Poems

After we performed, I got into the poetic mood.  I'm not a really good poet, but here's a couplet I wrote.

Marching Band

Leave behind the days of sweat,

Do your show with no regrets.

It isn't finished, but it's a good start.

My friend is a better poet than I am, so here's what she wrote:

Leave behind the days of sweat, 

To come on, oh sweet success.

We pray not for thine first place nay,

but thank God for the beautiful days.

And when it's over, but not forgot,

We think back to the days we sought.

And Lord we pray for next year's chance

To prove ourselves better

of our marching band's dance.

The Last Official 2010 football Game

Last night was our last football game.  How sad.  We got creamed, the other school beat us by thirty points.  I'm feeling various things right now.  I'm sad, since marching band is completely over now: we don't have anything left.  I'm bummed, since I've gotten to know some of the upperclassmen, and I'll never see them, except in band or the hallways.  I'm also really glad it's over.  Now, I don't have to worry about schedule conflicts.  If we won this game, we would have to travel some where else, and get home really late.  I have districts for flute, and I have to get up at 4:50 to be at the school by six.

As one kid in my grade said,"Don't get too sad, there's always next year."

Too Many Stories To Tell

Yesterday night was recognition night.  We took pictures, looked at this professional photographer's photos of us, and could buy them if we wanted any.  There was food, a display with all of our awards, and posters of the sections and the seniors.

After milling around and socializing for about forty five minutes, the directors and our announcer (my drill section leader's dad) talked about how the season went.  They said that there are stories to tell of each of us, like this one girl who moved in from Kansas, and joined marching band the day before band camp.  They thanked all of the lesser thanked people, like the truck drivers.  Gifts and awards were handed out.  The freshmen didn't get anything tangible for their membership, the sophomores get varsity letters, the juniors receive pins to go in the varsity letter, and the seniors are given a gift bag with a bunch of stuff in it.

The parents did a skit, as part of tradition.  They did a version of family feud.  The band family versus the guard family.  Of course, they didn't do fast money, and were tied.  Our drum major's dad wore the drum major outfit, a hair piece, and earrings.  It was pretty funny.

We also got to watch a slideshow of the seniors, now, and as babies.  They showed us our final run through at championships.

Overall, it was pretty sad.  The seniors are leaving, so the band won't be the same.  I'll miss some of the seniors next year.  We'll never do this show again, which is a bummer, since it was a well written show.  Even an experienced judge said so.  I feel like no other show can top this show.  I can't wait for marching band to start next year!

"Let's Go Big Blue..."

We have a football game on Friday, and I can't go since I have something else.  I'm so mad!  I really wish I could go!  I actually hope that the football team can keep winning, not because I like football, but so that I can stay in touch with the other marching band members.

I'm really sad.  All we have left are football games and recognition night on Tuesday.  I have practice for something else on Tuesday, and I am definitely skipping practice.  I want to go be with my marching band family.  The marching band literally does feel like my family.  The directors tell you to do things like parents do, and the marching band members themselves can grate on your skin the way siblings do.  Through all of that, you get close to some of the people. 

My brother was humming one of the brass member's favorite song, Big Blue.  I think that's what it's called.  It just reminded me of all of the times the other flutes and I danced to the song, and how ridiculous we probably looked.  That's what I love about the band.  No one really cares if you look weird or not, and people do silly things to make band fun.

I really can't wait for next season, although I'm convinced that no season could be as good as this one!

"Sports Do Not Build Character, They Reveal It." -John Wooden

When I last signed up for marching band, I just signed up.  Sort of like diving in head first into unknown water.  I didn't know what I was getting myself into.  Midway through the season, I wasn't sure if I liked marching band or not.  Like I said in many earlier posts, I'd have to see a whole season before deciding whether or not I liked marching band.  I'm definitely glad that I did do marching band, so that I would know for sure if I liked marching band or not.

I told my mom that I'm planning on doing marching band next year, and she said that my dad isn't going to be too happy, since all of the late nights fell on the days he had to get up early.  I feel so bad for my dad, since he would either have to pick me up, or be waken up by my mom when she would get home from picking me up.  The schedule's crazy, you don't have a lot of extra time, it's hard, and you have to go through band camp.  Sometimes, marching band is a pain in the butt, but I'm beginning to see that it's fun.

Oh well, if I don't do marching band, I'll miss everyone, and the closeness of the marching band community.  I like being a part of something so much bigger that I am, and I also love being in my school's band.  I can't imagine being in any other band.  Plus, I'll get chewed out by the other members.

I'm really sad and glad that marching band is done.  I'll miss most everyone.  At the same time I'm glad, since rehearsal drug on and on.

So, now all we have left are football games and recognition night.

The quote that I used for the title was a quote that I found in our football/cheer leading/marching band program.  So true.  When the going gets tough in marching band, some just practically quit.  My version of the quote is,"Marching Band Does Not Build Character.  It Reveals It."

"We Get What We Deserve, and Deserve What We Get."

 Bus Ride Up

Today us championships.  I'm beyond excited.  I can't believe it's the last day of the season.

So, according to my music section leader, I'm her little ducky, since I used to march like a duck.  I'm taking that as a compliment, since I can say now that I don't march like a duck.  I told people they should make me an award for the most improved.  I told my band director this, and he agreed.  If anyone in the marching band has to say something good about me, they tell me how hard I work.

I think we'll do well if we stay humble, and work hard.  We're ranked second in our division.  We were told a single tempo tear can make a big difference.  One band member predicted top five.  I agree with her.

Rehearsal was tough.  Three hours.  The directors were hard on us, asking us what place we wanted to be in.

After the Show

Well, everyone thinks the show went well.  I tried my hardest; I couldn't have focused more, pushed harder, or have done more for the the show tonight.

I guess I'm a perfectionist.  I got the "I did this, this, this, this, and this wrong" feeling.  After talking to a couple upperclassmen, my thoughts were about how I couldn't have tried harder.  In rehearsal, maybe, but not tonight.  I didn't make the last set of the opener, or the pods in the ballad.


My band director, once we had regrouped, didn't have much to say.  He said,"Okay, I can't hold it in any longer."  Then, he screamed, and we did too.  Everyone felt that we had collectively beaten the show.  That's good, since our show is now put to bed.

Award Ceremony

I'm so nervous.  They're announcing the bands in our division.  I'm shaking, half from the cold, half from nervousness and anticipation.  I'm actually holding hands with the flute next to me from cold, anticipation and nervousness.  Twelve, not us.  Eleventh, not us.  Tenth, not us  Ninth, not us.  Eighth, not us.  Seventh, not us.  Sixth not us.  Okay, top five!  Fifth, not us.  And in fourth place, with a score of 94.1 and the special award for high auxiliary, _________________!

On the Bus 

I'm so disappointed.  We got fourth, with a score of 94.1.  The third place band got 94.2.  come on.  Our show was the best we could have done it, as a group.  A tenth of a point isn't that much.  If only I could have made the last set of the opener, and the pods.  Our show has been put to bed tonight.  No chance to make it better or perform it better.  UGH!!!

I feel like we still have five competitions ahead of us, and that we have rehearsal and we'll watch the video from tonight on Tuesday.

I just talked to some of my fellow band mates.  Some are feeling the same way I am.  I said that I know what I would do better if we were to keep going with the show.  Someone just said to leave it on the field.  Another person said that it's in the past, so you can't do anything about it.   After a perspective change, I said that the other bands had to be really good, and deserved first, second, and third place if they beat us at our best. 

The music section leader for the clarinets told me that I work really hard.  She said that sometimes, they have to practically force people to come early for extra help, but I was willing, and actually asked for extra help.

My band director said not to be disappointed, since this is the first time in a while that we've been above fifth in championships.  Apparently, one judge had us ranked first, three had us at second, and the other half were all over the place.

I'm feeling kind of sad right now.  Our show is done, so we'll never play the show again.  Next year, the band won't be the same.  I'll miss most of the seniors, and some of the others, not so much.  I think that marching band has gotten into my blood.  I want to do it next year.

