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July 23, 2004
Fighting fighting. Same same. (or band camp day 5)
So today was the end of the first week of band camp. It was pretty simple.
We stretched but we didn't even have to stick around for basics! YES! I'm especially glad because Mr. Rose has hired the most insane of M&M (Marching and Maneuvering) instructors. He is known as (Mr.) Harvey. He's instructed for the likes of Velocity Indoor Percussion, and other area bands.
But worse, he was in a Drum (and bugle, but that doesn't matter...j/k) corps. And not just any. No, he was in the Cavaliers. He was their drum major in '95 when they won the Championships (among many other times). So this guy is insane about breaking the down the steps and working on basics for hours to make them perfect. Crazy.
But no, we got to miss all that to work on music, so I was glad. We've played everything we have practically into the ground, and I have all that has been given to us (warm-ups, 2 cadences, opener and half of a second song) memorized. So we took a lot of long breaks.
When I go to the bathroom, they consult with the colorguard. Apparently we're going to have a water-balloon fight between them and us (the drumline). This will prove interesting and I expect, fun.
Mark then decides to get a little advance water action. He gets me and three other guys to fill cups with water, two to a person, and get in the back of his truck. We then drive up next to where the guard is practicing and throw the water on them...they were totally surprised and it was hilarious.
But please, I would like you to play close attention to this. This is so awesome.
Every year now for four years I have looked forward to a particular moment. That moment is the first time the drumline finally plays one of the pieces with the band. There is nothing quite like it when it all comes together like that and the band sounds good, and you sound good, and you just know that the marching season is going to be good, no matter how you do at competition or how many games the football team wins or loses. You're ready to get on with all the hard work because you know that it is actually going to pay off in a gratifying existance as a part of a team, and you know you want to be a good part of that team, and the will to work hard just swells in you like the bruise you got in the pit at the concert last night.
Today I experienced that moment for my fourth, and unfortunately, probably last time. It was all that and more, and it almost brought a tear to my eye. I'm so excited for this marching season.
Monday we set drill.
I gotta start wearing sunscreen, my face is a fireball of sunburn.
and I only have three and a half days of band camp left because on Thursday I leave to see my girlfriend in Wisconsin. I am so excited about this. I can't wait!
Posted in School By akijikan at 08:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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