Recognition night was last night. It was just a fun time to laugh, eat, and have pictures taken.
This season has been pretty good. The show wasn't as good as last year. Also, our guard was more skilled. Besides that, I think I enjoyed marching band more this season. I knew more what was going on. I didn't have nearly the amount of upperclassman on my tail to fix things. I was actually one of the people that, when the directors would name a spot such as "E," I could tell people where that was. I just needed my music.
I really want to band my senior year. Seniors get all of the special treatment. If I want to do it senior year, I might as well do it next year. Marching band is a passion, other activities are past times.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”
The opening quote was said by Dr. Seuss. So appropriate for the end of the season.
It's championships! Yay! Last run through
So many people have attempted to make it special. People have brought in treats, written notes, etc... We're going through a spirit line.
Rehearsal was short, but hopefully effective. Maybe my band director and drum majors weren't paying attention, but they didn't make us re bring up our horns. I hope that was because it was decent. My high school marching career is pretty much halfway over.
Okay, so here's my lowdown on the run through. I'm a perfectionist in marching band with myself. I always focus on what I did wrong. I don't remember what mistakes I made last year. Those don't matter. Anyway, my biggest fault was not being in the final arc. It felt like an eternity. It wasn't an emotional show for me. Mechanically, it was decent, but it didn't invoke any emotions within me.
We got sixth place, and our score went down from the home show. That was a real disappointment. Everyone felt low scored. That run was better than the home show. Our almost two year undefeated guard was beaten. One of them said that they got second.
The band that got first had a 97. That's practically unheard of. They got all of the special awards, too. Apparently, they are a big school with a lot of money. They can pay directors instead of taking volunteers,
In the next few years, I'll miss certain people more than others. I'll miss my marching band mentor, the hilarious trumpet player, and the flute that I was next to for half the show. My marching band mentor has done so much for me. She's tuned me a million times, fixed my piccolo, answered my questions, taught me to march better, and she was even my second grade reading buddy. The flute that was next to me for half the show is super nice. She patiently answers my questions, and she always asks me what time it is. She always either cares about my random babbling or at least pretends to.
I think for me, marching band is more of a passion, and other activities are a past time. After awards, we cheered and played the fight song on kazoos one of our drum majors gave us. That was great. When we went to get pictures taken, our band director was giving us a post-performance, post awards pep-talk. The marching band is truly a family.
It's championships! Yay! Last run through
So many people have attempted to make it special. People have brought in treats, written notes, etc... We're going through a spirit line.
Rehearsal was short, but hopefully effective. Maybe my band director and drum majors weren't paying attention, but they didn't make us re bring up our horns. I hope that was because it was decent. My high school marching career is pretty much halfway over.
Okay, so here's my lowdown on the run through. I'm a perfectionist in marching band with myself. I always focus on what I did wrong. I don't remember what mistakes I made last year. Those don't matter. Anyway, my biggest fault was not being in the final arc. It felt like an eternity. It wasn't an emotional show for me. Mechanically, it was decent, but it didn't invoke any emotions within me.
We got sixth place, and our score went down from the home show. That was a real disappointment. Everyone felt low scored. That run was better than the home show. Our almost two year undefeated guard was beaten. One of them said that they got second.
The band that got first had a 97. That's practically unheard of. They got all of the special awards, too. Apparently, they are a big school with a lot of money. They can pay directors instead of taking volunteers,
In the next few years, I'll miss certain people more than others. I'll miss my marching band mentor, the hilarious trumpet player, and the flute that I was next to for half the show. My marching band mentor has done so much for me. She's tuned me a million times, fixed my piccolo, answered my questions, taught me to march better, and she was even my second grade reading buddy. The flute that was next to me for half the show is super nice. She patiently answers my questions, and she always asks me what time it is. She always either cares about my random babbling or at least pretends to.
I think for me, marching band is more of a passion, and other activities are a past time. After awards, we cheered and played the fight song on kazoos one of our drum majors gave us. That was great. When we went to get pictures taken, our band director was giving us a post-performance, post awards pep-talk. The marching band is truly a family.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
We have three more run troughs until the show's put to bed. My band director's slogan is to leave nothing on the field, meaning to work hard. One upperclassman guard member mentioned this, and she also talked about how she didn't always work the hardest. That's so true for me. I know most of my music, just not the last half of the tag. I wish I knew it. Oh well.
Last year was my year to learn to march. I know how to march this year, but I'm inconsistent. I'll have a great run through one time, and the next will be really bad. Also, I will either undershoot or hit a set perfectly. I feel bad for all of the people around me when they need to dress to me. If I do band again next year, that's one thing I want to improve.
I want to do band next year. I need to figure out what I'm doing with my life too. Being a marching band section leader would look REALLY good on an NHS app, which would look good on a college app. Marching band would too. I have kind of intense classes right now. Nothing like last year. Last year, I pretty much had fluff classes. A couple of days ago, I stayed up until 10:30 or so Papier-mâching and painting a project, which of course was a band night. Many of my friends are in band, too. Of course, there are some people who get on my nerves, but that's life.
One of my regrets from last year is not staying for awards for a competition. It was the second competition of the double competition day. The excitement of the band when we knew we got first would have been priceless. That was in one girl's senior speech, and she mentioned how we apparently didn't do too well in that circuit the year before. Also, I didn't get to hear senior speeches from last year.
Championships.
That word marks finality to the season. The very last time we'll every march that show with this band. Next year, the members will be different. People will drop out, seniors will graduate, and freshman will hopefully join.
Our biggest local rival and our rival from last year will probablly beat us. I'm thinking a fourth or fifth place finish. We'll see.:)
Last year was my year to learn to march. I know how to march this year, but I'm inconsistent. I'll have a great run through one time, and the next will be really bad. Also, I will either undershoot or hit a set perfectly. I feel bad for all of the people around me when they need to dress to me. If I do band again next year, that's one thing I want to improve.
I want to do band next year. I need to figure out what I'm doing with my life too. Being a marching band section leader would look REALLY good on an NHS app, which would look good on a college app. Marching band would too. I have kind of intense classes right now. Nothing like last year. Last year, I pretty much had fluff classes. A couple of days ago, I stayed up until 10:30 or so Papier-mâching and painting a project, which of course was a band night. Many of my friends are in band, too. Of course, there are some people who get on my nerves, but that's life.
One of my regrets from last year is not staying for awards for a competition. It was the second competition of the double competition day. The excitement of the band when we knew we got first would have been priceless. That was in one girl's senior speech, and she mentioned how we apparently didn't do too well in that circuit the year before. Also, I didn't get to hear senior speeches from last year.
Championships.
That word marks finality to the season. The very last time we'll every march that show with this band. Next year, the members will be different. People will drop out, seniors will graduate, and freshman will hopefully join.
Our biggest local rival and our rival from last year will probablly beat us. I'm thinking a fourth or fifth place finish. We'll see.:)
Senior Speeches 2011
Holy cow. The end of the season't just come so fast. It doesn't feel like the end of the season. I haven't been feeling well this whole week, so I missed the play off game yesterday. We won, so we'll have at least one more game. I think we're supposed to go pretty far. Senior speeches were this morning. They were mainly about the marching band being like a family and how fast it really does go. Too true. My marching band career is about half way over. Didn't it just start? Other points commonly mentioned were about how their parents made them join marching band and how they loved it, and how they've made so many friends. After the speeches, the band and guard formed a prayer circle, and everyone who wanted to prayed. It was amazing.
One memorable speech made by a hilarious marching band senior was accompanied by a "diagram" of the band family. It was him,"married" to another upperclassman senior trumpet girl, and they had their trumpet children. His "siblings" were the other upperclassman section leaders. And in turn, they each had their section children. His "parents," my "grandparents" were the drum majors, my marching band mentor was the "father," and the other drum major was the mother, since she's more nurturing. My "great grand parents" were my directors. The director's siblings were the other guard instructors, a combination of their names, and they had their guard children. He called my band director old. Everyone was cracking up.
One memorable speech made by a hilarious marching band senior was accompanied by a "diagram" of the band family. It was him,"married" to another upperclassman senior trumpet girl, and they had their trumpet children. His "siblings" were the other upperclassman section leaders. And in turn, they each had their section children. His "parents," my "grandparents" were the drum majors, my marching band mentor was the "father," and the other drum major was the mother, since she's more nurturing. My "great grand parents" were my directors. The director's siblings were the other guard instructors, a combination of their names, and they had their guard children. He called my band director old. Everyone was cracking up.