This 'N That

It’s always interesting to hear people’s first impression of you. So anyway, yesterday, before rehearsal started, this clarinet came over to talk to me. She’s the music section leader for her section. I was told something along the lines of how proud she is of me, and how I work hard. Apparently, the first day of band camp, she thought, “Oh no, here comes a freshman who doesn’t know what the heck she’s doing, and I’m going to help her, so hopefully by the end of the season, she’ll be up to par.” Well, the part of being the ignorant freshman was true; I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I have learned a lot since band camp, and next year, I’ll merely be reviewing my skills. Hopefully, it will be a little easier.

In my opinion, freshman have to work harder than upperclassmen, since they have to learn correct marching technique, the show, and be up to par with everyone else.

I talked to my marching section leader, and I told her that the only freshman worse than me is the freshman that either gives up, or doesn’t care, and only does band because their parents force them to. She told me that she’d take me over them any day, even if they had great natural abilities.

We watched our run from the competition on Saturday. We were told that the thing that drove up our score was our technique, and overall. We fell behind in communication and on personal levels. They gave us a pep talk about how we could go in autopilot, and do okay at championships, or we could work really, really hard, and get the score we want. The show has to go well, we’ve had good runs and shows, but not any fantastic ones. We only get four more runs. One tempo tear can make a big difference, so I’ve been told.


I can't wait for championships on Saturday!

"Let's Get A Little Bit Rowdy..."

"...Since (my school's mascot) are hip, hip rowdy!"- Thanks cheerleaders.

We actually did better than I thought we did.  In my opinion, this run went okay, and better than the run this afternoon, which went TERRIBLY.  This afternoon, we had to stop twice.  Tonight, people said that we had a tempo tear in the tag.  I made a few minor mistakes, like not quite making the last set of the opener.  This run didn't stand our in my mind in any way, shape, or form.

We ended up getting first out of fourth.  We beat our old score high score by 5.95 points, and our first score by 12.85.  Wow.  That's a lot.  We also got High Color Guard and high overall effect, again.  Our directors must be really good.  We've either improved a lot, the judges didn't see our mistakes, or they were very lenient on us.

This has been a very good season so far.  Our football team is 9 and 1.  We're so mad that we lost the last game.  Our team got cocky, and that caused them to make mistakes.  We were supposed to win.  This year's show is also good.  I've heard it's a well-written easy show compared to shows in the past.  It's also a lot more visually full show.

People in the band, for the most part actually care, and we try to do things with excellence.  This just means that we're going to get pushed harder for championships on Saturday.

Second to Last Competition

About five o'clock, Saturday, 11/6/10

Life is pretty good right now, marching band wise.  Everyone survived our five hour rehearsal before the competition.  

I'm feeling relatively confident about the show.  Rehearsal went as well as a marching band rehearsal before a competition could go.  Our runs went okay.  We fixed a lot of sets, and I'm feeling pretty confident about my part of the show.  There's some visuals that I almost always forget, so my goals are to remember them, and marching technique.

We're almost done with the show.  Next Saturday, and we're done.  I can't believe it.  I'm kind of sad.  This has been a good season, since our football team is nine and one, I met a lot of nice people, and this year, we have a good show.

Section leaders always give us candy bags and personal notes before a competition.  My section leader usually writes that I work really hard.  Today, she wrote how I'm an inspiration with all of my hard work.  

Today, during band warm ups, my band director pointed me out for having good technique when marching backwards.  I guess I'm just lucky to have good calves.  Just remember to get up on your toes, legs straight, drag your toes on the ground lightly, and imagine a sting being pulled from the top of your head, like a puppet.  It's a lot easier on pavement than grass.  A lot of my sets where I have to march backwards, I have to slide backwards. (moving left or right with feet pointed towards the end zones.)  I like marching backwards on pavement.

I told my drill section leader something.  Marching band is like balls of clay.  Her brain takes them, smooshes it all together, and makes the whole ball of clay as perfect of a square as possible.  My brain takes them, puts them in order from largest to smallest (importance), makes each a perfect square, and move down the line.  She says she likes the way I think, probably since it's opposite the way she thinks.  

Hopefully, we'll win this competition.

Exhaustion

I’m going to be exhausted this weekend, and on Monday. We had rehearsal last night, bed at ten. Football game tonight, bed at eleven. Competition tomorrow, bed at 11:45, but 10:45 because of daylight savings time. I have to get up on Sunday at seven o’clock. Beautiful. No time to recover, or to catch up on sleep. I live in the band hallway.

My school’s football team is undefeated so far. One more game, and then we keep going. Joy. At least the show will be done. I can’t believe it! It feels like we’ve been working on the show forever! I’ve really improved a lot. I’ve learned the choreography of the show, the visuals, how to march in time, dress, what minus one and step outs are, how to mark time, and a lot more. I’ll be really sad. I won’t see people as much, this year was supposedly a “good show.”

Band camp, where I couldn't read a drill sheet seems like a long time ago. I have since then learned a lot, so if I do marching band again, which I think I will, hopefully it will be easier.

There’s only four bands in our division at the competition. So, it isn’t that big. The school that beat us before at two competitions isn’t there, so I’m happy. At our first competition, we beat all of the other bands. Out of eleven, they got eleventh, tenth, and seventh. We got fourth. This should be a relatively easy competition. Unless they improved A LOT, and we have a really bad run, we should get firsts. We beat the seventh place band by 3.05 points, the tenth place band by 13.1 points, and the eleventh place band by 16.2. Looking back at the scores, the first place band beat the last place band by about twenty points. WOW.

Our championships, there are twenty two bands we’re competing against. That will be a fun award ceremony. Waiting for a long time to find out what place you got. We probably won’t get first, but I think we’ll get in the top seven. After championships, our show gets hung up. I still can’t believe it. Recognition night is on the twenty third. That’s so sad.

"It's That Time of The Season"

Well, as the title says, it's that time of the season.  Rehearsals are more intense, the directors are on us to figure out what to do to improve, and it feels like we're getting frustrated with each other.  Wonderful.

Since we have Championships coming up on the 20th, the directors are presuring us to "beat the show" every single run through; making the run through we're about to do better than the one before it.  We're also told to make each run through a performance, and not to just lay it off.  It's a lot of work.

The directors won't/wouldn't tell us anything about how we did after a run.  We're supposed to think about how we did, and how to improve.

I feel/felt that all the upperclassmen were getting frustrated with me.  I still need A LOT of help with everything.  Sometimes, section leaders can seem mean.  One girl said to me,"I know you don't like me, but you're going to have to suck it up, and deal with it."  That was when she was trying to get me to even my intervals, and come closer to her.  It's very frustrating sometimes.

The woodwind section leaders are very hard.  Their personality for the most part are "This is what you need to work on."  There are a few exceptions, but for the most part, they're all criticism, and no praise.  The brass seem to be more of  a mix of personalities.  Some encouragers, some who are half and half, and some more like the woodwind leaders.

My drill section leader told me not to worry.  I told her that it seems like all the other freshmen have the marching.  She said,"Have you seen some of the freshmen brass?  Some of them can't march.  At least you try."  She also told me that I work really hard, and that marching comes at different times for people.  Her freshman year, she had a set that was really hard to make.  The directors would come over loud speaker, and tell her that she needed to make that set.  How embarrassing!

When I told her that I was told that this is an "easy" show, she said that in comparison to the old shows, yes, but compared with other bands, this is a very visually intense show.

When I conveyed these feelings to my other section leader, she asked me if I needed a hug, and I said yes.  She said that this is the first year she hasn't cried when someone yelled at her.  I told her that it's because she's a section leader, and now she does the yelling.  So true.

Some of the clarinet upperclassmen were helping me with the new visuals.  I told them that I still can't play and march in time on the field.  One said,"You're a flute, so they probably won't hear you."  So true, and definitely to my advantage.  I can play and march in time when there aren't any direction or speed changes, but that doesn't happen very often on the field.

It seems like my only two emotions in marching band are frustrations and excitement when they're about to announce awards.  It'll be sad after the show at championships.  We've all worked extremely hard this year on the show.  The seniors will graduate, and I'll miss some more than others.  Next year, we'll have a completely different band.

