I won't ever rehearse with the marching band again.  I'm sad.  I hugged my fellow senior piccolo marching band member because we've survived a lot together.  I'm sad.  I have one more run with my school.

My dad, who hasn't advocated for my membership in the band, gently reminded me to soak up today and the finality of today.

It feels like just yesterday that I was a freshman, feeling like I had all the time in the world. 

I don't think we'll place well because of our early time slot.  We compete first: a small crowd and sunny sky.  Oh well.  We had an hour practice to supplement our Friday practice instead of a long practice.  I'm glad, although we need practice.  No amount of practice would ever suffice.  We got fourth my first year, then sixth, then sixth.  I would love to get better than sixth, although I'm not optimistic. 

Oh well, I'll remember laughing with the piccolos, cheering with the band, yelling stupid sayings at the award ceremonies, talking to my close friend on the bus ride, untaping her sticks.  As par tradition, the guys did a shirtless last run through, although we wore our suspenders.  They looked ridiculous in the band pants without a shirt.  It made me laugh.  Placing well would just be icing on the cake.  
~
No more performances with my school ever, ever again.  It's so bittersweet.  I shared my lasting memory about that one blasted set I couldn't make freshman year and what our director said to me. 

When I say I fought, I mean I fought.  The wind blowing ferociously, I couldn't play part one.  Lovely.  During a hold in part five, I had to step out to catch my balance.  I had to stand there with my foot out for a very long time until we moved.  Oh well.  I couldn't help it. 

Some say that we did well, others didn't say so much.  We'll see.

So, I doubt I'll forget that someone got the pizza place employee to sing,"Can you feel the love tonight?" To the two young adult leaders who we've matched together.  It was really funny and memorable.  

~
We finished with a disappointing 11th out of 13th place.  Oh well. With odds stacked against us, we did the best we could.  It wasn't our fault that we went first and that the 20 mph winds whipped around us.  Every year, I'm not satisfied with our placing and then we rank worse.  From fourth to eleventh.  Oh well. 

I'll remember the cheering and friends and funny moments with the band.  I'll eventually forget our placings, although placing well is exciting.

My last season may not be particularly memorable for placings, but I made fun memories this year.  

Championships Weekend

In exactly two days, forty eight hours, I will be marching my very last show for my school ever.  The reality hasn't hit yet.  Never, ever again will I stress over balancing band rehearsal and school work.  I'll obviously have other worries.  The other last year marching band members and I will all deliver our speeches.  How am I here?  I can't believe it.  I haven't cried yet.

We perform first because our director didn't submit our fee on time, which really frustrates us.  We perform first, in the daylight and without much of an audience.  I don't know how well we'll do.  I would like to beat sixth place as we've gotten sixth for the past two years.  Oh well, whatever.  I've enjoyed this season.

I gave my senior speech just now.  Whenever I speak, I always have something that I want to add later.  I quickly paraphrased my selected blogposts because of the time limit.  Yeah, my senior speech was essentially about me.  Oh well, I wanted to share the ideas of never giving up and enjoying every minute. 

Although I haven't named people by name, people might know to whom I referred.  That's not a good idea.  Oh well.  Personal feelings.

I went to the last football game while I attend this school: ever.  I can't believe it.  No more required games or attendance.  

The Beginning of The End

In eight days, I will never suit up for my high school marching band ever again.  I will never put this uniform on again or march another show.  We marched our final show on our home football stadium last nigh.  Sigh.  I'll miss marching band. 

I don't have my countdowns for mean reasons: I have countdowns to remind myself that I don't have much time left at all.  I'll give my senior speech in 8 short days.  Four more practices. That's it.

We probably won't place well tonight.  This season hasn't been good at all for placings.  Oh well, I've enjoyed other aspects of band.  This year may not have been good for placings, but I've enjoyed it.

I'll remember untaping sticks on the way to competitions for one of my closest friends, yelling stupid things at award ceremonies, laughing with the piccolo section, making new friends through band.  This is what matters.  Soak.it.up.  

We performed.  Our directors kept reiterating that we raised our own standards and our bar, even from last week.  Although we didn't quite have the performance quality and feeling from this show.  My marching band mentor's mom personally told me that the show's music and forms were better than last week.