Monday, November 7, 2011
"Make Everyone Else Look Unexperienced"
Okay, so I'm a couple days behind on my blogging. I wrote this on Friday.
I'm not going to have time to blog tomorrow. It's our first ever home show, so there won't be any bus ride. In my mind, it's almost not like a competition because we'll be exhibition. My band director said that this is a really important score because it's out last score before championships. We'll be classified by ability for championships. Our score right now is pretty low, not because of our merit, but because our last competition was a low scoring show.
It's the last game of the regular season. We've lost once, but apparently, that game was in the preseason. That means play off games. I have mixed feelings. I like having school pride when we win. I don't really want to go. I'm going to be busy on Fridays until 5 or so, so i'll have to run home, eat, shower, dry my hair, and go to the game. My director said the play off games are required.
Post Competition:
That run was my best show: ever. I tried to exaggerate my dynamics, and my style was pretty good. I made one error. I thought we were one set ahead of where we were at that point. The general feeling from the band was that it was an awesome show. Guard, not so much. We got about an 89. Our biggest local competition got a 92.4.
It was phenomenal to hear the roar of the crowds as we marched on. They were more attentive since we were the home band. They clapped like crazy at our moments. It was great. I hope we do a home show again next year. We ran between the stands and the school many times.
The directors were pushing us hard. Even in our warm up time, they made us rehearse. There weren't any other competing bands, so we had the parking lot to ourselves. They pushed us hard all day.
On the ride home, my mom said something along the lines of how she thinks I'll do band next year. That's ironic, since she said last year that she didn't think I'd do it this year. My dad doesn't want me to join, but he's not going to prohibit me either.
P.S. The quote was something said by a tough guard instructor to the guard that stuck with me.
I'm not going to have time to blog tomorrow. It's our first ever home show, so there won't be any bus ride. In my mind, it's almost not like a competition because we'll be exhibition. My band director said that this is a really important score because it's out last score before championships. We'll be classified by ability for championships. Our score right now is pretty low, not because of our merit, but because our last competition was a low scoring show.
It's the last game of the regular season. We've lost once, but apparently, that game was in the preseason. That means play off games. I have mixed feelings. I like having school pride when we win. I don't really want to go. I'm going to be busy on Fridays until 5 or so, so i'll have to run home, eat, shower, dry my hair, and go to the game. My director said the play off games are required.
Post Competition:
That run was my best show: ever. I tried to exaggerate my dynamics, and my style was pretty good. I made one error. I thought we were one set ahead of where we were at that point. The general feeling from the band was that it was an awesome show. Guard, not so much. We got about an 89. Our biggest local competition got a 92.4.
It was phenomenal to hear the roar of the crowds as we marched on. They were more attentive since we were the home band. They clapped like crazy at our moments. It was great. I hope we do a home show again next year. We ran between the stands and the school many times.
The directors were pushing us hard. Even in our warm up time, they made us rehearse. There weren't any other competing bands, so we had the parking lot to ourselves. They pushed us hard all day.
On the ride home, my mom said something along the lines of how she thinks I'll do band next year. That's ironic, since she said last year that she didn't think I'd do it this year. My dad doesn't want me to join, but he's not going to prohibit me either.
P.S. The quote was something said by a tough guard instructor to the guard that stuck with me.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
"Always Work Hard, Be Honest, And Be Proud of Who You Are." {Competition #3}
Here's a good quote too long for the title:
"Marching band today isn't your grandmother or grandfather's marching band where the band walked out onto the field, stopped and played a couple of songs and walked off the field. These students are moving thousands of steps at high tempos all the while playing an instrument or using a piece of color guard equipment during one show."
~ John Carlin
The quote that's the tittle was said by Patricia Velasquez.
Okay, to make this post different, from here on out, I'm writing this post in third person.
As the marching band climbed on the bus to drive to there destination about an hour away, Alexis penned a couple of thoughts about marching band. First was frustration. She wanted to leave the football game early two days ago. The band was planned to arrive back at school at 11:30 or so, and she felt that she was going to be exhausted. Alexis was grumpy after competition #2, and she went to bed around 10:30 or so, and the competition today is much later. Another emotion by Alexis was one of a sense of fitting. She feels that she would miss the marching band community. A siren went off at the beginning of practice, and a hilarious upperclassman trumpet told the brass players to take their mouthpieces off and buzz with the siren. Only in the marching band. Jokingly, another flute player was told that Alexis felt left out.
*During rehearsal, the piccolos were called out for bad shoulders. The guard director (not the one who's said this in the past) told Alexis that her technique for marching backwards was good.
*Told by her marching band mentor, the band was one of two in the division. Her marching band mentor said that the other band isn't good. So Alexis knew from that moment that the band should get first. Another local band that was big competition wasn't at the competition.
*Alexis felt pretty confident. She felt that her part of the show locked in her mind. Previously, moving to a modified third position was a bit iffy, but it was more solidified in her mind after the three hour rehearsal.
*One other frustration was the amount of new material added to the show. The band was given a new sash to attach during the third part. They were only given one opportunity to practice attaching it to the Velcro that was sewn to the uniform. It wasn't at all graceful. It was more of a mad scramble to get it in the right place.
*Another frustration. A few weeks before, the band was given different music for the beginning of the ballad. Now, the directors wanted them to switch back to the original music. So for the ballad beginning, it was silent, music, different music, music. Alexis just wanted the directors to make up their mind and stick with it!
*A spin was added, too. It's horns up on one while spinning. Too much going on.
After Competition:
Everyone in the band felt that they had done well. Alexis made some little mistakes, but it's nearly impossible to have a perfect show. She got her sash across, but she didn't quite make her last set. The band was crammed in the stands. The poor band on the other side. They were crammed on both sides. Alexis, through marching band, has learned to do anything with gloves on. She can play and march the show with regular, uncut gloves, and she was writing with them on. Some people in the band were chatting with the band sitting near them. It was interesting to meet the "competition."
What Alexis is famous for in marching band:
1) Flinging fruit.
2) Not being able to get her lock open.
3) Always being prepared. She always has food.
After awards:
*First Place
*High Guard
*Seemingly tough judging
*Around an 84
*To Alexis, it didn't seem as much of a victory. A band mom told the band that they would need to get an 89 to keep up with the rest of the bands. The biggest local competition got an 87 at a different competition. Judging is different at every competition. Alexis felt that the band really needs to work for our upcoming competition.
Alexis started talking to an upperclassman whom she wouldn't normally have talked to. She found out that this year's seniors are 1/3 of the winds. The band is going to lose A LOT of people for next year. She told the upperclassman that she struggled, as an underclassman, to manage her time. She wanted to know how upperclassman with AP classes managed. She said that it's tough. The guard has had an undefeated streak for the past two years. Three years ago, the show was pointless. Four years ago, they were pretty good. The guard has been pretty good. Again, many of the really talented people will graduate.
"Marching band today isn't your grandmother or grandfather's marching band where the band walked out onto the field, stopped and played a couple of songs and walked off the field. These students are moving thousands of steps at high tempos all the while playing an instrument or using a piece of color guard equipment during one show."
~ John Carlin
The quote that's the tittle was said by Patricia Velasquez.
Okay, to make this post different, from here on out, I'm writing this post in third person.
As the marching band climbed on the bus to drive to there destination about an hour away, Alexis penned a couple of thoughts about marching band. First was frustration. She wanted to leave the football game early two days ago. The band was planned to arrive back at school at 11:30 or so, and she felt that she was going to be exhausted. Alexis was grumpy after competition #2, and she went to bed around 10:30 or so, and the competition today is much later. Another emotion by Alexis was one of a sense of fitting. She feels that she would miss the marching band community. A siren went off at the beginning of practice, and a hilarious upperclassman trumpet told the brass players to take their mouthpieces off and buzz with the siren. Only in the marching band. Jokingly, another flute player was told that Alexis felt left out.
*During rehearsal, the piccolos were called out for bad shoulders. The guard director (not the one who's said this in the past) told Alexis that her technique for marching backwards was good.
*Told by her marching band mentor, the band was one of two in the division. Her marching band mentor said that the other band isn't good. So Alexis knew from that moment that the band should get first. Another local band that was big competition wasn't at the competition.