The Frustrations of Marching Band

I'm kind of frustrated right now.  During rehearsal on Tuesday, the directors changed and added a lot to the second half of the closer.  I can't remember everything they added.  I need to get the counts for everything, and work on the mechanics of getting and doing everything.

So we already have a visual for the eight count hold.  We stick one leg out and lean back.  Then, we have to turn around, bring instruments down for four, open our arms for four, close our arms for four, and then bring our instruments back up.  Our next visual is to turn around, put one leg out on one, five random horn shoots, then foot back in on six.  Move sixteen, and on one, a visual that looks like a little tea pot.  We then move ten, move twelve, hold four, move four, and then move sixteen.

I was getting really frustrated because I couldn't get the mechanics of everything, and section leaders were constantly telling me what to do.  "Back up, move forward a little bit, that's too much."   Also, my section leaders were telling me to watch my flute angle.  Our role model was a clarinet.  That's kind of not fair, since they have it easier than we do.  They aren't as obvious if they don't have good angles.  That's really frustrating because my brain prioritizes things, and I can't focus on the new visuals and flute angles at the same time.

At least there are some upperclassmen that are willing to help me get all of this down.  We have our next competition on sixth, so I'll have to get the visuals all down pat by then.

Halloween Parade 2010

Yesterday was the Halloween Parade.  It was very boring, we had to listen to the cadence twice, and then play the fight song painfully slowly.  Half the speed we usually play.  We were allowed to wear costumes, as long as they wouldn't get in the way of our playing.  I dressed up as a cowgirl, with a cowgirl looking hat, jeans, sneakers, a button down shirt, and a cowgirl looking belt.  Other people dressed up as princesses, a crayon, Crayola markers, animals, and other random things.  I think the best costume were some of the other flutes, who went as butterflies.

We didn't have anyone marching in front of us besides the color guard.  Our drum major is fair queen, the band director is sick, and the other director got us started and stopped us.   So, I didn't have anyone to look at to see if I was in step or not.

I could actually march in time and play!  The difference between parade marching and marching a show is that there aren't any tempo or direction changes.  That way, I can focus on feet to the beat and step, and just add the music over top.  The girl behind me said she was pretty sure my feet were to the beat.  That's a pretty big accomplishment.  Now, I need to work on getting that onto the field.

Post Feelings

I still can't believe that we're state champions!

I just got on the bus, unloaded, suited up, warmed up, and performed the way I always do in rehearsal.  I guess I'm just too hard on myself.  I thought that my performance at the first competition was better.  I need to check some minor details like how many counts various sets are.  I guess you'll never have the 'perfect' run.

We got first place out of four bands, I'm in shock!  The color guard's score was higher than all the rest, even the bands bigger than us!  We got high overall visual, high color guard, and high overall effect.  That’s 3/5 of the special awards and first place.  The other bands are probably really mad.  We aren't on this circuit, and here we come, first place and 60% of the other awards.

Before we performed, I asked my section leader if we were in the competition for a trophy.  She didn't know, so she asked a color guard helper.  She said, "You guys are the competition."  Well, obviously, we are.

I wish I had been there for the award ceremony.  Apparently, the director was pretty much speechless, and he couldn't have gotten a word in even if he wanted to, because we were cheering so loudly.  If there was an award for the most spirited band, we would get it for sure.  We cheer and scream loudly, no matter what place we get.

We probably won't get first place for our circuit's championships.  There are a lot more bands in our division, like twenty instead of four.  Plus, we got fourth when there were eleven bands, so the bands that beat us will probably beat us again.  It'll be amazing if we get first again.

The directors said that they feel that we aren't just getting lucky; we're learning how to perform the show correctly.  It really shows.  We try to incorporate the minor details, like crescendos and dynamics too.

I can't wait for the rest of the season.  I think I will do marching band again next year, since I won't be the main focus for technique, people will be more focused on the freshmen.  Plus, as the ladies at our first competition said, "The first year is the hardest, please don't let her quit."  It's nice to be a part of something so much bigger than you are.

Double Competition

 

About 1:30 P.M. Saturday

I'm sitting on a bus right now on the way to a competition.  Today's rehearsal actually went well.  It was only for an hour, so it wasn't as bad.  I made one of my sets that I hadn't made before, so the upperclassman clarinet that's behind me was extremely happy.  She's been working with me on various things, like making that set.  Just squat and run in time and step up on my tip toes.

The directors changed my fun set so that and the sax behind me and I are bumped back.  It makes my life so much easier.  I felt pretty confident about the show.  Our directors are constantly telling us to make this run better than the one before it.  I needed to focus on the hard sets, and the third part.

It can be really frustrating sometimes.  The directors changed a set in the closer.  It’s farther away from my next set.

This show, I have a lot of small sets and regular ones.


About two hours later...

I'm sitting on a bus AGAIN.  We got first place at our first competition, beating our old score by two points.  It was out of two bands, but nevertheless, it was first place.  We also got the high auxiliary (color guard) award.  The band next to us got every other special award
.
It was our best run through so far.  There are still a few minor details I need to solidify.  Our band director gave us high fives as we marched off the field, something he had never done before.

An Hour Later...

We're on our way to the next competition.  The one we were just at wasn't a very big competition.  The next one is bigger, but it's a different circuit.

Our performance over all was pretty good.  Our director said that he could feel our presence, and he didn't feel the need to think, "Oh please let this happen, or please let this happen..."  The first competition was a better performance for me.  I need to check some details, like how many counts certain sets are, and things like that.

We ended up getting first place, and high auxiliary.  The color guard is probably ecstatic.  They've gotten the award every time it's been awarded.  I bet there are other bands that are mad because we're not in this circuit, and here we come, getting first place.  There were only four bands in our division, but who cares, we got first.

Double Trouble

We have a double competition on Saturday, and I'm not sure how I feel.  Competitions are a lot of work, since you have to rehearse, load the trucks and buses, drive to the stadium, unload, perform, get awards, wait, load, drive to the next location, unload, perform, wait, get awards, load, and drive home.  That's a lot of work.  The pit's not too happy, since they have the biggest instruments.  According to upperclassemen, they're also not very fun, since it's a lot of work.

We're skipping the usual rehearsal before the competition, which I think is both good and bad.  It's good to get the spots we need to touch up, and it gives us more confidence.  The rehearsal always seems to take forever, so in some ways I'm glad we're skipping it.

The directors are letting us go to a part of an amusement park for a treat since we'll have to work so hard on Saturday.

We're going to have four performances in three days.  We have our fundraiser appreciation performance on Thursday, since it was postponed from rain, a football game performance, and the two performances for our two competitions.

The football game on Friday was so windy and cold.  One person had to bite down on their hat straps to keep their hat on their head.  Our directors commended us for fighting through the wind.  Hopefully, it won't be nearly as windy on Saturday.

"What I Wish I Knew At The Beginning of Band Camp."

Here's a list of things that I really wish I could go back in time and tell myself at the start of band camp.

1) Watch the drum major for the beat.


2) Turn towards the drum major and directors aka the "press box" to have better flute angles.

3) 3/4 time is apain in the butt.

4) Double time is nice, since every beat you get from the drum major is a step with the left foot.

5) Concentrate on getting feet to the beat.

"How Cold Is It?" "Not Cold Enough!"

Yesterday was our usual Tuesday night rehearsal.  It was freezing cold, and it had been drizzling the whole day practically.  I was sticking my fingers in my mouth and blowing on them to keep them warm.  My fingers were so cold the I couldn't bend them any farther back than straight.  We were told to keep our mouth pieces warm, and to push in, since you go flat when it's cold out.

I was told that you want warm, thin layers and hand warmers.  If you really bundle up, like with four sweatshirts, you won't be able to play.  I have long johns and thermal underwear for rehearsals and football games. 

A couple of baritones always take their shirts off for run throughs.  My drill section leader asked them if she yelled,"How cold is it?"  If they would yell,"Not cold enough!"  Apparently, they always do that, even if it's 50 degrees out.  I wonder how it's going to be when it's 20 degrees out, and snow is falling.  The uniforms keep heat in, and don't keep the cold out. 

I still need to decide if I'm doing marching band again or not. 