As tradition, our director did the piccolo cheer with us.  I was in the middle of telling a my first year story about that set in the opener I couldn't make.  We all told a MY first year story, even our director.  I'll miss marching band.  I wouldn't have thought so my first year.

I realized that, as I grow older, I make less and less major mistakes.  I just tend to go on autopilot more often. 

Post Awards:
Ahh!  We got second of five!  I'm so excited and so glad that we didn't get last.  Before they began to announce our division, I said that I'd be happy with fourth because I didn't want to get last.  As they announced fifth, then fourth, then third my sense of excitement and anticipation grew.  We placed well at this competition.  We haven't experienced the sense of anticipation as the announcers call the lower placings and work their way up for a long this feeling's amazing.  Wonderful. 

Our overall score has improved by 18 points.  Wow.  Perhaps we'll win most improved.

Sitting in front of us was our BIGGEST local rival band from the past two years.  It really got me that that band acted so rudely to us at championships last year.  We instigated a voluntary cheering war with that band.  "We've got spirit, yes we do.  We've got spirit, how 'bout you?" Back and forth a few times.  I'm SO GLAD that this band isn't in the same size division as us.  Even though we don't compete against them, I'm still frustrated with them.  Oh well.  A different local band that beat us twice because they don't move during more difficult musical passages wasn't at this competition, fortunately.  I'm tired of that band.  

SENIOR NIGHT

As tonight is senior night, a football game dedicated to the senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members, I thought about the changes in marching band.

We get home pretty early from home football games.  I used to think that home games were so late.  Geeze, everything was a late night for me.  Now, 11:00 really isn't that late.

I have just thought about all the upperclassmen who helped me in marching band.  Where has all the time gone?  We only have 8 short days left.  Forever: for those in my class.

#piccproblems #noughsaid

I, along with many others the same year as I am, have experienced band burn out.  After four seasons, I'm so done.  Seven more practices.  Hallelujah!  I can't wait never to hear, "3,2,1, you're in, set." I'm tired of being pushed and pushed and pushed.  The main guard director tried to give us a peptalk about can't vs. Won't because people have chose not to play.  Well, if I make a sound on the piccolo, I'm so happy. 

The piccolo section had a mini party at a local pizza restaurant.  We laughed so much and had so much fun.  As we attempted to eat the hot food, we had mishaps.  One girl turned the french fries so that the cheese would wrap around, I plopped a big glop of cheese in my mouth as I can't bite.  We made it a joke today to say #piccproblems #noughsaid That's because I'm better than you.  I'll miss laughing and cheering with the band.  I'll miss that and my friends.  Other than that, I'm so done with band. 

We rehearsed better than we usually have, although not disciplined at all compared to my first year.

We'll compete against two other bands, including one that beat us.  We'll see.

Post performance:

It made me laugh that a judge stupidly decided to walk into the middle of our circle set that we slide across the field.  That was the stupidest place he could have stood at that moment.  He quickly ran out before we slid.

Because we performed towards the end of the night, the stands held more people.  As we performed, I thought about how the audience understood and seemed to "get" our show as they clapped enthusiastically at our big moments.  Our big wood passing diagonal looked like a good diagonal.  Our company front was better than it was today.  Overall, it was my best performance to date.  I have tunnel vision and can only concentrate on how well I myself did.  

I won't be able to sing in church due to my sore voice.  We screamed and yelled, spirited. 

We got last place.  Ugh.  Oh well.  That was one of the best performances I could have done.  A local band that has imrpoved a lot since last year won first.  Frustrating, yes.  Oh well.

I'll remember laughing with the piccolo section and cheering with band at award ceremonies. 

Last Away Game

The football team lost its last away game today. We all shivered uncontrollably in the stands, although I wore five pairs of pants and five shirts.  I am the marching band snowman for a reason. 

I anticipate the last football game as I don't really enjoy the sport.  After 40 some games in my marching band career, I'm so done with football.  I remind myself that the season's coming to a close and that I must make the most of every moment instead of wishing it away.  Although it's hard. 