*Alexis felt pretty confident. She felt that her part of the show locked in her mind. Previously, moving to a modified third position was a bit iffy, but it was more solidified in her mind after the three hour rehearsal.
*One other frustration was the amount of new material added to the show. The band was given a new sash to attach during the third part. They were only given one opportunity to practice attaching it to the Velcro that was sewn to the uniform. It wasn't at all graceful. It was more of a mad scramble to get it in the right place.
*Another frustration. A few weeks before, the band was given different music for the beginning of the ballad. Now, the directors wanted them to switch back to the original music. So for the ballad beginning, it was silent, music, different music, music. Alexis just wanted the directors to make up their mind and stick with it!
*A spin was added, too. It's horns up on one while spinning. Too much going on.
After Competition:
Everyone in the band felt that they had done well. Alexis made some little mistakes, but it's nearly impossible to have a perfect show. She got her sash across, but she didn't quite make her last set. The band was crammed in the stands. The poor band on the other side. They were crammed on both sides. Alexis, through marching band, has learned to do anything with gloves on. She can play and march the show with regular, uncut gloves, and she was writing with them on. Some people in the band were chatting with the band sitting near them. It was interesting to meet the "competition."
What Alexis is famous for in marching band:
1) Flinging fruit.
2) Not being able to get her lock open.
3) Always being prepared. She always has food.
After awards:
*First Place
*High Guard
*Seemingly tough judging
*Around an 84
*To Alexis, it didn't seem as much of a victory. A band mom told the band that they would need to get an 89 to keep up with the rest of the bands. The biggest local competition got an 87 at a different competition. Judging is different at every competition. Alexis felt that the band really needs to work for our upcoming competition.
Alexis started talking to an upperclassman whom she wouldn't normally have talked to. She found out that this year's seniors are 1/3 of the winds. The band is going to lose A LOT of people for next year. She told the upperclassman that she struggled, as an underclassman, to manage her time. She wanted to know how upperclassman with AP classes managed. She said that it's tough. The guard has had an undefeated streak for the past two years. Three years ago, the show was pointless. Four years ago, they were pretty good. The guard has been pretty good. Again, many of the really talented people will graduate.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
"One of the Best Ways We Set Ourselves Apart is That We Are Examples Of Success."
10-6-11
It's kind of frustrating rewriting the show. The director was trying to get the guard members through the band with all of the cuts. He was getting really frustrated with the way we were rehearsing, so we had to go to silent. I'm surprised. In warm up arc, I got the step outs of the new stuff.
10-7-11
Game: 10-7-11 Show: Auto mode Show
*I was complimented on my backwards style. My band director was giving feedback, and people were again told to watch me if they're near me in the show. That's like the third time in the last two weeks. Before he complimented me, he said that more people were trying the scissor style backwards marching instead of with knees. I guess that's why I stick out. I scissor my legs instead of using my knees. People started clapping after my marching band mentor told people,"This is where you clap." A few people congratulated me on the way back to the stands on my compliment.
*Lately, I can't march without playing or play without marching. Although it would be easier for me to play without marching. I know the show by notes. Okay, when I hit this B flat, I go backwards. We cut part of the closer, and I made mistakes when we were told just to march.
*I'm writing in the stands, and people asked me what I was doing. An upperclassman flute told me to write that flutes dominate. Here's his quote: "No other being can march the essence of awesomeness that radiates off the flute section when they take the field as one."
I have to say that the hardest part of continuing to blog is coming up with creative post titles.
It's kind of frustrating rewriting the show. The director was trying to get the guard members through the band with all of the cuts. He was getting really frustrated with the way we were rehearsing, so we had to go to silent. I'm surprised. In warm up arc, I got the step outs of the new stuff.
10-7-11
Game: 10-7-11 Show: Auto mode Show
*I was complimented on my backwards style. My band director was giving feedback, and people were again told to watch me if they're near me in the show. That's like the third time in the last two weeks. Before he complimented me, he said that more people were trying the scissor style backwards marching instead of with knees. I guess that's why I stick out. I scissor my legs instead of using my knees. People started clapping after my marching band mentor told people,"This is where you clap." A few people congratulated me on the way back to the stands on my compliment.
*Lately, I can't march without playing or play without marching. Although it would be easier for me to play without marching. I know the show by notes. Okay, when I hit this B flat, I go backwards. We cut part of the closer, and I made mistakes when we were told just to march.
*I'm writing in the stands, and people asked me what I was doing. An upperclassman flute told me to write that flutes dominate. Here's his quote: "No other being can march the essence of awesomeness that radiates off the flute section when they take the field as one."
I have to say that the hardest part of continuing to blog is coming up with creative post titles.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Competition #2
Thoughts:
*I've been complimented on my style for marching backwards lately. Yesterday, people were told if they were near me to watch me. Also, my band director said I was catching his attention for that.
*There was so much energy on the bus going in. People were laughing, talking, drummers were taping sticks, etc.
*I love getting notes from people. They were mainly about how I've improved a lot or how I'm a good flautist.
*I would in some ways really miss marching band if I didn't do it again next year. I'd miss the community. I wouldn't miss everyone in it, but I'd miss how everyone fits in somewhere. Also, it's a lot of fun.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Actual Journal:
I really need to stop eating candy. I got a candy bag from my section leader and from one of our drum majors. I'm all sugared up.
There's so much energy on this bus. People talking, singing, drummers taping sticks, etc.
I love getting notes from people. I got a note from my section leader and one from each drum major. All pretty much about how I've improves or how I'm a good flautist.
Apparently, it's raining there.
It feel so much later that it really is. It was only 3:45 when we left. It feels more like 5.
During the rehearsal, my band director said I was catching his attention for good marching skills backwards. That's my marching strength. Small backwards steps.
My friend has a ritual that she gets a coffee every morning. I just thought about how blogging is my ritual.
Our drum major, my marching band mentor was about to pray for the band, one of our pre-performance rituals, but she teared up. Our band President, my section leader, had to take over.
I can't wait for the award ceremony. The cheers will be so much fun.
I love marching band because everyone shares with everyone. You can get water from anyone, everyone shares food and candy. If you every forget anything, someone will lend it to you if they have an extra.
Our performance was pretty good. I did as well as I could have. The moments and dynamics were pretty good. The percussion thinks they did well. My drum line friend's mom said that they looked better than our band's arch rivals that won high percussion last time.
We're on the bus because it's pouring, and they don't want us getting sick.
We ended up getting first place, and as of now, I don't know if the percussion got high percussion and whether or not we got high auxiliary.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My mom was just commenting on how I must be exhausted. In some ways, they do drive us too hard. We practiced from 11-2:45, and we barely got any breaks. We didn't eat until 3, so we pretty much skipped lunch.
Also, a clarinet in my grade hurt her knee, so she asked last competition if she should march. Apparently, they made her. She might need surgery now. Wow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't wait for the rest of the season! it's going to be a tough rivalry between us and that other school whom we beat by .2 this competition!
*I've been complimented on my style for marching backwards lately. Yesterday, people were told if they were near me to watch me. Also, my band director said I was catching his attention for that.
*There was so much energy on the bus going in. People were laughing, talking, drummers were taping sticks, etc.
*I love getting notes from people. They were mainly about how I've improved a lot or how I'm a good flautist.
*I would in some ways really miss marching band if I didn't do it again next year. I'd miss the community. I wouldn't miss everyone in it, but I'd miss how everyone fits in somewhere. Also, it's a lot of fun.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Actual Journal:
I really need to stop eating candy. I got a candy bag from my section leader and from one of our drum majors. I'm all sugared up.
There's so much energy on this bus. People talking, singing, drummers taping sticks, etc.
I love getting notes from people. I got a note from my section leader and one from each drum major. All pretty much about how I've improves or how I'm a good flautist.
Apparently, it's raining there.
It feel so much later that it really is. It was only 3:45 when we left. It feels more like 5.
During the rehearsal, my band director said I was catching his attention for good marching skills backwards. That's my marching strength. Small backwards steps.
My friend has a ritual that she gets a coffee every morning. I just thought about how blogging is my ritual.
Our drum major, my marching band mentor was about to pray for the band, one of our pre-performance rituals, but she teared up. Our band President, my section leader, had to take over.
I can't wait for the award ceremony. The cheers will be so much fun.