Cons:
-Crazy schedule: I have no time to do anything fun because of marching band.
-People always telling you what to do/yelling at you: Especially as a freshman, people are telling you to watch your shoulders, march in time, dress, ect...
-Uniforms


Pros:
-Meet new people & marching band is a close-knit community.  Sometimes, especially during band camp, I feel like I see the marching band more than my own family.
-Something to do

I've discovered something about marching band.  I actually like double time(marching two steps for every beat) because every beat our drum major gives us, I take a step with my left foot.  We had to do double time in basics block, and I struggled.  In the show, I just do it without thinking about it.

My favorite parts of the show are the ballad (the second part), and the tag.  I don't like the opener, since it has 3/4 time in it.  Then I have to work harder to be on step.  I like the ballad, since it has double time in it, and I like the closer since it's short.  I think the choreography is really cool. 

I have gotten better at a few things in marching band.  I've really learned how to dress, and minus one is pretty much automatic now.  Being on step is something I still have to work on, but I've gotten better at that. 

We have a double competition on the 23rd.  Apparently, they're not fun.  You sit on a bus for an hour or so, unload, warm up, perform, get awards, pack up, and do it again.  Our directors are taking the whole band to a fun spot near our second competition to relax and have fun.

"Okay Guys, Let's Get'em"

"Okay guys, don't cheer if they don't announce us."  That was what an experienced upperclassman said to us as the announcer was about to announce second place.  "And with a score of 84.75, eighty four point seven five, __________________.(My school name)  That was an improvement over our last score, 81.1.  We want crazy when we heard we got second.  The band that beat us beat us by about two points, and they got second at our last competition.

I predicted that we would have gotten second or third, and we got second.  I knew that the band that got first place was pretty good, and would probably beat us.  I was ecstatic when I found out that we got second, by a couple of points.  That run was one of the best, in my opinion.  You could feel the level of energy and concentration on the field.  I felt that on my part, I did well.  There are still some things, like playing and marching, and posture that I still need to work on.

After we had marched off the field and regrouped, the directors gave us their take.  They said that they could feel the energy, and it was a good run through.  We were told that something magical happened, that we all could say we tried out hardest.  Now we need to focus in on the details.  One of the color guard instructors who hasn't seen us perform in a while said that he could barely tell it was the same band.  The trick now is to get the competition feeling onto the field when we do a run through in rehearsal.  I say we should get all of the staff besides our main instructors to walk around the field the way judges do, and we should practice on grass.

Of course, we always have rehearsal before a competition.  You could tell it was competition day by the level of stress and the amount of verbal instructions going around.  I was getting a little frustrated.  I was exhausted from the football game the night before, and was feeling a little emotional.  So people always get on my case for flute angle, marching in time, and posture.  I need it, but sometimes I don't like the way they try to tell me.  One person came up to me and said,"Alexis, you need to tuck your butt under.  It's October."  I said that there's too many things to concentrate on.  She said,"Well, everyone has things they all need to focus on."  Because I was exhausted and a little emotional, I was ready to cry.  I was just thinking about marching in time, and not my posture.  My brain prioritizes things, and picks to do one thing at a time.  In the show, I really tried to focus on my posture.  When we do a run through, I always think in my brain,"What have people told me for this part of the show?"  I can literally hear that girl in my head when we get to certain parts if the show.

The bus ride up was long.  It takes about an hour an a half to get from my school to the school performed at.  This is one part I don't like about marching band; the crazy schedule.  We performed at 7:15, awards were at 9:20, and we got home at 11:15.  My little brothers woke me up at 9:10 this morning.

Well, I guess I just have to see how the rest of the season goes before I choose whether or not to do marching band again.  Sometimes, it seems like I see the marching band more than my family.  Some of the members can grate on my nerves sometimes, so they're like my unrelated family.

"Take Me There"

We have a competition on Saturday, and I'm a little nervous.  I need to get better by then.  Yesterday, I had a fever, aches, and a sore throat.  I had to miss Tuesday's rehearsal.  I'm a little nervous because rehearsals before a competition are always important.

We're performing the tag, which we learned just recently.  In it, we do "pinwheels."  I have to work on that, since the person who is on the end has to follow me said he always almost wacks into the base drums.  I need to circle around the person who's the center point closer.  The directors said that we need to "take them there"

During our last competition, one of the judges said, "Okay, take me there."  I guess as performers, we need to transport our audience to the middle east.  Our show is based on the middle east, and we have movements that are supposed to be like a sandstorm, a genie appearing, and a piece with themed music.

Personal Feelings

So, marching band can be really frustrating.  They never let us out on time.  Rehearsals, like anything else, are the worst part, along with the uniforms and band camp.  It's also frustrating having people telling you things, giving you tips, and telling you to keep your flute angles up.  It's a pain sometimes when one person will tell you to take smaller steps, and another person tells you that your step size was good, because they almost ran into you when you took the smaller steps.

Marching band is also annoying because your schedule is so full.  I want to go camping on a weekend starting on Friday, but, as always, we have a football game.  I have to work out the logistics of how to go on the camping trip.

One mistake I made during band camp was not watching the drum major.  Now, I can't march in time and play at the same time.  Also, if you turn your shoulders towards your drum major, your flute angle will probablly be correct.

Flute posture is a pain.  Flutes are the most obvious when not correct.  So, to my understanding, you have flutes parallel to the ground, shoulders back, flutes pulled back, shoulders parallel to the sideline, and probably something else that I missed.

Another hard part of marching band is the choreography.  So, it seems to me that whenever I need a lot of steps to make a set, I don't have enough.  For short sets, I have a plentiful supply.

So, marching band is frustrating sometimes, but there's other aspects that make it worthwhile.

Marching Band Dictionary

Here's a list of terms in marching band in my words.

1) Minus One:
When your directors tell you to go back to a set, and you put your feet as if you were in the last step of the set before.  If the first step of the current set is one, than the step before it would be minus one.

2) Double Time:
Marching two steps for every count given.

3) Drum Major:
The person who conducts the marching band.

4) Color guard:
A group a people who use flags,sabers, rifles, and other miscellaneous equipment to add visual interest to the show.

5) Mellophone:
The marching version of a french horn.

6) Drill:
The choreography, or steps that you take in the show.

7) Drill Sheet:
A piece of paper that has the coordinates of your drill.

8) Dress:
To align yourself with the people next to you.  Usually the person to your left, unless otherwise specified.

9) Cover Down:
To align yourself with the person right in front of you.

10) Mark Time:
Moving your feet to the beat while staying still, while alternating using your left and right foot.  The marching band version of tapping your foot.

11) Step Outs:
To put your foot out and put it back in while doing a run through to help you know where you are in the show.

"You Have The Book Written, Now You Need To Sell It."

On Friday, we had a football game.  It was far away.  We had to travel forty five minutes to get to the game.  It was in the middle of a city, and there was a rail road line right next to the field.  At least three trains rumbles through during the game.  The bus rides up and down were lonely.  The person I usually sit with sat behind me, with someone else.  On the way back, people actually thought I was asleep.  We got back around 11:20.  I just flopped in bed.

Our show went pretty well.  Our drum major won fair queen, so we had our band director conduct.  When I turned around, I almost did a double take when I saw him on the podium instead of the drum major.  At their school, they have the home stands right in front of a brick wall, that had a church or something behind it. 

One of our director's parents, who's a marching band judge or something gave us a pep talk.  He said that "We have to book written, we just have to sell it."  We have to have confidence the second we step on the field.  Apparently, we looked unsure of ourselves in the first movement, and we looked more confident in the second and third.

The other band's fight song is the same as ours.  They really over played "Seven Nation Army."  I said that they should make that song their fight song.  One of the clowns in the band told the band director that we should play it back.  Only some instruments had the music, so I turned around to a clarinet player who had perfect pitch to help me figure out the notes.