Nearing This Season's End

I always vow not to do something and then end up doing the very action I vowed not to.  At the end of last year's marching band season, the last year marching band members were so tired of marching band and just wanted it to end.  I had hoped to have a great, memorable season, marked by a close band and high ranking performances.  But placings and awards don't last: memories do.  In some ways, I feel exactly like they did.  I'm ready for marching band to end; however I know that my very last performance with this marching band is approaching very quickly.

I anticipate not having long rehearsals every single Tuesday and Thursday and having the stress of managing my time with band and school, not hearing, "3,2,1, set" and all the phrases to try to make us rehearse with more discipline, not being pushed and pushed and pushed beyond my limits.  Sorry I can't kneel on the ground or play: I sustained a substantial injury here.  I attend practices, unlike some other people who may very well have a legitimate excuse.

I'll miss the spirit of the marching band as well as the camaraderie I have with most of the marching band.

Life's Ironic Nature

I thought of the ironic nature of life, especially lately in marching band.  I started and may end my marching band career by marching and not playing: my first year because I didn't know how to process all of the show's components and my last year because I physically can't play.  

I held a piccolo to my lips because I can't march when I don't play as I process the show entirely by the music.  I couldn't form my lips right.  I then ran in during a drink break to try a flute because the bigger instrument doesn't require such tight, precise lips.  In vain I tried to play a note: an easy note at that. 

Our band director doesn't understand that I CAN"T play.  He thinks I just need to use my facial muscles.  Well, my teeth are essentially in a cast and my lips are still swollen.  I could play just as well as I could after I got my braces on/off, my wisdom teeth out, any other dental procedure.  Yes, my facial muscles didn't have as much endurance, but I could still play.  

Because this is my last year, I wanted to go on Fall Retreat with my youthgroup.  Surprisingly, our director let me out of the Friday game and rehearsal that Saturday for the competition.  I'm shocked that he didn't say that I had to be at the game and rehearsal.  He was surprisingly and fortunately (for me) gracious considering that I won't have this opportunity again. 

I have a month left in marching band.  In one month, I won't ever perform with my school's marching band again.  I'll miss marching band because it gives me common ground to discuss with my friends whom I've met and gotten to know in band and also because I've invested so much time, energy, stress in marching band.  My life will change next Summer and Fall when I won't have marching band.  After four years of having marching band constantly during the Summer and Fall, I'll feel like I'm skipping. 

Twists & Turns in the Road

It's been an interesting week to say nonethless: a good week, but still an interesting one at that.  I feel rollerblading, displaced four teeth, needed four stitches in my lip, severely re-bruised my knees; therefore, I can't march or play for a while.  What does that mean?

Well, I went with the band to the game yesterday.  I had to walk from the school to the stadium and then back after the game.  It was really weird to sit in the stands alone in full uniform not performing with the rest of the band, although hearing the band warm up and then watching them perform made me glad that I've done marching band for four years.

What frustrates me is the lack of communication: someone along the way has dropped the ball.  We originally had a competition on the 12th: we now don't have one that day and instead have one the 26th.  I made other plans on the 26th, assuming that we didn't have band that day.  That competition is in three weeks.  I don't have much time to change my plans.  Other band members have similar problems.

Last First Competition

Our directors said that we accomplished a lot and improved a lot this week, although our performance and work ethic didn't match.  So many people sat out and watched or didn't come due to either real or imaginary ailments   That wouldn't have been accepted all my first year.  It just frustrates me how the band gets less and less disciplined every year. 

Yesterday's show was horrible.  One kid's reed flew off.  We couldn't hear the cue to start part 4: we all just stood there for a little while until someone went and then everyone followed suit. 

So,last year marching band members get awards and do a salute that requires synchronization and therefore a beat.  The percussionists all want to do a salute together, although I don't think that's a very good idea because it may be better to have a percussionist each time to keep time.  Well, the two percussionists I mentioned this to said in an haughty tone that we should be able to keep a beat.  I'm used to playing to a steady beat, not choosing the tempo and clapping the beat.  I'm used to matching a tempo to how fast I can go, not the other way.  I really must think and count carefully as I attempt to clap the beat as we warm up.  Whatever, I wouldn't be a very good drum major for this reason.

we got second of two: we have never gotten last at a competition. It surprised me because the band that beat us got 9th or 10th at championships last year, although they've competed twice this season.

