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
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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.