I love marching band because everyone shares with everyone. You can get water from anyone, everyone shares food and candy. If you every forget anything, someone will lend it to you if they have an extra.
Our performance was pretty good. I did as well as I could have. The moments and dynamics were pretty good. The percussion thinks they did well. My drum line friend's mom said that they looked better than our band's arch rivals that won high percussion last time.
We're on the bus because it's pouring, and they don't want us getting sick.
We ended up getting first place, and as of now, I don't know if the percussion got high percussion and whether or not we got high auxiliary.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My mom was just commenting on how I must be exhausted. In some ways, they do drive us too hard. We practiced from 11-2:45, and we barely got any breaks. We didn't eat until 3, so we pretty much skipped lunch.
Also, a clarinet in my grade hurt her knee, so she asked last competition if she should march. Apparently, they made her. She might need surgery now. Wow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't wait for the rest of the season! it's going to be a tough rivalry between us and that other school whom we beat by .2 this competition!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Practice Does Not Make Perfect... Only Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
We're sitting on the bus, waiting to go to our first competition. It's raining. Ugh, I've never performed in the rain before.
The rehearsal actually wasn't too bad. I was complimented on my marching style in the third part moving to the diagonal. My shoulders were terrible, and people told me so, but no one can go through a rehearsal on competition day without being yelled at. We were told during warm up to think of one thing we were going to focus on, and I chose to focus on shoulders.
I've had a couple of competition day jitters. I forgot to take my Dinkles out of my uniform bag like we were supposed to. Also, I freaked out since I thought I forgot my gloves.
Apparently, we're the first band to perform in our division. I think we'll do okay, like in the middle. My drum line friend feels uber confident, but the drum line needs to listen to each other.
I feel really bad for a clarinet in my grade. She hurt her knee or ankle recently, and our directors made her march in practice
Afterwords:
We're done performing, and know we're watching another band. Overall, the performance was pretty good. I was fighting exhaustion. My calves hurt. I didn't make any errors too large, mostly not quite dressing perfectly. Apparently, something weird happened with the ballad beginning. Something like we didn't know the counts between the opener and the ballad, and we were losing steam as the show went on. My marching band mentor, now drum major, said she thought it was good. One judge, at the big moment, said that it was very good. Maybe it was the acoustics, but it sounded like we fell apart at some places.
After Awards:
We got second place out of fifth. Percentage wise, we did better last year. There were only five bands in our division, and last year there were eleven. We were kind of upset.
We had a cheering war with the band next to us. They were the band that beat us. It was a lot of fun.
When we got to the football game, which was changed to Saturday and frustrated us, we were told by one of our drum majors and out band director that some of the football players were excited that we showed up. I want to know if they were serious or sarcastic. Probably sarcastic, although there are probably some football players that actually enjoy having the band there. It seems like many of the players a cocky.
So that was my really busy Saturday, and now I'm tired.
The rehearsal actually wasn't too bad. I was complimented on my marching style in the third part moving to the diagonal. My shoulders were terrible, and people told me so, but no one can go through a rehearsal on competition day without being yelled at. We were told during warm up to think of one thing we were going to focus on, and I chose to focus on shoulders.
I've had a couple of competition day jitters. I forgot to take my Dinkles out of my uniform bag like we were supposed to. Also, I freaked out since I thought I forgot my gloves.
Apparently, we're the first band to perform in our division. I think we'll do okay, like in the middle. My drum line friend feels uber confident, but the drum line needs to listen to each other.
I feel really bad for a clarinet in my grade. She hurt her knee or ankle recently, and our directors made her march in practice
Afterwords:
We're done performing, and know we're watching another band. Overall, the performance was pretty good. I was fighting exhaustion. My calves hurt. I didn't make any errors too large, mostly not quite dressing perfectly. Apparently, something weird happened with the ballad beginning. Something like we didn't know the counts between the opener and the ballad, and we were losing steam as the show went on. My marching band mentor, now drum major, said she thought it was good. One judge, at the big moment, said that it was very good. Maybe it was the acoustics, but it sounded like we fell apart at some places.
After Awards:
We got second place out of fifth. Percentage wise, we did better last year. There were only five bands in our division, and last year there were eleven. We were kind of upset.
We had a cheering war with the band next to us. They were the band that beat us. It was a lot of fun.
When we got to the football game, which was changed to Saturday and frustrated us, we were told by one of our drum majors and out band director that some of the football players were excited that we showed up. I want to know if they were serious or sarcastic. Probably sarcastic, although there are probably some football players that actually enjoy having the band there. It seems like many of the players a cocky.
So that was my really busy Saturday, and now I'm tired.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Pre-Competition Things
Our first competition is tomorrow! I'm excited, but definitely not ready. The upperclassmen aren't harping on us as much as they did last year. I need to nail the end of the opener, solidify the very beginning of the ballad, and rehearse the end of the closer. Originally, we were told we were playing the ballad beginning, but then we were told the pit was playing, and now we're back to playing it again. Plus, they changed the counts so it fits with the music. My shoulders are absolutely terrible. Most of the time, they're on an angle. That's because no one's been reminding me, and marching band is so extremely big on multi-tasking. I can play and march most of the show with so-so style.
It's kind of frustrating. The team our football team is supposed to play had a schedule change, so the game's tomorrow. We'll have to rehearse, eat, change, drive, perform, change, wait, get awards, change, drive, change, play, perform, play, and drive home. It's going to be tiring. In some ways I'm glad, though. We'll be back late at night and have to get up relatively early the next morning. This way, we can go to bed early.
Yay! I'm so excited for tomorrow!
It's kind of frustrating. The team our football team is supposed to play had a schedule change, so the game's tomorrow. We'll have to rehearse, eat, change, drive, perform, change, wait, get awards, change, drive, change, play, perform, play, and drive home. It's going to be tiring. In some ways I'm glad, though. We'll be back late at night and have to get up relatively early the next morning. This way, we can go to bed early.
Yay! I'm so excited for tomorrow!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Four More Rehearsals
We only have four more rehearsals until our first competition. We lost five hours of practice in the last week due to the weather, so we had to stay an extra hour. It's was extremely hot. Almost hotter than band camp. I was exhausted, and plus I didn't have sunglasses, so I was pretty miserable.
Because of the weather, the football game schedule changed to tonight. I hate it when the band schedule changes because it screws my schedule over.
My band director was harping on us for style. Mainly shoulders and marching style. I realized that my shoulders are at an angle most of the time.
Because of the weather, the football game schedule changed to tonight. I hate it when the band schedule changes because it screws my schedule over.
My band director was harping on us for style. Mainly shoulders and marching style. I realized that my shoulders are at an angle most of the time.
Monday, September 5, 2011
First Football Game
Yay! The first of a string of practically a million football games. We won, which was nice.
The rehearsal before the game was four hours, but it wasn't too bad. It was the happiest I ever was to be at rehearsal. I had to go through a lot of work to get to it.
The performance was okay. One flutist who I stand next to for practically two thirds of the show was there for rehearsal but not for the game. That made it tough. I really depend on the people next to me. I just kind of know who I'm near in each set.
I told my mom how the flutist told my band director that she wasn't going to be there for the game. Now she said that if my band director let that person out, I should sign up to go on a retreat and just tell him I'm not going to be there.
I feel really bad about doing that, since I've already been late twice. It's kind of stressful balancing marching band, work, school, flute lessons, etc. My mom wants me to do band all four years, but my dad wants me to quit. He says that since I'm not thinking about making flute my career, why am I doing band. Also, I need to figure out what I'm doing with the rest of my life. He also said that high school is the time to do things that you enjoy, so he's not standing in my way.
The rehearsal before the game was four hours, but it wasn't too bad. It was the happiest I ever was to be at rehearsal. I had to go through a lot of work to get to it.
The performance was okay. One flutist who I stand next to for practically two thirds of the show was there for rehearsal but not for the game. That made it tough. I really depend on the people next to me. I just kind of know who I'm near in each set.
I told my mom how the flutist told my band director that she wasn't going to be there for the game. Now she said that if my band director let that person out, I should sign up to go on a retreat and just tell him I'm not going to be there.
