"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.