With another band member and two guard members, I went down to salute and accept the award. We got high percussion and high guard. I accept the percussion award much to my dismay because a percussionist who earned the honor should have accepted the award instead of me. I felt so self conscious in the spot light, especially because we didn't have much time to prepare and therefore didn't exactly know what we were doing. It was cool to accept the award on behalf of our screaming, cheering band.

Our show went fairly well, I talked to two baritones about some new members who either don't understand marching band or don't care.  It frustrated me.

We've endured a lot this season: one trumpet quit after missing most of the season, an athlete quit because she couldn't manage her sport and band, a small new member couldn't manage the heavy tenor drums.  We have holes on the field where they would have been. 

When I got home, I sent a Facebook message to my marching band member who really helped me learn to march.  She wrote a book her last year specifically for drum majors, although she recommended that I look in to it because she talks about leadership too.  She told me that I've improved a lot in four years and that I'm the epitome of success in marching band.  I had such poor posture that I marched like a duck and didn't know how to process the music, the marching, the visuals.  I had better have improved since then.  With her advice, I guess I must remember that I can encourage and try to help, but one must ultimately make the decision to want to improve   It just frustrates me that some fellow leadership team members don't care either.

Marching Band Frustration

It was nice to have a day off from a football game, although we had the game Saturday.  

I don't particularly love football games because I feel alienated in the stands some times as my friends are all in different sections and because I don't particularly enjoy football itself.  Though I remind myself that I must soak up every moment because I have so few days left in marching band. 

With our first competition coming up soon, our directors have put the pressure on seniors and section leaders to pressure the band.  Some new members just don't "get" marching band: Neither I nor anyone else knows how to help them.  We try telling them, yelling at them, correcting them and it doesn't work. I just try to encourage them when they do something well. 

Band Consumes My Life

We're riding the bus home from a far away football game.  We have a relatively early morning practice tomorrow.  Wonderful: I'll probably be exhausted.

Aside from that, our band isn't very good.  The tempo pulled all over the place.  On the positive side, we didn't pull apart as much as we did last week: last week's performance was horrible.

During yesterday's practice, we practiced on a different parking lot without a lift or microphones for our directors; however, we got much done because we really had to listen because we couldn't hear our directors otherwise.

I've started to burn out from band.  I just get so tired and worn going home from school, doing my homework, eating dinner, and then running out the door for band.

Before we boarded the bus to travel to the football game tonight, some trumpet players tried to help the new piccolo player who reminds me of me because marching band hasn't come quite as easily for her.  I told her not to be too hard on herself but to try because everyone understands marching band at different rates.  I remember what it was like to have older marching band members yelling at me and correcting me constantly: some more kindly than others.  I really don't want to yell and scream or be unkind to her because I remember how it felt and it's not her fault that marching band hasn't clicked yet.

I set a countdown timer for the date of Championships: 56 short more days until marching band is over forever. :/  I have mixed feelings about marching band: no more stress about juggling band with school work, but not so much time with my friends as most participate in marching band too.  Soak.it.up.

Awkward Senior Circle

I actually had energy during rehearsals this week.  It was wonderful.  I really tried to set a better example as a section leader by staying set after we finished running a chunk of the show and by saying,"Still set."  I feel like such a poor example of a leader when I unintentionally give bad advice or when I don't have energy. 

Our performance at last night's game didn't go well at all.  Our director didn't even comment at all as he usually does.  Every movement, different instrumental sections played at different tempos.  I couldn't focus at all.  During a body movement during a hold, I accidentally moved at the wrong time.  Oh well.  No one probably noticed/remembers and I'm not perfect. 

During the anthem, our director conducted the second strain differently than he ever had.  He didn't give us a prep breath or something like that.  We all stopped playing while he conducted a few beats more and then entered as he quietly said "Come on" or something like that.  It was really bad.  After the game, he said that we will talk about the anthem on Tuesday: I really think that that one was his fault.  I'm just really glad that we all stopped together and that it wasn't just one person going along with our director. 