I feel really bad about doing that, since I've already been late twice. It's kind of stressful balancing marching band, work, school, flute lessons, etc. My mom wants me to do band all four years, but my dad wants me to quit. He says that since I'm not thinking about making flute my career, why am I doing band. Also, I need to figure out what I'm doing with the rest of my life. He also said that high school is the time to do things that you enjoy, so he's not standing in my way.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Updates
Wow, I haven't posted for a while. Here are some updates.
1) School has started, and that means football season. Our first football game is tomorrow, which leads me to my second point.
2) My mom was talking to my boss, the one who makes the schedule, and somehow I was shifted to work tomorrow even though I hadn't written it down on my availability sheet that I could work. I have band practice tomorrow at practically the same time. I managed to get out of it.
3) Premiere night came and went. It stormed during the day, so we did a stand still run through inside. It was fine.
1) School has started, and that means football season. Our first football game is tomorrow, which leads me to my second point.
2) My mom was talking to my boss, the one who makes the schedule, and somehow I was shifted to work tomorrow even though I hadn't written it down on my availability sheet that I could work. I have band practice tomorrow at practically the same time. I managed to get out of it.
3) Premiere night came and went. It stormed during the day, so we did a stand still run through inside. It was fine.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Latest Happenings
So, a few things have happened.
*I can play and march a bit. I play and march the easier sets where I have the music memorized. I think I can march and play about 50% of all of the show we've learned.
*My band director singled me out to play a G flat in a higher octave. Not our music section leader or the freshman piccolo player. He wants it because it kind of adds an "eww" factor, and it's during the battle movement. I can get it out and play it for the duration, and I'm a loud player, so it will be heard. I just hope it's an easy set so I can play it.
*Freshman have been telling me what to do. I'm in the front of a line, and everyone else behind me have been trying to help me. They've told me to move to the left to be splitting, to be consistent to be easier for them, and other things like that. It's kind of annoying. I know they're just trying to help, but it's kind of annoying being told what to do by a freshman. By the end of the season, the freshmen will probably be better marchers than me. I need to get help from my marching band mentor so I can become better at taking bigger steps backwards.
*We learned most of the ballad. I know it, but I just need to get better at dressing and stuff.
*One frustrating thing about marching band is balancing it with work. We don't have band on Monday, but we were supposed to. So I'm working 9-1. If my director adds any competitions, I'm stuck. I can't get out of work. My school has block scheduling, and I have three core classes during marching band season. I'll manage. Somehow.
*One of the biggest things about marching band is you have to make it fun. Lately, it seemed as if the days had drug. Today, I felt as if I had a lot of energy and I had the glass is half full attitude. It made the day go a little faster.
Ironic Things:
*When people's appendages are suddenly cut off, they sometimes have phantom pains. I read this article about one person who felt their phone vibrating, but it wasn't. I could have sworn I heard the metronome going not during rehearsal.
*Our drum majors call us to attention for anything. Yesterday, they called us to attention while we were in the pool to tell us that the pizza was there.
I hope that's it. My mom's trying to kick me off the computer.
*I can play and march a bit. I play and march the easier sets where I have the music memorized. I think I can march and play about 50% of all of the show we've learned.
*My band director singled me out to play a G flat in a higher octave. Not our music section leader or the freshman piccolo player. He wants it because it kind of adds an "eww" factor, and it's during the battle movement. I can get it out and play it for the duration, and I'm a loud player, so it will be heard. I just hope it's an easy set so I can play it.
*Freshman have been telling me what to do. I'm in the front of a line, and everyone else behind me have been trying to help me. They've told me to move to the left to be splitting, to be consistent to be easier for them, and other things like that. It's kind of annoying. I know they're just trying to help, but it's kind of annoying being told what to do by a freshman. By the end of the season, the freshmen will probably be better marchers than me. I need to get help from my marching band mentor so I can become better at taking bigger steps backwards.
*We learned most of the ballad. I know it, but I just need to get better at dressing and stuff.
*One frustrating thing about marching band is balancing it with work. We don't have band on Monday, but we were supposed to. So I'm working 9-1. If my director adds any competitions, I'm stuck. I can't get out of work. My school has block scheduling, and I have three core classes during marching band season. I'll manage. Somehow.
*One of the biggest things about marching band is you have to make it fun. Lately, it seemed as if the days had drug. Today, I felt as if I had a lot of energy and I had the glass is half full attitude. It made the day go a little faster.
Ironic Things:
*When people's appendages are suddenly cut off, they sometimes have phantom pains. I read this article about one person who felt their phone vibrating, but it wasn't. I could have sworn I heard the metronome going not during rehearsal.
*Our drum majors call us to attention for anything. Yesterday, they called us to attention while we were in the pool to tell us that the pizza was there.
I hope that's it. My mom's trying to kick me off the computer.
Friday, August 12, 2011
"Striving For Success Without Hard Work is Like Trying to Harvest Where You Haven't Planted."
~Quote by David Bly
I'm absolutely exhausted. Yesterday, band was from 12-9. Today, it was from 8-5. I went to bed at 9:45 and woke up at 6:50. Nine hours.
We've gotten a couple of compliments as a band lately. One really tough guard instructor complimented us, saying that we sounded and looked good. Our main band director also complimented us, saying that the drill we've learned has been good, especially since we know more of the music than past shows at this point. I've also received a personal compliment from my band director. He stopped in an empty spot in our company front, probably wondering if there was a hole. I stepped over because there wasn't. He said that he hadn't heard my name in a while, meaning that I wasn't sticking out. I told him it was because none of the directors were looking at me.
One person merely quit abruptly. In some ways, I'm regretting my decision to sign up for marching band again, but I'm committed. If I quite, it will be at the end of the season.
I'm still not great at marching. More than once, upperclassman have yelled at me because I wasn't making my sets. That, or I would take step sizes too big. I've gotten a bit better at tracking the opener, probably just because I've worked with the music more.
I like the community feeling of marching band. On the way back from lunch, one person offered us chips that he had run to the local gas station for. I told him he should order a pizza the last ten minutes before lunch and then pick it up. Then my friend told him that he should sing his order. Also, the flute section is amazing. When we have sectional time, and we're supposed to be memorizing music, we bond. One person came by with a camera, so we tried holding our instruments to our lips and talking. It was hilarious.
The hours have been long, but the first week is done.
I'm absolutely exhausted. Yesterday, band was from 12-9. Today, it was from 8-5. I went to bed at 9:45 and woke up at 6:50. Nine hours.
We've gotten a couple of compliments as a band lately. One really tough guard instructor complimented us, saying that we sounded and looked good. Our main band director also complimented us, saying that the drill we've learned has been good, especially since we know more of the music than past shows at this point. I've also received a personal compliment from my band director. He stopped in an empty spot in our company front, probably wondering if there was a hole. I stepped over because there wasn't. He said that he hadn't heard my name in a while, meaning that I wasn't sticking out. I told him it was because none of the directors were looking at me.
One person merely quit abruptly. In some ways, I'm regretting my decision to sign up for marching band again, but I'm committed. If I quite, it will be at the end of the season.
I'm still not great at marching. More than once, upperclassman have yelled at me because I wasn't making my sets. That, or I would take step sizes too big. I've gotten a bit better at tracking the opener, probably just because I've worked with the music more.
I like the community feeling of marching band. On the way back from lunch, one person offered us chips that he had run to the local gas station for. I told him he should order a pizza the last ten minutes before lunch and then pick it up. Then my friend told him that he should sing his order. Also, the flute section is amazing. When we have sectional time, and we're supposed to be memorizing music, we bond. One person came by with a camera, so we tried holding our instruments to our lips and talking. It was hilarious.
The hours have been long, but the first week is done.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Band Camp Day II
Yay! Another day of band camp has gone by sucessfully.
One thing I don't like about band camp, besides the weather, is the schedule. In some ways, I'd rather have more four hour days than less eight hour days. That way I could do more on band camp days. Also, I find it hard to have energy and focus for an entire nine hours. Also, the first three days are 12 noon to 9:00. Friday and Saturday are 8-5. Thursday night, I'll go to bed around 10:15, and Friday morning, I'll get up around 6:50. Even my band director said that Friday morning comes fast. I'm exhausted, and I slept in until 8:00!
Yesterday was exhausting. At the end, I mentally checked out. I didn't want to check out, yet I still did. We learned this "follow the leader" set, and I didn't get it, so my section leader had to explain everything to me. Also, the sets we were learning were with the music that is a two measure phrase that repeats 14x.
