of marching in a top-ranked drum and bugle corps. The film follows the 2006 season of the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps and presents themes that are universal to anyone involved in the marching activity.

Buy For $24.95 At Amazon >>

Related story on Marching.com: Throw It Down captures intensity of drum corps

There's a 100% chance that you'll connect with at least one of the 120 poems and stories in Band Nerds Poetry From The 13th Chair Trombone Player. The engaging book from DJ Corchin uses clever prose and perfectly matched illustrations from Dan Dougherty to celebrate the quirks of life in and around the band room.

Buy For $11.01 At Amazon >>

Related story on Marching.com: Poetry book delivers humorous observations of band life

The glossy Halftime Magazine has entered its third year of publication and is looking better than ever. The magazine is published six times per year and covers all facets of the marching activity, including high school, college, drum corps, winter guard, percussion, parade and field.

Buy For $14.95 At HalftimeMag.com >>

Related story on Marching.com: Halftime Magazine celebrates the spirit of marching band

Now available on DVD, From The 50 Yard Line won more than a dozen awards on the independent film circuit. The film follows the Centerville (Ohio) High School Band for an entire season and delivers an emotional, insightful look into the student marching band experience.

Buy For $19.99 At FromThe50YardLine.com >>

Related story on Marching.com: From The 50 Yard Line brings marching band to the movie screen

You can witness the stylistic evolution of the winter guard activity in the series of Flashback DVDs from WGI. Each DVD covers a single season, with Independent World seasons dating back as far as 1979.

Buy For $25.00 At WGI.org >>

Related photo gallery on Marching.com: 2009 WGI World Championships Photos

Author Courtney Brandt has developed a successful fiction series for young adults centered around life in a high school marching band. The Line and A Fine Line are available now, with Keeping In Line planned for release in 2010.

Buy For $12.55 At Amazon >>

Related story on Marching.com: The Line puts marching band front and center

The Drum Corps International online store offers one-stop shopping for official DCI merchandise as well as caps, t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts for about 20 different corps.

Buy For $18 to $40 At DCI.org >>

Related photo gallery on Marching.com: 2009 DCI World Championships Photos

Music For All is a strong advocate for school music programs (check out the Advocacy section of their website if your music program is struggling or facing elimination). Why not buy a few bracelets, magnets or window clings to show your mutual support?

Buy For $1 to $5 At MusicForAll.org >>

Drum corps pioneers had the foresight to capture these performances on tape years ago, and a new generation of drum corps leaders had the vision to make them available on CD and DVD today. Drum Corps World offers 162 historic CDs from 1950 to 1980 representing performances of 350 different junior and senior corps.

Buy As Low As $24 At DrumCorpsWorld.com >>

Now available in paperback, Patrick Henry Hughes' story is extraordinary. A congenital birth defect left him eyeless and wheelchair-bound, unable to walk or fully extend his arms. Yet, with assistance from his father who maneuvers his wheelchair, Patrick is able to perform in the University of Louisville marching band's field show. I Am Potential tells the story of the Hughes family's faith, courage and perseverance.

Buy For $11.96 At BooksAMillion.com >>

Related story on Marching.com: Father of Patrick Henry Hughes recognized for extraordinary support

Blast! is the thrilling stage show that played Broadway and continues to enjoy success as a touring production. The DVD does a great job capturing the magical energy of the show, and the productions of Bolero and Malaguena are among the best you'll find anywhere.

Buy For $17.99 At Amazon >>