Credit for this chapter/argument against chapter two goes to Rylee Wyatt. Thanks for the support!
Why can't it be a sport AND an art? What's wrong with it being both? Should it being musically beautiful cancel out the physical and mental exertion? Why can Academic Decathlon or Mathletes be considered a sport when they are only mentally exhausting? It's ridiculous and narrow minded to think that music cannot be also a sport.
And how are dancing and cheer any different than that? They are musically driven (not produced, of course, but cheerleaders have to yell). Dancing is an art! But they are also considered a sport. An art is "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power." Beauty and emotional power. Is there any part of music that is not beautiful and emotional? However, agreeing it's an art is not the problem. The "sports" part of it is "an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment." Physical exertion. Ever try marching in 104 degree heat to the beat trying to remember your music and hold your instrument straight for 7 minutes? Skill. Already addressed that. Individual or team. We do both. Multiple times. With people watching us and judging us. Not just watching, listening as well. Competes against another or others. Marching contest. Concert contest. Judging panels. For entertainment. Art. It's as simple as that. It's an art.