I was just too overwhelmed to play. Plus, I missed 10 minutes to try on uniforms, so I was trying to make drill up. I could barely do everything they were asking of me.
The visual at the beginning is really annoying. We're laying on the ground, and the pavement was extremely hot.
Two down, I think six more to go! :)
One thing I don't like about band camp, besides the weather, is the schedule. In some ways, I'd rather have more four hour days than less eight hour days. That way I could do more on band camp days. Also, I find it hard to have energy and focus for an entire nine hours. Also, the first three days are 12 noon to 9:00. Friday and Saturday are 8-5. Thursday night, I'll go to bed around 10:15, and Friday morning, I'll get up around 6:50. Even my band director said that Friday morning comes fast. I'm exhausted, and I slept in until 8:00!
Yesterday was exhausting. At the end, I mentally checked out. I didn't want to check out, yet I still did. We learned this "follow the leader" set, and I didn't get it, so my section leader had to explain everything to me. Also, the sets we were learning were with the music that is a two measure phrase that repeats 14x.
I was just too overwhelmed to play. Plus, I missed 10 minutes to try on uniforms, so I was trying to make drill up. I could barely do everything they were asking of me.
The visual at the beginning is really annoying. We're laying on the ground, and the pavement was extremely hot.
Two down, I think six more to go! :)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Band Camp Day I
Yay! The first day of band camp 2011 was yesterday. It wasn't as bad as I had remembered. The weather wasn't as hot either. It rained off and on, and it felt absolutely amazing.
During dinner, my marching band mentor pulled me aside as I was walking around and asked me how I was doing. I told her that things are easier this year. Then another upperclassman who tried to help me last year came and told me I was doing a lot better. I remember last year, on the first day of band camp when we were connecting sets, I didn't know one goal was to keep shoulders square with the sidelines. So I marched facing the end zone. Now I know better. Also, I can march and play some, especially the beginning, where I know the music really well and the sets are easier to make. When we were handed drill sheets, I wasn't sure how much I remembered about reading them. I had forgotten until I had overheard someone say it that the left and right are from the director's point of view. I made fewer mistakes, like using the wrong 40.
One thing I still can't do is track. That's where music is played with the sets, but the marching is in basics block forward and backwards. I struggled with it because we just learned the step offs yesterday, so they were new. Also, I didn't know the music as well as I should.
Our director added the very first visual. I don't like it. I don't exactly know all of the counts, and it requires going down on one knee. On pavement, that's extremely painful.
An upperclassman who was a clarinet and now baritone said when I "interviewed" people of how they got marching down said that she doesn't count in her head, she listens. I'm trying to break my habit of counting in my head. Instead, I'm trying to play and know that when a certain note in a specific beat is played, I'm in this set.
So far, all of the drill we've learned seems as if I do a lot of dodging the colorguard, especially the ones with sabers.
The directors also changed my sets with another flute's. We practically had to go around each other to make this one set. So now, we have to chop our drill sheets in half and give them to each other. It makes my life a little easier for one set. It's still a backing set, but I don't have to go as far.
One day down, I think like seven more to go...
During dinner, my marching band mentor pulled me aside as I was walking around and asked me how I was doing. I told her that things are easier this year. Then another upperclassman who tried to help me last year came and told me I was doing a lot better. I remember last year, on the first day of band camp when we were connecting sets, I didn't know one goal was to keep shoulders square with the sidelines. So I marched facing the end zone. Now I know better. Also, I can march and play some, especially the beginning, where I know the music really well and the sets are easier to make. When we were handed drill sheets, I wasn't sure how much I remembered about reading them. I had forgotten until I had overheard someone say it that the left and right are from the director's point of view. I made fewer mistakes, like using the wrong 40.
One thing I still can't do is track. That's where music is played with the sets, but the marching is in basics block forward and backwards. I struggled with it because we just learned the step offs yesterday, so they were new. Also, I didn't know the music as well as I should.
Our director added the very first visual. I don't like it. I don't exactly know all of the counts, and it requires going down on one knee. On pavement, that's extremely painful.
An upperclassman who was a clarinet and now baritone said when I "interviewed" people of how they got marching down said that she doesn't count in her head, she listens. I'm trying to break my habit of counting in my head. Instead, I'm trying to play and know that when a certain note in a specific beat is played, I'm in this set.
So far, all of the drill we've learned seems as if I do a lot of dodging the colorguard, especially the ones with sabers.
The directors also changed my sets with another flute's. We practically had to go around each other to make this one set. So now, we have to chop our drill sheets in half and give them to each other. It makes my life a little easier for one set. It's still a backing set, but I don't have to go as far.
One day down, I think like seven more to go...
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Practice Makes Perfect
So, yeah, yesterday was our last five hour rehearsal before band camp.
-One of the sax section leaders asked me how I was liking piccolo. I told her that it seemed easier, since it's lighter and shorter. She said that I looked much better with it.
-I felt like I could almost take over the world. I could actually march and keep up with everyone skill wise. I hope I can play and march the show this season.
-Many new exercises were introduced because we had a different instructor than the one we had worked with. We did body turns with movement. That was hard, since we were marching, breathing in time, and turning out bodies. Our instructor said that kids our age can barely hold a book and walk, and we're expected to do many things at once. We also were introduced with another maneuver to change directions. Instead of a stab halt, we're stepping, rolling, and going. I got it after a few tries. Oh, the joys of working with different people.
-They're being really picky with us about everything. Horns up, articulation, step size, etc. Hopefully, that will make us better marchers.
-I surprised myself yesterday. We're being pushed to memorize the first movement of the show, even though we just got it a couple of days ago. I actually had G to I memorized.
-I'm trying to not hold last season's things against people this year. A few days ago, our band director gave us a pep talk on how marching band is "being a part of something much bigger than yourself." That means putting things aside to work hard and create something excellent.
-According to one flutist who switched to sax, sax is so much easier than flute. She said she picked it up in two days. When I asked her about it, she said she was never really good at flute, and I must have magic fingers.
-Still, when we march backwards, I never take a large enough step. I feel as if I don't have control of my upper body as my step size increases. That's one big thing I have to work on.
Now, I just have to survive band camp.
-One of the sax section leaders asked me how I was liking piccolo. I told her that it seemed easier, since it's lighter and shorter. She said that I looked much better with it.
-I felt like I could almost take over the world. I could actually march and keep up with everyone skill wise. I hope I can play and march the show this season.
-Many new exercises were introduced because we had a different instructor than the one we had worked with. We did body turns with movement. That was hard, since we were marching, breathing in time, and turning out bodies. Our instructor said that kids our age can barely hold a book and walk, and we're expected to do many things at once. We also were introduced with another maneuver to change directions. Instead of a stab halt, we're stepping, rolling, and going. I got it after a few tries. Oh, the joys of working with different people.
-They're being really picky with us about everything. Horns up, articulation, step size, etc. Hopefully, that will make us better marchers.
-I surprised myself yesterday. We're being pushed to memorize the first movement of the show, even though we just got it a couple of days ago. I actually had G to I memorized.
-I'm trying to not hold last season's things against people this year. A few days ago, our band director gave us a pep talk on how marching band is "being a part of something much bigger than yourself." That means putting things aside to work hard and create something excellent.
-According to one flutist who switched to sax, sax is so much easier than flute. She said she picked it up in two days. When I asked her about it, she said she was never really good at flute, and I must have magic fingers.
-Still, when we march backwards, I never take a large enough step. I feel as if I don't have control of my upper body as my step size increases. That's one big thing I have to work on.
Now, I just have to survive band camp.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
"The Best Way Around is Through" - Robert Frost
I thought I heard that quote, and that quote is so extremely true. No one can gain marching band experience without making it through a season. A couple of things to note, and since my posts don't ever transition well, I'm going to do bullet points.
-It was hot today, and we were outside the whole time. Another band was rehearsing in the band room, so we were outside. The heat got to the freshman piccolo. She leaned over, and my section leader took her away. Apparently she threw up and then she went home. I feel bad for her, but heat is one major component of marching band.
-This year is so much easier than last year. Even my marching band mentor noticed and told me. We were doing basics, and she told me so. I can mark time, and for the most part, use the correct foot and the correct time. It's a visual thing for me. When a drum major gives a down beat in 4/4 time, left foot. Also, the piccolo seems to be easier with angles, probably since it's lighter and not as long.