Bands have a tradition at football games where the home senior marching band members go and visit the away seniors at the away stands to talk.  Our director dubbed it "awkward senior circle" because it can be awkward.  It was hilarious.  One girl from my school said that everyone would say his or her name, instrument, and favorite Disney character.  We answered straightforwardly, the other school answered ridiculously.  "Yeah, I play the marching harpsichord..."  One guy from my school towards the end said that he played the marching double base.  So a guy from the other school went up to him, hugged him, and said that they have a new bromance.  They had their arms around each others' waists.  So the guy from the other school felt something in the guy from my school's pocket and asked (as if they were really close friends) what he had in his pants.  Everyone died laughing.  It was hilarious. 

My Favorite Parts of Marching Band

I've been crazy enough to join marching band three more times, even though I knew what the season would entail.  Why have I agreed to participate in marching band?

1) Most of my friends are involved somehow in marching band or band in general: It gives us that uniting bond in common.  At lunch, we'll sometimes discuss the show, how practice went, whether or not we think that we're prepared. Therefore, marching band has given me my "identity" as a music person. 

 2) I like yelling stupid things at award ceremonies as they announce which band got which place and cheering once we know what place we got.  One year, our biggest, most unsportsmanlike like competitors got into a cheering war with us.  The cheered, "Give me a 'J' 'E' 'S' 'U' 'S:'"  In response, a funnier and more sarcastic marching band member had us spell out ""B' 'U' 'D' 'D' 'A'" after he proclaimed that no one could compete with Jesus.

3 ) I enjoy being completely in sync with everyone around me.  Because we don't have a drum major, we must listen very carefully to the other musicians around us and especially to the drum line.  I like hearing people count out loud, completely with me, knowing that we're all together. On a bigger level, everyone must work together for the show to work. 

4) In one move that we have in the opener, I like that everyone around me marches forward together: I can count on the other marching band members to be there. 

Last First Football Game

Others in my grade level got weepy at my mentioning of our last first football game ever.  I thought that I overheard a girl say that my countdowns don't help.  I don't mean them to make others cry; however, I like countdowns to remind me to make the most of every moment.  It's so hard in the heat or when I'm so tired or when a director yells at the leaders to set a better example essentially.

As my mom said, a majority of my friends participate in band in some form: marching band, guard, concert band.  I'm glad that I've done marching band over the past couple years because it gives me that common bond with my friends.

Marching band has also taught my volumes about leadership and commitment that I wouldn't have learned anywhere else.

I've realized that I can't stop time or go back in time; therefore, I must savor every moment.  Here's a Haiku about savoring life.
Time's zooming forward
Make every moment count.
Don't wish it away.

I just feel that the band worsens every year.  We become less and less disciplined.  I just wish I had the energy to lead better and to set a better example.

We lost badly against the team that we beat soundly my first year in marching band.  Like everything else, everything glitters less as the years continue and I grow more wise about the world.

Leadership

All I can say is, I've learned volumes about leadership that I wouldn't have learned anywhere else: I got to see which leadership styles work and which ones not so much in my younger years in marching band and I have the responsibility of leadership now that I'm older.

Yesterday at rehearsal, one section didn't have the best work ethic.  One guard instructor essentially called all of the older members poor examples for the younger members.  Every time I get to band, I automatically feel drained, as if I have no energy.  I must drag myself through each rehearsal.  Perhaps I just have a sugar crash or need more sleep or feel weary from all of these expectations on me to lead.

Every season, I feel as if the band's work ethic gets worse and worse.  I want to place well at Championships this year.  At least we're going to smaller competitions this year; therefore, we'll do well.

Last Parent Preview

My class' last parent preview was tonight.  It was so hard to believe that I couldn't march and play at the same time three short years ago.  Time really goes quickly.  

I feel like such a poor leader, especially when our director mentions what the leadership team should have done during down time or when I accidentally give bad advice.  Oh well, I'm not perfect.