A Cold Day of Band Camp

We had rehearsal yesterday, and we still hadn't learned the tag, and  it felt like a cold, short day of band camp.  We had to hand set the drill (section leaders had to look at the actual pages and tell us where our set was)  Fortunately, it was only ten pages, and we finished with plenty of time.  I've gotten wiser since band camp.  I tried to march to the beat, watching our drum major, and I have gotten better at dressing.  I think that our tag will look cool, if we can do it correctly.  So, we do "pinwheels"  where we pivot around various center points.  Each "pinwheel" is a group of five down the line.  So, we're all crammed together.  I'm squished between a tuba and a baritone.  Apparently, we were supposed to be somewhere near our section.

We also did a run with the three parts we already knew.

Before we went outside, we watched the video of our performance from the competition.  I could hear the places where we weren't together musically.

So, know we know the entire show.

My Feelings on Marching Band

I realized something.  I usually blog about what happened, not my feelings.  I guess that's not necessarily a bad thing though, a mix of events and emotions would be better for this blog.

So, right now, I feel mixed things about marching band.

I'm frustrated because it's a lot of commitment, and I feel like I can't do any of the activities my youth group plans because of marching band.  For example, my youth group went to a zoo, and I couldn't go because of a band competition.  Now, it's a pain in the butt to try to go on the weekend camping trip, since I have a football game, and my dad won't let me miss it.

Marching band is also frustrating because it's really hard for me.  I'm just not that coordinated to march in time, play from memory, and keep good technique all at the same time.  My mom told me at the competition yesterday, she sat next to some ladies she didn't know.  Apparently, they were practically begging her to not let me drop marching band, and they said the first year's always the hardest.  It seems like people are always giving me suggestions, and there's no way that I can remember everything they tell me.

Another thing I don't like about marching band is rehearsals.  They are always long and tedious. (see my other posts on that.)  It seems like the weather is never right.  During band camp, it's really hot, and during November, it's always cold.  The uniforms keep heat in, but don't keep the cold out.

On the other hand, there are some things I do like about marching band.  I like the social aspect of marching band, meeting and getting to know people in the marching band.  I like competing, because it gives me a reason to work hard on my part of the show.  One of my favorite parts of marching band is playing in the stands at a football game, since you can sit and talk between songs.

If I wanted to get the "Best of Both Worlds," I would audition for the pit.  I would play percussion, and not have to march.  The only problem with that is I don't know the first thing about playing percussion.

Overall, I would tell anyone who is debating whether or not to do marching band, I would say to go for it.  That way, you know whether or not you like it, and you can do it again if you enjoy it.  Also, as a freshman, you're allowed to not know everything, and get a lot of help from upperclassmen.  As a senior doing marching band for the first time, people look up to you, expecting you to know everything.


I think I will do marching band next year.

"Get Wet and Sandy..."

"Get wet and sandy" is one of my band director's favorite expressions.  It's from the book, Lone Survivor.  I think it's about a dude in the military, who's commander made him do things like getting wet and sandy and then running five miles.  He translates by saying that we must do hard things to get ready for competitions.

We had a three hour rehearsal before the competition.  It was long, and tedious.  I didn't eat enough for breakfast, and I was starving.  We had a good run, because they held the idea of eating lunch over our heads.  They told us to "earn our mac and cheese," not to go through the motions to get to lunch.  We got through it, obviously.

The competition went okay, I guess.  Apparently, the run through in the afternoon was better than the one at the competition.  We ended up getting fourth out of eleventh, and we were ecstatic when we found out that we didn't get fifth or sixth.  Upperclassmen said that they thought we would get fifth or sixth.  Our color guard got the award for the best color guard.  I love our tradition before a competition.  We have someone, this year, it was our president, pray, and ask God to help us do our best and for safety.  So, I guess I like competing, I'm not sure if I'll do marching band next year.

What I Like & Don't Like About Marching Band

I honestly don't know if I'll do marching band or not next year.   Before, I said that if I don't LOVE competeing, I'm not going to do it again.

I really enjoy the social aspect of marching band.  It's nice to be thrown in to a new environment with entirely new people.  I've really gotten to know some of the upperclassmen, and I'll really miss them when they go off to college.  That's one thing I like.  Another thing I enjoy is the football games.  I like playing in the stands, and just having a good time.

Of course, there are some things I don't like.  I don't like being sleep deprived, like when we have rehearsal from 6:30-9 on a school night twice a week, and football games running until ten on Friday night.  I also don't like rehearsals, since they tend to drag.  Band camp was the worst two weeks of my summer.  I'm glad that's over.

So, at least I don't have to decide yet, it'll be a lot to think about when I do have to choose.

"One More Time!" - Not

So, marching band has been really frustrating for me.  Rehearsals have been long and tedious, I have sleep deprivation, and it's a lot to sacrifice.  It doesn't come naturally to me.

So, my little brother had practice at six o'clock, and I have marching band rehersal every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:25-9:00.  My mom always drops me off early.  Some of the upperclassmen were helping me march.  So On Thursday, they were helping me with different step sizes.  I was doing the standard 8-5, which means eight steps for every five yards.  I was also getting help with 16-5s, which means you take very small steps, and 6-5s. (larger steps)

I couldn't march in time and play at the same time if it would save my life, as the expression goes.  I "walk and play" as my drill section leader puts it.  I need to march and play, and march to the beat.  I'm off the smallest bit, and when I'm around people who are right on, I look really off.

At the football game last night, my school's football team creamed the other team 44-7.  In the first thirty seconds, one of the players from my school ran the ball down to the end zone and kicked a field goal.  After that, it was pretty much down hill.

That performance was one of my worst.  We were at a college field, not a high school.  They had artificial grass, and we're used to real grass and pavement.  Also, their hashes (markings on the field used to find your sets) were really strange, and I honestly don't know what made them different from our field.  Being a college field, the space between the field and the stands was very large.  Our band director got on our case about projecting.  I'm suffering a severe case of sleep deprivation.  We got back to our high school at ten thirty.  By the time I was ready for bed, it was almost eleven.  I usually go to bed around 9:30 on weekends.  

We had to get up early for today's rehearsal.  Rehearsal was from nine to one, and we literally had to beg the director for a ten minute break.  Everyone was starving with an hour left in rehearsal.  The directors were adding visuals here and there, teaching us the tag, and making us do runs and parts of the show to make them a little clearer.  It was really tiring.  I feel like I can barely keep my eyes open.

I am in the process of surveying upperclassmen about what helped them be able to play and march at the same time.  The drum  major said to learn the music so well, it becomes second nature.  Another band member said knowing the drill really well, and just practicing.  

My mom says that she thinks this will be my one and only season in marching band.  Apparently, other parents have asked her if I'm "lovin' it."  Let me tell you, so far I'm not.  It's a lot to sacrifice.  At least I can say, for the other 2/3 of the people in my grade who didn't do marching band, at least I tried it for myself.  So if I don't love competing,  I'm not going to do marching band again.

"How Good Do Your Guys Want to be at Our First Competition? Show Me, Don't Tell Me."

 We had rehearsal last night, as usual.  Rehearsal felt long and tedious.  We had to run the same fifteen seconds many times, and connect it to the other pasts.  So we did the end of the opener for most of the time, the end of the third part, and a run.  Stretched out to two and a half hours.  It was kind of breezy out, and since the Summer Solstice has past, the days are getting shorter.  That's nice, because it means that you don't constantly have the sun beating down on you and glaring in your face.  We practiced for a while without the color guard. 

I can't believe we only have about four more rehearsals until our first competition.  For me, that's a scary thought.  What motivated me is that my band director told everyone that he's going to have helpers follow people around to see if they're playing, since he feels that a lot of the band isn't playing.  I wasn't really playing until about a week ago.  I decided that I'll play as much as I can now.  Before, I would play when we were at a hold and when we were in a block just moving forward.  I'm trying now to play when we marching in a line, and as much as possible.

The title of this post was after one statement my directors use often.

The First Official 2010 Football Game

Yesterday was my first official football game as a member of the marching band. We won 38-0, which is ironic, since we were supposed to be creamed. The weather was okay, not really cold, but on the warm side. We had rehearsal from twelve to four, which was long, and kind of tedious. One of the more dedicated color guard members must have gotten heat stroke or something like that. She was panting really hard after a run, and two people had to help her inside. It felt like a rendition of band camp.