-My music section leader, who was drill section leader last year, started playing piccolo today. She
hadn't really played it before, but all you have to do to adjust is pick it up and play it. The piccolos really need to tune, especially the freshman. We were really out on the high E flats.
-One thing I've noticed is I take way too small step sizes when marching backwards. I feel as if I can't control my upper body as my step size increases. We were working on different step sizes, and I never made the larger ones. Sometimes, I can barely make the standard 8 to 5.
-I don't know why, but I got and wore new sneakers today, and I seem to march better in them, especially when we were marching backwards. My old shoes were running sneakers, and now I have cross trainers. The cross trainers are probably just lighter. Plus, the cross trainers have arch support. Towards the middle of the rehearsal, my feet started to swell. I just took my shoes off. My feet hurt by the end.
-Random things from today. Today was huge on articulations. Our articulations need to match. One annoying part of the opener is the 18x repetition of the same 2 measure melody. Ugh. Also, we have these crazy 16th note runs, and I can get them, and some of the other flautists can't yet. We started memorizing, or at least attempting to. I need a lot of repetition.
So there's my disjointed post. Basically, I'm glad this isn't my first year of marching band.
-It was hot today, and we were outside the whole time. Another band was rehearsing in the band room, so we were outside. The heat got to the freshman piccolo. She leaned over, and my section leader took her away. Apparently she threw up and then she went home. I feel bad for her, but heat is one major component of marching band.
-This year is so much easier than last year. Even my marching band mentor noticed and told me. We were doing basics, and she told me so. I can mark time, and for the most part, use the correct foot and the correct time. It's a visual thing for me. When a drum major gives a down beat in 4/4 time, left foot. Also, the piccolo seems to be easier with angles, probably since it's lighter and not as long.
-My music section leader, who was drill section leader last year, started playing piccolo today. She
hadn't really played it before, but all you have to do to adjust is pick it up and play it. The piccolos really need to tune, especially the freshman. We were really out on the high E flats.
-One thing I've noticed is I take way too small step sizes when marching backwards. I feel as if I can't control my upper body as my step size increases. We were working on different step sizes, and I never made the larger ones. Sometimes, I can barely make the standard 8 to 5.
-I don't know why, but I got and wore new sneakers today, and I seem to march better in them, especially when we were marching backwards. My old shoes were running sneakers, and now I have cross trainers. The cross trainers are probably just lighter. Plus, the cross trainers have arch support. Towards the middle of the rehearsal, my feet started to swell. I just took my shoes off. My feet hurt by the end.
-Random things from today. Today was huge on articulations. Our articulations need to match. One annoying part of the opener is the 18x repetition of the same 2 measure melody. Ugh. Also, we have these crazy 16th note runs, and I can get them, and some of the other flautists can't yet. We started memorizing, or at least attempting to. I need a lot of repetition.
So there's my disjointed post. Basically, I'm glad this isn't my first year of marching band.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Five Hours Rehearsal
We're done with the two hour rehearsals. Dang it. Five hours felt like an eternity. I am so extremely glad that this isn't my first year of marching band again. We were doing move E. That's eight steps forward, eight left, eight back, eight right. We didn't do that move last year, so it was new. I got an upperclassman sax to watch me, one who was kind of mean/bossy to me last year. She said that I looked good.
I'm officially playing piccolo. I asked my band director on Thursday if I could, and he agreed. Their was already a freshman on it, but he wants 3. The freshman had to audition, but I played piccolo in concert band, so I didn't.
The weather was kind of iffy today. Thunderstorms and rain. It rained during rehearsal. Last year on the first day of these five hour rehearsals it poured. It's a theme. Pouring rain on the first day of camp.
We also got part one and two. We already had part three. Part one is a separate piccolo part, and the rest are just the flute part. At the end of the ballad, there's a high A, which is already high on flute. It says piccolo over it. My marching band mentor told me that it was written, so play it. I blasted everyone out to produce the note. The freshman piccolo doesn't play well in tune, but she probably plays better dynamics. My marching band mentor has perfect pitch, so she tuned us. The freshman piccolo was really flat, and I was good. My director said he may cut the last note of the ballad down to one piccolo. He'll pick me if he wants in tune, but her if he wants it to die away. Tuning only applies if there are more than one piccolo player.
I'm officially playing piccolo. I asked my band director on Thursday if I could, and he agreed. Their was already a freshman on it, but he wants 3. The freshman had to audition, but I played piccolo in concert band, so I didn't.
The weather was kind of iffy today. Thunderstorms and rain. It rained during rehearsal. Last year on the first day of these five hour rehearsals it poured. It's a theme. Pouring rain on the first day of camp.
We also got part one and two. We already had part three. Part one is a separate piccolo part, and the rest are just the flute part. At the end of the ballad, there's a high A, which is already high on flute. It says piccolo over it. My marching band mentor told me that it was written, so play it. I blasted everyone out to produce the note. The freshman piccolo doesn't play well in tune, but she probably plays better dynamics. My marching band mentor has perfect pitch, so she tuned us. The freshman piccolo was really flat, and I was good. My director said he may cut the last note of the ballad down to one piccolo. He'll pick me if he wants in tune, but her if he wants it to die away. Tuning only applies if there are more than one piccolo player.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
If I Can Survive Band Camp, I Can Survive Anything
"Being out in that heat for two weeks definitely drains your energy."
~ Cobi Jones
This is definitely a good band camp quote. It made me smile when I saw it.
Today was another one of the two hour practices. Nine to eleven. We again went over warm ups and the basics of marching. We also started to rehearse and play the stand music. I seriously don't remember having any marching band anything until half way into July. My band director must have changed the schedule.
It was smoking hot out. I checked the temperature when I got home, and it was 100 degrees (obviously Fahrenheit.) I felt like a wilting flower. The heat was really getting to me, and we didn't get any drink breaks. I'm not looking forward to band camp. Band camp is like ten times these little rehearsals. I would have complained, but band camp is only going to be worse. :(
Today, since it's summer, we had some freshman that came for the first time today. Two of them were pulled aside by one of the drum majors and were worked with more individually. I really wish they would have done that for me last year.
In basics block, one of the drum majors commented and said that my marching / basics block skills looked good.
In some ways, I regret signing up for marching band again. The schedule's crazy between that, work, and the other things I have going on during the summer. I already committed, and plus it would be awkward explaining to people why I quit since I already signed up. Also, I have three core classes first semester, (my school has block scheduling) and that's going to be kind of difficult. Classes with a lot of work and managing a crazy marching band schedule. My dad thinks I should drop marching band after this year. He asked me, jokingly, why I wanted to subject myself to the torture of band camp. I think he thinks that I'll have more time to figure out what I want to do after high school, like take classes based on the career pathway which I'll take. So I'm not even thinking about if I'm doing marching band again next year.
~ Cobi Jones
This is definitely a good band camp quote. It made me smile when I saw it.
Today was another one of the two hour practices. Nine to eleven. We again went over warm ups and the basics of marching. We also started to rehearse and play the stand music. I seriously don't remember having any marching band anything until half way into July. My band director must have changed the schedule.
It was smoking hot out. I checked the temperature when I got home, and it was 100 degrees (obviously Fahrenheit.) I felt like a wilting flower. The heat was really getting to me, and we didn't get any drink breaks. I'm not looking forward to band camp. Band camp is like ten times these little rehearsals. I would have complained, but band camp is only going to be worse. :(
Today, since it's summer, we had some freshman that came for the first time today. Two of them were pulled aside by one of the drum majors and were worked with more individually. I really wish they would have done that for me last year.
In basics block, one of the drum majors commented and said that my marching / basics block skills looked good.
In some ways, I regret signing up for marching band again. The schedule's crazy between that, work, and the other things I have going on during the summer. I already committed, and plus it would be awkward explaining to people why I quit since I already signed up. Also, I have three core classes first semester, (my school has block scheduling) and that's going to be kind of difficult. Classes with a lot of work and managing a crazy marching band schedule. My dad thinks I should drop marching band after this year. He asked me, jokingly, why I wanted to subject myself to the torture of band camp. I think he thinks that I'll have more time to figure out what I want to do after high school, like take classes based on the career pathway which I'll take. So I'm not even thinking about if I'm doing marching band again next year.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Another Day of Band
Today was another day of band. Not band camp, but still band. School hasn't been out for two weeks, and we were already back at the place. It was raining, so we only spent a few minutes outside, and then we relocated a few times and worked basics in the gym. After that, we practiced music for the rest of the time. Warm up music, the fight song, and the national anthem.