Leadership

I feel like such an inadequate leader because I should work harder in marching band by running back to set and staying set after we finish a chunk; however, I always feel so tired and worn down whenever I go to band, especially because I've worked 4.5 hours before band every day this week.  I don't enjoy running and we don't know exactly when to relax.  I feel like such an inadequate leader compared to the section leaders of my first year.

We have our first performance tonight: I don't think that we're ready.  We improved a lot in rehearsal yesterday because the directors pushed the leadership team (which I'm on) to push the band harder and to set the example.  We really could use more time to practice.

I draw energy from an intense, fast paced rehearsal: until I practice reaches full speed, I feel so drained.

I have so much respect for good leaders now.

A Swiss Cheese Practice

We had so many missing people at yesterday's rehearsal due to last minute vacations, the orientation for those new to the school, and other random excuses.  Even our main band director wasn't there. 

At first, we only had 15 wind players: 1/3 of our actual number.  No one wanted to do anything: I had trouble getting anyone to do anything.  I finally said to the few who thought that we should warm up to go around the corner and start warming up and just to leave the other lazy people there.  Surprisingly and fortunately, everyone followed.  We had an abbreviated warm-up and basics session.  A fellow piccolo player said that I did a good job leading, especially because one of the other leader candidates "lead" the laziness. 

Eventually, people started to trickle back to rehearsal.

I told one new band member that he needs to march backwards into his set: he usually forgets until I yell to back into it.  I can't get mad or frustrated at him because I've struggled just as he has: I've seemingly ignored the corrections of the older members when I couldn't process everything.  He tries. 

I told the new piccolo who is more like me that I honestly didn't completely remember the drill: She told me that my honesty made her feel better because she doesn't know it well either.  

I just get so tired in marching band.  I drag myself through rehearsal. 

No More Band Camp!

I still can't believe that I had my last day of band camp today, unless I decide to join marching band in college: No more band camp with my school ever, ever again.  No more weeks of 9 hour days in which I spend much more time with the band than I do with my own family, no more weeks of such intense heat, no more weeks of practically agony.  It's bittersweet because I don't have another opportunity to participate in this band after this; however, I won't miss the heat, the humidity, the agony.

Our director let the leadership team candidates lead warm-ups today: I ran half of the music warm-up.  It was so weird tapping the beat and calling my fellow band members to attention instead of playing the warm-ups and coming to attention myself.  Weird, but amazing at the same time.  Even after three full seasons of marching band, I still didn't know how to hold the block and stick to tap the beat.  Sad, pathetic.

I'm really not that sad yet because we still have a whole season of marching band.  I just want to enjoy band and do well at the competitions, as we especially did my first year.

We did a run through of the entire show that we know so far -- a well intended, but pathetic attempt.  No one could remember the third part because the directors haven't given us the opportunity to connect each piece or review what we already knew.  In my opinion, they've tried to shove the show down our throats and teach it to us as fast as they can.

Well, that's why we still have an entire season to rehearse.

[ALMOST] The End of Band Camp

I think we have our last day of band camp tomorrow -- a surreal idea.

We voted for the members of the leadership team.  No set number, everyone just voted "yes" or "no" for each candidate.  I hope that I'll be part of this team because I enjoy helping and leading and it will look good for college and NHS applications.

While our director explained the voting, he mentioned some leadership characteristics such as dedication, punctuality, ability to adapt to change, attitude.   Yeah, I don't feel like the best leader after he reminded the band of those characteristics. 

It's funny and neat seeing how my peers take on their leadership roles that we unofficially and automatically get as the older marching band members to help the younger, newer members: some yell at those who don't get it, others yell reminders.  I remember what it was like to be the one whom all the older marching band members practically got mad at because I didn't get it: I desperately wanted to understand but couldn't.  That really frustrated me.  I've tried not to single members out as much and just say, "Let's dress this line."  I've also shared my "nonpolitical correct" ways to do marching band.  Like how to dress a line, a diagonal, check intervals: all the things that I had to learn myself.  I've also tried to encourage and praise the positive aspects.  One second year member who struggled his first year improved his backward marching band by leaps and bounds: when I praised him, he told me how nice it was to hear positive feedback. 

In our piccolo section, the two first year members remind me so much of my peer and me.  One first year member got marching band right away, the other is still learning.  I was in the later's shoes not too long ago.  I remember what it was like.

