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.