We did a pregame show, and it didn't really matter that we were there. No one really paid attention to us, except some of the parents. The show itself went well. Ir isn't quite ready for a competition, but we've come a long way. We have five or six rehearsals until our first one.

My favorite part of the game was playing in the stands. We could just chill and talk. One flautist was explaining football to me, since I don't understand it. We played random songs, like our fight song, Final Countdown, Eye of the Tiger, and others. It's nice being a flute, so we can get members of the color guard to hold lyres for us.

The other marching band was okay. They had about as many members as we do. Their show was really "blah" to me. They marched around in a block for the first movement, and the second movement, they stood in an arch and played. Their color guard only had one flag each. It was really boring to watch. The other school's marching band had three drum majors. Apparently, we have one so we can have more people on the field. One of my section leaders said that maybe they're not a competition band, but our first competition is at their field.

I felt really strange walking around in my bibs during the third quarter. Everyone else is wearing jean shorts and a T-shirt, and the marching band is wearing bibs that look like snow pants. One person said that they don't care anymore, they're proud to be a part of the marching band.

So I would definitely say that football games are fun. We get in for free, which is really nice. It's a good thing that they're fun, because we have them every Friday night for the next month and a half.

People keep asking my mom if I'm lovin' marching band so far. I need to experience a whole season before making my decision. If I don't love competing, I'm not going to do marching band next year. It's a lot to sacrifice. Two weeks in the Summer due to band camp, every Tuesday and Thursday for rehearsal, Friday night games with friends, some Saturdays for shows and practices, time to practice the music, and sleep. So far, the sacrifices aren't worth the return.

A Long and Tedious, Yet Useful Rehearsal

Yesterday, we had marching band rehearsal. It was for two and a half hours, and that can get really long and tedious.

We were rehearsing the middle section and the end. I’m glad we did what we did. They changed the end part of the ballad (the middle section) and I was confused. Apparently, my drill sheet was right. They must of changes it and then changed it back.

I’m excited. I still can’t play and march, because I need to focus all of my concentration into the marching aspect of marching band. Toward the end of the ballad, we have this move where we move forward twelve as a block. I decided I was going to try to play, and I did. I still can’t play all the time, because I either don’t know where we are, or I need to focus on the marching. The marching part of marching band is not my strength; my strength is the actual music.

On Thursday, we're working the end of the ballad. I'm glad, because I'm a little fuzzy in that area.

I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the season.

Band Fundraiser Day

Yesterday was our band fund raiser day.  My band does one fundraiser.  The director said that we're lucky.  he can from a band where there was a fundraiser every month where they had to sell something.  We had to wake up early.  My feet hurt after walking around in the marching shoes all day.  We had to ring door bells, and if the person was home, give a spiel like this.

Us: "Hello, we're part of the __________ (my school name) marching band.  Today is our annual tag day.  Would you like to make a tax deductible donation?"

Resident: "Yes" or "No"

Us if they said yes: "Here's a card that serves as your receipt and has a schedule with a fund raiser appreciation performance so you can see what you paid for."

Resident if they said yes: "Good luck."

Us: "Thank you, have a good day."

If they weren't home, we'd leave a card and an envelope for them to mail in a donation.

The weather was a little on the warm side, making it uncomfortable to walk around in those hot uniforms.  Our chaperon made us stick it out, wearing the jacket the whole time.  She was nice, buying us slushies before lunch.

Apparently, we wrung about 100 doorbells that day.  According to my band director, we made about $9,500 from Tag Day.  At least it's done.

Parent Preview

Yesterday was parent preview.  The band directors changed the program.  It used to be that premiere night was the last day of band camp, the middle school gave a concert, and the high school performed the show.  Yesterday, the middle school did a mini show, and we did our thing.

We had to be there at five o'clock.  Two hours early.  It was annoying to show up two hours early for pictures and warm ups.  The program drug on because the band directors had to talk, so the program lasted an hour.  One hour for a five and ten minute program.

The middle school went first, playing various songs from rock and roll history while standing still.  We were supposed to be supportive of them, cheering and clapping.  I remember being in middle school, and marching down to meet the high schoolers.  They acted all enthusiastic for us, which felt good.  It seems like it was just yesterday when I was one of them.

The performance went pretty well for the third official run through.  I was closer to making my favorite set.  When we were done, my mom, who doesn't know much about music said she could tell I wasn't playing, since I wasn't moving my fingers.  I told her that I'd make it look like I was playing when she got on the field too.  She also said that it looked like I knew where I was going.

I don't like the uniforms.  The collar feels weird because it covers your entire neck.  The jackets are annoying because they zip in the back, so you need someone to undo it for you.  You can't bend over in the pants because of the elastic sewn on the bottom of the pants.  Dinkles are the worst.  They're tight on your feet, and just get irritating.

I have the music 80% memorized, so I have to memorize a couple little sections, the last part, and know how many rests are in between.  I also have to work on keeping my feet to the beat and using the correct foot at the correct time.  And getting the music with the marching.

Updates

Wow, and this is why I don't keep a journal.  I'm not faithful in writing, unlike how I was during band camp.  I guess that has to do with the fact that less is happening now that band camp is over.

One thing I don't like about marching band is the late nights.  Get done at nine o'clock, take a shower and dry my hair, and it's ten o'clock.  Get up at six the next morning.  I have a hard time trying to fall asleep, so it takes a while.

I have to wear the ugly, thick uniform tonight.  One of the bad parts of marching band.

Marching band is hard for me.  It doesn't come easily.  I have 75% of the music memorized, I just can't get it with my feet.  I have a hard enough time just marching.  Parent preview is tonight, but I'm going to fake, because playing and marching will mess me up.

I have the show down fairly well.  The directors made some changes to the drill towards the end of the ballad, so I'm not exactly sure where I'm supposed to be.  We only have old copies of the drill sheets.  I'm also a little hairy on the end of the third movement.  I still can't make my "fun set."  I'm in the front, and I'm supposed to be splitting.  Instead, I'm one of the yard line, so everyone has to dress to me.  At least I'm not in the middle...

I'll update you on parent preview when I get around to it.

Band Camp is Over... 'Whew! Now to Start the Refining Process

As you can tell from the title, band camp '10 is done.  I'm glad.  Those were long and hot days.  Now we have rehearsals every Tuesday and Thursday from six to nine, and yesterday was the first of those rehearsals.  My main band director was gone, so we had another person. 

I have grown to hate the expression "One more time."  The band director uses it too much.  One flautist has an expression.  "One more time means five more times, five more times means ten more times, and ten more times means you'll be doing it all night."  Apparently, the director has been better at not using that expression, so instead, they've been saying "Go back and do it again"

I was absent on Friday, the last day of band camp.  I had to make up six pages of drill.  At least they had us set the sets so I could figure out where I was going.

I still don't have the music with the marching.  I've found out that marching is not my strength.  The other freshman flautist seems to be getting it down okay.  I don't have all the music memorized either.  The way I memorize is through repetition, so it might take a while.

Drill wise, we're almost done.  We only have to learn about 45 more seconds, and refine what we already know.

So now, all I have to do is memorize all the music,consistently move my feet to the beat, learn to use the correct foot at the right time, and refine and learn the rest of the show.

Band Camp Day 7 & 8

Wow, a lot has happened during these last few days at band camp.  First, I got my braces off on Tuesday, which was the sixth day of band camp (I think).  I wast trying to get used to playing without them on my teeth.  Also, I got a really bad allergy attack.  I've had a cough the whole week, starting on the first morning of band camp.  On Tuesday, I was feeling out of it, and after our breathing exercises, I started to feel light headed.  I went to the doctor yesterday, and she said that it's probably allergies, post nasal drip, and maybe a virus.

Tuesday was not a good day for me at band camp.  It was really hot, which is obviously not enjoyable.  I was feeling out of it.  I feel really bad for the people around me, they had help me figure out where to go when I was totally blanking out.  I felt like I was merely going through the motions.  I'm happy to say that Wednesday went a whole lot better than Tuesday.  I'm not a very good marcher, but I'm getting there.  We learned some new drill, part of the closer.  When we do run troughs, I know basically where I'm going, I need to dress now, and get the music with the marching.