So, I'm really tired.  I have no more capacity to learn drill.  We make a form and "follow the leader" in two blocks.  The other block with 95% experienced marchers got the form: my block with 50% first year members doesn't quite have it as well.  Frustrating.

We didn't have a chance to mark the sets in the music; therefore, without those marks, I was pretty lost while we learned the ballad because I know the show by where each section in the music starts and stops.  We marked the sets in later so that we're more clear.  I'm glad because it's embarrassing and bad (because I'm supposed to be able to help the newer members with their part of the show.)

I want to have fun in band and do well.  I've brought cards from a game to amuse us.

The leadership team candidates get to lead warm ups tomorrow: even after four seasons of marching band, I'm still not sure how I'll do with leading the music warmups.  Oh well, no one is perfect.  

Band Camp Day IV

I've said it before; however, I can't reiterate it enough: it's so weird being the oldest one in band.  Now I'm the one trying to help the new marchers learn how to march in time with good form.  I don't want to be like the upperclassmen who just yelled at me when I couldn't march correctly no matter how hard I tried because I remember what it was like to be constantly yelled at.  I said this to my peer in the piccolo section: one of the new members reminds me so much of her and the other reminds me so much of myself regarding personality and ability to "get" marching band: the girl who reminds me of my peer gets the step outs, marches and plays, has good flute angles, whereas the girl who reminds me of myself hasn't gotten marching quite as quickly.  If she thinks as I do, hopefully the "tricks" that I use for marching band and how I "process" all of the events happening at once will help her.  I had to figure all of these things out for myself because my upperclassmen just yelled at me and one pulled me aside to help me individually. 

I like being one of the oldest because I can implement my ideas. 

Band Camp Day III

It really frustrated me that the directors didn't give me adequate time to learn the opener drill that I missed on Monday: I wouldn't have been able to learn that drill that quickly if I weren't jet lagged.  I essentially had to ask my band mates where my set was and try to get somewhere near there. 

We did a run of the first two parts of the show.  I had a mind blank a few times where I couldn't remember the music.  With my exhaustion, a tough set where I have to move a big distance backwards, and repetitive music, I struggled to make a set.  I felt as if I were a first year band member again.

Overall, the work ethic of this band impresses me: everyone for the most part doesn't relax until told to, everyone mainly pays attention and doesn't talk.  We're learning drill at a decent pace. 

Band Camp Day II

Nine hour day yesterday.  Our band director told the entire band where each absent member was; therefore, many people asked me how Germany was or thought me crazy or admirable for coming after getting back at 4 in the morning.

When I first walked into school, our band director's first comment was,"I knew you would come."  Not,"How was your trip?" or something like that.  Just,"I knew you would come."  Yeah, I'm not begrudging that I came and that she didn't, but one of my team members on the trip skipped band yesterday.

We didn't really spend that much time on the drill that everyone else learned yesterday.  I wouldn't have had time to learn that drill if I weren't jet lagged; therefore, I REALLY couldn't remember the opener drill.  I stumbled around trying to guess where my set was.  I'll hopefully remember the drill we learned yesterday today.  Lovely.

I wanted to leave at dinner because I practically fell asleep while marching because of exhaustion.  The directors essentially used guilt trap to make me stay, saying that it would be better for me to stay up and push myself and that I could sleep during dinner.  Not with all that noise and people walking around.

Well excuse me.  I came after a twelve day trip and getting back at 4:00 in the morning.  Couldn't you have shown me a little grace?  I came, my team member didn't.

After we ended for the day, our director told me that I showed dedication.  Dedication in deed.  I practically feel asleep during wrap up announcements and complained mentally the whole time.

Anticipating Band Camp

We had our first day of band camp yesterday; however, I was out of the country on a missions trip in a time zone 6 hours ahead of where we live.  My mom encouraged me to go today because I can force myself to stay awake today.  I'll warn my fellow band members that I'm tired and jet lagged and may leave early.

I hope that I can participate on the leadership team because I can have an official title for NHS and so that I have a little more authority with a tittle.

