I understand that a reason flute teachers hesitate from encouraging their students to join marching band is that the student’s playing stance is improper. Teachers want their students to prepare correctly from an early age, adhering to proper technique. In particular, the flute, held parallel to the ground is unnatural as is the strained posture of head and feet facing north with arms pointing east (pulled to the right 90 degrees). Some marching flutists can be asked to pivot at the waist with their heads facing north, feet facing and walking west and arms staying due east. This stance is closer to contortionism than proper posture for breathing, moving and playing, and should be avoided (correct posture for the concert flutist is having the