During the evening, we were picking apart and re writing sets.  The directors only got through two or three.  One person that was brought in to talk to us changing the beginning.  Instead of holding for twenty counts in the beginning, we now sit in arcs around the color guard props.  We do a simple, one arm pose until eight, get up until twelve, and use the rest of the counts to turn and get to our first set.  That was one of the best times so far.  The flutes were only needed for half of that time, so we just sat and talked, and I asked questions about high school.  Now, I'm really excited to get to high school.

People in the marching band says that being in the band is the quickest, easiest was to be considered a geek, and that people really don't care about the marching band, except for the people in the marching band.  Not that I really care, I'm taking computer programming and desktop publishing for some of my electives next year.  I've always been considered a geek.  It was weird watching my classmates walk to the high school for their freshman orientation.  At least they have another one before school starts.

I'm kind of worried about a few things.  I can never make set number eighteen in the opener.  It was originally twelve counts, but now it's move six, hold six.  I'm also worried about getting the music with the marching.  One sax said that the music will come in time.  I really haven't had time to practice.  Band camp is from four to nine, and by the time I take a shower and get ready for bed, it's ten o'clock.  I sometimes procrastinate practicing.  Another thing that I'm concerned about is keeping my shoulders to the sidelines, and using the correct foot at the correct times.  In the opener, sometimes it's a left foot step off, sometimes a right foot step off, and it drives me crazy.

One thing I'm not looking forward to is the uniforms.  I don't want to where that thing when the weather is like this, or when it's ten degrees out.  One girl said that sometimes it gets so cold that she puts hand warmers in her bra.  I don't like the uniforms.  They put a piece of elastic on the pants, to be like a stirrup.  The pants fit strangely, and I can't even bend over to put my shoes on and tie them.  I feel really bad for the drum line.  They have to wear the uniform and carry the heavy drum on them.  The drummers have sweat lines on their t-shirts from the drum strap.

The drum line.

My attitude for school and for marching band is "I'll figure it out... eventually..."

Band Camp Day 6

Band Camp 2010

Yesterday, band camp was from four to nine.  That was nice, five hours instead if eight.  Where I live, it's still really warm out at four.  Fortunantly, we didn't really move a lot until the sun started to go down, and it cooled down.

I don't like double time.  It confused me.  The middle part of our show, the ballad, changed from single time to double time and vice versa many times.  I still can't get it right even if I'm not playing.  One sax player said not to play, the music will come in time.  I'm not a very good marcher.  I've thought about playing pit: that's percussion instruments that you don't have to march.  My friend, who's a percussionist, said that percussion is a whole lot harder than it looks.  Bells look easy, until you use the ones that don't have the note names on them, and you're trying to use four mallets.  I'm a whole lot better at music than marching.  The thing is, I don't know the first thing about any percussion instruments.

My favorite part of marching band so far is the social aspect.  I like meeting new people.  All of the marching band and color guard are really friendly.  Many people have asked me if I like marching band, and I say that I need to experience the whole season, and not just band camp, to make my decision.

Band Camp Day 5

Band & Color Guard cooling down.

My feet really hurt.  Today at band camp wasn't as physically demanding, but we did a lot of standing.  We did our first run through of the season, everything we knew, which is the beginning and middle sections.

The weather this morning was beautiful.  It was very cool out.  In the afternoon,  the clouds went away, and it started to get hot.  It was very sunny today, and practically every one's legs got burned, but I was lucky, I didn't.

One thing I like about marching band is that the band boosters try to keep us cool.  They brought in a fire truck to spray us down, which felt good.  They also bought Rita's for us.  Every day they have a cool, sweet treat for us.

Now, I can read a drill sheet, but I make mistakes while reading it.  For all the new sets, my section leaders had to help me find the correct position.  When I'm a senior, and if I'm a section leader, I predict I'll be the music section leader, and not the drill section leader.  I'm not very good at marching.

For me, dressing can be a pain.  I have to make it to my spot, and be in line with everyone else at the same time.  So if the whole line is way off, I'll have to follow them and be way off, but that's not usually the case, I'm sometimes a step away from everyone else.

During the morning session, I was physically there, but only half mentally.  I think that all the tempo changes were throwing me off.  My drill section leader offered to prompt me when the tempo was about to change right before a hold.  She said that  I NEED to make that set, because of the hold. I couldn't play while marching if I tried.  I still need to count the beats in my head and concentrate on that, but when I do, I'm usually in the general area of where I'm supposed to be.

Fortunately, I was more focused during the afternoon session while we were working on the second part, the ballad.  It doesn't have many tempo changes, and is slower.  I make all my sets, mainly in line with everyone else.  The instructors were continually telling us to watch our intervals, so that way we stay even.  It didn't help me that the two clarinets diagonal from me were missing.  Another instructor on the field told me that I'm rolling my feet well, which is good for style, but I need to keep me upper body still so my tone doesn't sound weird.  The instructors just HAD to make changes, and I'm still confused about them a little bit.  I just know which sax player I stand next to.  I commented to my music section leader that by the end of the season, parade marching will seem like walking.  

In the ballad, there's this part that we hold for sixteen counts in groups of five, and are supposed to pose.  My group couldn't come up with anything for two days, so we got the color guard to help us.  They have two girls that have a lot of time just to sit because they're features.  We told them we'd give them something to do.  There's a tall girl in the middle, so she puts her hands over her head and claps them.  Me and another girl on the sides put the arm closer to the center put our arms straight, almost touching the girl in the middle.  We hold our instruments in the arm that's straight, because we have a flute and a clarinet.  The two people in the front and the back wave their arms like the ocean, only side to side.  We hold this position for eight counts, and the girl in the middle brings her arms back to her sax, and me and the girl on the side get our instruments ready to play. 

There are a couple parts of the show I'm concerned about.  There's this one set that used to be twelve counts, but it was changed to move six, hold six, and I almost never make it, the set for me is about eight steps.  That throws all the people behind me off.  I'm also concerned about the beginning of the show, because I just learned it today, and don't know it as well.  I can fix it with the next set, which is twenty one counts, but is only about five steps, so I can move to the spot I'm supposed to be in after the set that's hard for me.  My drill section leader told me that if I make a mistake, to not fix it because a judge at a competition is more likely to notice, but probably won't if I don't move.

I feel like I have the marching part of the show that we've been taught pretty well.  My mom got the time wrong and thought that she was supposed to come pick me up at three, but she needed to pick me up at five.  On her account, my handwriting on the family calender looked like a three.  She just commented that she said that it looked like I had my part down pretty well.  My mom doesn't know anything about music of marching. But her comment inspired me.  Who do you think is at football games?  People who don't know anything about marching, and plus, they don't know where we're supposed to be.  That's good.  

So, I'm glad for band camp's length.  At least I can get the show down by the end of camp.

Band Camp Day 3 & 4

So, band camp day three was from twelve to nine.  Band camp day four was from 8-5.  In other words, we all went to bed late and got up early.  Not fun.  I didn't want to get up any earlier than I had to, so here's the report on day three and four of band camp.

The weather for yesterday and today was hot, but today was cooler.  Today, there was a nice breeze going almost constantly, which felt good.  It was a pain at the end when we were supposed to be rehearsing music.  A flautist told us to turn our heads away from the wind.  I asked what we are supposed to do at a competition, and she said to blow harder.  At one point, the clouds were so thick that it looked like it would pour down rain, and it started to drizzle.  That felt amazing, all though it isn't good for the instruments. 

Marching band is a heck of a lot of work.  Apparently, for every second of the show, two and a half hours of work go into it.  That's a lot of time.  At least the marching band performs more than just once or twice, unlike concert band...