Last year members doing bios and pictures for the programs this week.  This is crazy.

I can't believe that my last year has already started...

Piccolo Party

We had a piccolo party today.  We are probably the first section to make T-Shirts: Band only started less than a week ago and we've already made our T-Shirts.  Our shirts are awesome: they're original and reflect parts of the themes of the show.

Aside from the T-Shirts, we had fun reminiscing about our first years in marching band and advised the first year piccolo players what to do and what not to do.

As I drove one of the first year piccolo players, I asked what she thought of marching band so far.  She replied that it is different from how she thought it would be.  Everyone's nice and welcoming.  At least she thinks so.  I think that the piccolo section will be a relatively close and fun section this year.  We have an eclectic variety of personalities that all interact in fun ways.

I like being one of the leaders/one of the older ones because I can plan these parties and activities and because people look up to me.

Soaking Up Every Moment

As the title suggests, I have to soak up every moment because I don't have a next season; therefore, the other flautist my age and I are trying to plan crazy and fun and silly and ridiculous events and activities to make this season memorable.  We planned a water war, a chalk war, and a tape war for band camp.  Gotta fill those 9 hours somehow.

We're going to be the loud, obnoxious, cheerful, boisterous section this year.  While our director worked with another section, we all made faces at one another and laughed.  Yeah, we were supposed to sit there quietly, but we weren't.

I enjoyed myself more than usual while we made faces at one another and planned crazy ideas.

Last First Band Practice

I cannot believe at all that this is my last year of marching band.  I feel as if I'm starting my second year of marching band instead of my fourth.  Time went way too fast.

I enjoyed "leading" the section.  I helped plan a piccolo party and T-Shirt making session.  We met the two new flautists.  

During basics block, our director told everyone to watch me as we marched for an example of excellent marching style because I stuck out to him.  I always can get the more difficult stuff but can't get the easy stuff: most people can march forward proficiently before they can march backwards.  

The last half hour drug; however, I reminded myself that I need to enjoy every minuted because I don't have much time left.  

Beginning of The End

My last year in marching band.  Holy cow.  I can't believe how fast the years have gone.  I'm so excited for my last year: I also feel a sense of dread.  Ugh.  I have to survive another year.  It excited me that I finally get honored for my last year in marching band.  A night for it, special honor at recognition night..

If I had told myself my first year in marching band that I would join for the rest of my high school career, I probably wouldn't have believed it.  I didn't like all of those late nights and long practices.  Now, late nights?  It's really early. 

I watched the video of a performance of my first show.  The show that I didn't know how to process all of the components.  Oh, how things have changed. 

I'm so beyond excited for marching band to start.  I really want to welcome the two new flautists, especially because I'll be co-in charge.  No one older than me to suggest ideas to.  Now, I just do.  I also want to share about my marching band experiences and teach them to march.  I can tell them how to process the components and how important marking time is. I've made a band camp survival kit for each that I can't wait to give them.

Every season, I enjoy and like marching band more and more.  First year, it was okay.  Second, when I FINALLY could march and play without looking like a duck, I liked it more.  Third year, I enjoyed helping lead.  I'm SO EXCITED for my last year.  I'll definitely miss marching band.  Who knew?

Beginnings of Marching Band 2013

To be completely honest, I'm getting a little weepy thinking about my final season in marching band.  I've put in so much time and energy, seen so many people go through the program, marched so many shows.

I'm excited.  So, marching band still seems pretty far off, but we're trying to recruit 8th graders to join marching band.  At the musical performance yesterday, my mom told me to ask our director how many 8th graders are signed up for marching band.  I did, and he said around 15.  A decent, but not huge number.  Naturally, I wanted to know how many flutes.  He said two.

It's going to be a challenge teaching two new flutes how to march.  We have three "veteran marching band members."

I'm excited because I'm one of the ones the 8th graders will look up to.  Just as I looked up to the Juniors and Seniors my first year.  Also, I'll be one of the ones in charge of the section.  I can lead and organize what we do.  My 8th grade brother said that various girls in his grade looked up to me at band buddy night.  When they spend more time with me, they'll probably think that I'm really strange/weird, but whatever.  I'm just myself.