In basics, we were doing new move sets (A, B, C, D, E, F.) We had done A, B, C, and D before. Move E is marching forward, left, back, and right, and move F is the opposite of that. The transitions were a little new. We hadn't officially done transitions last year. I couldn't get them in the minute that they were explained. The girl who can be perceived as mean told me to keep going even though I had messed up.
My section leader told me if that girl ever becomes to overbearing to tell her, and she'll go talk to her. This girl tries to help, but gets frustrated and can't explain things to me in a way that clicks. She's one of the girls that made me want to cry last year.
The band seemed to have really shrank from last year, and my band director needs baritones. He was looking for woodwind players to switch, but my reasoning against it was I struggled with marching enough with a light instrument I know how to play. One upperclassman who can be bossy and sometimes perceived as downright mean when she gets frustrated told me I should switch. I explained my reasoning. She said I would die on baritone in a tone I felt was snide.
In basics, we were doing new move sets (A, B, C, D, E, F.) We had done A, B, C, and D before. Move E is marching forward, left, back, and right, and move F is the opposite of that. The transitions were a little new. We hadn't officially done transitions last year. I couldn't get them in the minute that they were explained. The girl who can be perceived as mean told me to keep going even though I had messed up.
My section leader told me if that girl ever becomes to overbearing to tell her, and she'll go talk to her. This girl tries to help, but gets frustrated and can't explain things to me in a way that clicks. She's one of the girls that made me want to cry last year.
The band seemed to have really shrank from last year, and my band director needs baritones. He was looking for woodwind players to switch, but my reasoning against it was I struggled with marching enough with a light instrument I know how to play. One upperclassman who can be bossy and sometimes perceived as downright mean when she gets frustrated told me I should switch. I explained my reasoning. She said I would die on baritone in a tone I felt was snide.
Monday, June 20, 2011
The Beginning of The 2011 Marching Band Season
Today was the first practice or event for marching band. My first impression was that the band has really shrunk. People were prrobably on vacation or other places. There weren't that many freshmen, and no freshman flautists. It was so strange not having the seniors that already graduated and new, incoming freshmen.
We were in basics block, sort of going over what we do and doing a little bit. It was easier than it was last year, since I knew a little bit more of what I was doing. It felt so unfamilier to me at the beginning, since I hadn't marched in basics block in a long time. It was all relatively basic, just stretching and some simple direction changes. Things started to gradually come back.
After that, we went over warm ups. We haven't looked at any of the actual music or learned any sets yet. I'm so glad I have a little bit better of an idea of what I'm doing. It was kind of boring having my band director go over basic marching technique, but he kind of had to for the freshmen.
It's weird for me, not having last season's drum major. I have to reajust to the heat. We weren't really moving that much, but I was getting really hot.
I'm hoping this season will be easier than lasts!
We were in basics block, sort of going over what we do and doing a little bit. It was easier than it was last year, since I knew a little bit more of what I was doing. It felt so unfamilier to me at the beginning, since I hadn't marched in basics block in a long time. It was all relatively basic, just stretching and some simple direction changes. Things started to gradually come back.
After that, we went over warm ups. We haven't looked at any of the actual music or learned any sets yet. I'm so glad I have a little bit better of an idea of what I'm doing. It was kind of boring having my band director go over basic marching technique, but he kind of had to for the freshmen.
It's weird for me, not having last season's drum major. I have to reajust to the heat. We weren't really moving that much, but I was getting really hot.
I'm hoping this season will be easier than lasts!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day Parade 2011
Today was the 2011 Memorial Day Parade. My forethoughts were that I hadn't marched seriously in a long time. Even suiting up felt strange, but I'm so extremely glad that it's over. It was excruciatingly hot. We were all so happy for the occasional breeze. We had to meet in a local development at 8:00, so I woke at 7. A day off, and I had to wake up early.
For our parade, the order was a police car, some musicians in Civil War era clothes, another float, the high school marching band, and then some other floats/groups. The marching band order was two people carrying a flag, some rifles, and then the band.
The actual marching took about two hours. It was so extremely hot that I felt as if I was swimming in the sweat in my uniform. No wonder half of the marching band flautists didn't want to come.
One of the hardest parts for me was the Civil War musicians. They had drums, and we were playing against them. At first, it was kind of hard since the first drum I heard was their's. Some upperclassmen had to tell us to listen to our snare. Another hard part for me was staying in step 100% of the time, especially when we were playing. I didn't actually have the music memorized as well as I should have. For me, one of the easier parts was dressing.
Even my marching band mentor commented that I was dressing the whole time, and that I looked good, even though I haven't seriously practiced for about six months. I told her that it hopefully means I'll remember my skills some band camp. She said if not, we'll work on it. That was probably the best part of the whole parade.
I've decided that I'm just going to call her my marching band mentor, since she was the one who approached me and asked me to come early to give me individualized help with exactly what I needed, where the other experienced people just told me what I was doing wrong. This person is half drum major next year, but the drum major still does basics block with us, so if I need help, I can ask her. Apparently, the first day of band camp when I marched like a duck, I became her project.
I seriously don't know what people did without cell phones. I was used to middle school parades, where the end point was at a church. I didn't realize this year that we would loop around to end at the cemetery. I told my mom to meet me at the church. So the end of the parade comes, and I called home. I barely missed my mom. So I called her cell, but she forgot it. I had to catch a ride down to the church with my marching band mentor. Fortunately, my mom was there.
This is the last thing we're doing as a marching band for this season, and I'll really miss some of the seniors. The band is going to different next year.
Next year, my mom is going to the parade, since my brother and I will both be in marching band. I'm not looking forward to the heat of that or band camp...
For our parade, the order was a police car, some musicians in Civil War era clothes, another float, the high school marching band, and then some other floats/groups. The marching band order was two people carrying a flag, some rifles, and then the band.
The actual marching took about two hours. It was so extremely hot that I felt as if I was swimming in the sweat in my uniform. No wonder half of the marching band flautists didn't want to come.
One of the hardest parts for me was the Civil War musicians. They had drums, and we were playing against them. At first, it was kind of hard since the first drum I heard was their's. Some upperclassmen had to tell us to listen to our snare. Another hard part for me was staying in step 100% of the time, especially when we were playing. I didn't actually have the music memorized as well as I should have. For me, one of the easier parts was dressing.
Even my marching band mentor commented that I was dressing the whole time, and that I looked good, even though I haven't seriously practiced for about six months. I told her that it hopefully means I'll remember my skills some band camp. She said if not, we'll work on it. That was probably the best part of the whole parade.
I've decided that I'm just going to call her my marching band mentor, since she was the one who approached me and asked me to come early to give me individualized help with exactly what I needed, where the other experienced people just told me what I was doing wrong. This person is half drum major next year, but the drum major still does basics block with us, so if I need help, I can ask her. Apparently, the first day of band camp when I marched like a duck, I became her project.
I seriously don't know what people did without cell phones. I was used to middle school parades, where the end point was at a church. I didn't realize this year that we would loop around to end at the cemetery. I told my mom to meet me at the church. So the end of the parade comes, and I called home. I barely missed my mom. So I called her cell, but she forgot it. I had to catch a ride down to the church with my marching band mentor. Fortunately, my mom was there.
This is the last thing we're doing as a marching band for this season, and I'll really miss some of the seniors. The band is going to different next year.
Next year, my mom is going to the parade, since my brother and I will both be in marching band. I'm not looking forward to the heat of that or band camp...
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I Must Be Going Crazy
I think I'm going crazy. I'm actually considering signing up for marching band again. I think I'm going to do it. Of course, there are somethings that I'm not looking forward to, but it comes with the activity.
We were sitting in concert band today, and my band director was giving us his speech how it's a middle of the road commitment. Not as much as football or something like that, but more than cross country. He said how someone had approached him in church, and said that she heard that the marching band practice every weekend and every week during the summer and fall. I had to know if it was my mom, and yeah, it was. He said," Yes, Alexis, it was your mom." Everyone who heard me started cracking up.
That just shows me how much I've learned over the past season. At least I won't be as clueless this season, and I won't have to start from scratch.
I think I have next marching band season to look forward to!
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