We were fitted for uniforms yesterday.  They look cool when you are with the whole marching band, but when I talked to the drum major, she said the uniforms get old really quickly, and you feel self-conscious at football games in front of your friends and peers.  She said she always wants to put her head down and run.  Every part of your body as a flutist is covered except for your face your finger tips and maybe parts of your neck.  Flautists and clarinetists have to cut the tips of the gloves to play easier.  That will be annoying for the Memorial Day Parade when it's really hot.  I talked to another marching band member and they said that your boiling hot in the summer and fall, and freezing cold in the winter.  I guess that's why the give them to you big so you can layer long johns and sweatshirts underneath.  The uniform itself is a thick, heavy jacket that zips and snaps in the back, black pants that are like snow pants that are suspenders, black Dinkles (shoes), black gloves, a hat, and these things that I can't remember what they're called.  The whole uniform is blue, white, and black, since my school's colors are blue and white.  I guess they make the pants, shoes, and gloves black to look professional.  It's also good because if they were white, they would get dirty really easily.  The downside is that black gets hotter than white.

Yesterday, progress wise, felt to me like we were regressing in progress.  I couldn't remember where my next set was, and so a sax had to shoe me to the right place.  I still didn't have much music memorized, and the upper class men told me to focus on the moving part of the show and not the music.  Many people told me not to worry about getting the show down, because we go through it so many times, and I can see that already.

Fortunately, today got better progress wise.  I think I'm getting better with using the correct foot at the correct time, but I'm still not always on track.  I think I got the parts of the show down that we've learned.  There's a few things that I can't quite make, because it's a long distance in six steps.  It seems like whenever I need a lot of steps to get somewhere, we have six, and whenever I have a short distance, I get twenty one.  I conveyed these feelings to the band director, and he just smiled and said that that's the challenge of marching band.  I just need to figure out how to make those long distances in six steps, memorize the music, and get the music with the show, all by premiere night with the middle school, and if that doesn't happen, as long as it's not a competition, I can wiggle my fingers, and no one will know the difference.  Now, I feel like the kid doing a puzzle without the box lid that has a bunch of sections of puzzle pieces put together, I can see parts of the finished product.

Most of the time, I can make it to the general area of my set.  Just sometimes not in line with everyone else.  More than one person told me to stay put and not move, and the judge probably won't notice, but they will if you try to fix it.  We have this one move that I can never make, it's a twelve count move.  Move for six, flute down on four.  Get to the spot by six, hold of six.  On nine, turn my head towards the end zone and put my flute up.  On ten, bring the flute and my face to the front.  I was old not to do the turn head thing if I'm late, because the judge will notice.

Working with the color guard has its ups and downs.  They look really neat, especially in the ballad part of our show.  One flute told us to not get mesmerized by them, especially at a competition.  They do this one move were one second they have one flag, and the next second they have two, and a bunch of other cool moves like that.  I said that we should watch the color guard now to get it out of our systems.

One of the many amazing moves of the color guard.

What I like about marching band is that you are part of something much bigger than just yourself.

Things I Need to Remember for Marching Band:

1) Shoulders angled towards sidelines

2) If I make a mistake, don't try to fix it

3) If I get way behind the line, take bigger steps

4) Follow the form

5) Flute parallel to the ground

6) Toes pointed up

Band Camp Day 2

Again, band camp didn't end until 9:00, so I think I'll have to blog about the day's events the next day.

The weather was miserable.  It was really hot, in the high 80's, low 90's.  To make it worse, our instructor didn't give us a lot of water breaks.  Towards the end of the first half, one flautist said,"Okay, let's all fall over right now."  We all wanted to, but decided not to.  Another person commented that the felt like they were swimming in their own sweat.  Fortunately, there was a breeze some of the time, and there were some clouds.  One clarinetist said that she hopes that it would rain for today, since it's better than the heat.  That's why I'm glad I have two flutes, one good one, one for marching band.

I was feeling really frustrated yesterday.  I know it's only the second day of band camp, but I have so much to learn.  What frustrated me the most was that I couldn't figure out where I was going next when we were stringing a few sets together.  Even though we marked our places, I couldn't figure out where to go because they all look the same.  Also, there were so many markings on the black top, I couldn't see mine, or figure out which one was my next one.  I am probably bothering all of the upper class men because we have these pods, and I'm on the end.  We have to march backwards to get to it, and I never quite make it.  I must need to take bigger steps because I don't make this one set when I go backwards either.  I noticed that for me, most of the time, I can make it when we only move from point A to point B, but when we string a bunch together, the changing directions really quickly throws me off.  At least I have two weeks to master the show.  Some upper class men told me that you run the show and play the music so much that you have everything down by the end of band camp.

I realized something.  If marching band didn't get better than this, there wouldn't be very many people in marching band.  Everyone would quit.  Honestly, who wants to spend two weeks of their summer with hot nine hour days, standing and marching for that long?  Not me.  People have told me that the best parts of marching band are the bus rides to competitions and the adrenaline you feel before you take the field.  I've heard the worst parts are band camp and the uniforms.  The drum major told me that during football games, she wanted to put her head down and run because she felt weird in her uniform in front of her friends.  For me, the worst parts of band camp are that it's hot, my feet hurt, and I sweat so much everywhere, especially below my lip, so I need to keep drying it.

Another realization I've made is in marching band, the key is if you don't know what you're doing, to make it look like you do.  I'm really going to need to remember that key point these next two weeks.

I noticed that I'm almost never next to other flutes.  It seems like I'm always next to saxophones or clarinets.  Not that that's a bad thing, but if I have a flute question, I can't exactly ask the saxes.

Another thing I've been told is that the way we get to our sets if just as important as the picture itself.

One thing I like about marching band is that it's exercise.  According to the Internet, you burn 1,387 calories marching for eight hours.  Between that and sleeping, (600 calories/8 hours) I can pretty much eat whatever I want!

Well, today's going to be another hot, long day at band camp.  I'll keep you guys posted.

Band Camp Day 1

Well, yesterday was the first day of band camp, nine hours.  We were done at 9:00, bed at 10:30, so I couldn't blog about it then.  When we got there, my band director announced that we had a parade for the national night out, five hours into band camp.  We were all wearing different clothes, and were feeling sweaty and disgusting.  The parade went well, I really need to work on correct footing.

Right now, I feel like I'm a little kid doing a puzzle without the box lid.  I see little sections of the show, like a few puzzle pieces put together, but not the whole picture.  I can't believe that the whole show has to come together in two weeks, so I better get memorizing!

The one emotion that is prevalent in my mind is confusion.  When the say to start at page eight, you have to find the spot which you marked "page 8."  Sometimes, you can't figure out which one of the markings is number eight.  Another thing that has really confused me is how the music lines up with all the choreography.  They say to play from page eight to ten, except I have no idea where that is in music.  I'll get everything figures out....eventually.

One thing that I want to remember is how far I've come.  There's so much to remember!  At the end of the season, one thing I want to look back upon is not being able to read a drill sheet.  When they first handed them to us, I had to ask upper class men to help me figure out where I was supposed to be.  By the end of the night, I was a little better at reading them. Another memory I want to have running new sets while playing the  music.  I just concentrated on my feet, since I didn't have any of the music memorized and I'm not that coordinated yet.  I need to focus on one thing at a time, and right now, that's the footing.  One hard thing that I need to condition myself for is to have my shoulders facing the home side line, not the direction I'm marching.  I really need to work on using the correct foot and the correct time.  During the parade, the flute section leader said to wiggle our fingers and watch the drum major's feet to get the correct footing.  I feel a little overwhelmed with everything I'm supposed to be learning.

Today's another exciting day of band camp, so I'll keep you updated as the weeks progress.

Useful Marching Band Materials

I haven't been marching very long, but here's a list of things that I find useful:

1) A Giant Water Bottle, I suggest a klean kanteen: 
Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Poly Loop Cap (40-Ounce)

2) A Student Instrument so that if you are out in bad weather, your good instrument doesn't get messed up.  One girl I know had her student flute all dented and scratched up from falling.  If you don't want that to happen to your precious instrument, a back up one is a must.

3) A Hat will keep the sun our of your eyes so you can actually see.

4) Sunglasses aren't necessary if you have a hat, but would still be useful.

5) Sunscreen; pretty self explanatory.

6) A Binder, here's one that hold up pretty well: 1" White Better Binder

7) Binder Clips.  I would get these to hold your music down if you are practicing with music outside.

8) Hair Ties: only if you have long hair, to keep the hair out of your way.

9) Plastic Pages to put music and field positions in.


If you have any other tools that you think would be useful to a marcher, leave a comment below.