In July, as we were assembling this band during band camp, this week seemed so far away. And yet, here it is. We can see the finish line and it is getting closer every minute. I imagine a marathon runner, whose body is failing them, but somehow manages to find the intestinal fortitude to find good form, extra speed and determination to run faster in their last steps than the entire race.
Are we going to coast……..or are we going to reach down deep and find that extra something that we didn’t know we have? You have it…………..go find it.
Band teaches us so much more than drill, two turns, drop spins, paradiddles and lip slurs. It teaches us something about ourselves. If you are doing it correctly, you usually learn you are stronger than you once thought. We hit a wall a few weeks ago and I swear you busted right through it. I mean, that wall doesn’t exist anymore. You fought through it and became warriors and I could not be more proud of you than I am right now.
This week is yours. This state championship is about you and your determination to put your best performance on the field. Your goal should be the best performance rep of the season. And that is it. Everything else is in the hands of other people. Be in control of yourself and that is it.
Finishing Strong has never meant more than it does right now. Every moment this week, you need to work as a team and an ensemble to help each other stay focused on the task at hand. I am gonna let everyone else speak and talk about blue maps…………WE are going to focus on doing OUR JOBS SATURDAY. You know what you have been asked, you know where to improve, you know what your job is. Remember to be a family and do it together. Support, Love, and help one another do what is right.
Here is our updated schedule for Friday and Saturday. Please take note as a few things have been adjusted.
Friday: 4th block; stadium rehearsal 4:30-7:00. There will be a 6:45 community performance for our final run through of our final competition rehearsal before state. It is the SEND OFF performance for the band program. I moved the times up due to the cold weather, and now our 6:45 final run through is the EXACT same time as our state championship performance. That is not coincidence.
Saturday: (adjusted from last time you saw it)
10:30am load buses
12:30 galleria mall
2:30 bus face painting detail
4:00 depart for Pelham HS
4:30 arrive, unload
5:45 warm up
6:45 perform
7:00 load equipment, concessions
9:00 awards ceremony
10:00 depart
The plan right now is to NOT paint faces until after the mall time. We will paint faces in the parking lot of the mall. I have a plan in mind and will share it later with the band. This will help a lot of things that we learned from last trip. Plus, I don’t want you to walk in the mall and eat looking like the ultimate warrior.
The contest has been divided up into two awards ceremonies. The 6A class is a competition on it’s own. The others will have an awards ceremony before dinner break. Most will leave helping the crowding situation from 2019. ALSO, this will be better for our concessions issue. I spoke with the director this morning and everything has been planned. Our kids after our performance WILL eat concession.
I want all students to stay in uniform and face paint after championships performance for group pictures after the contest.
There are going to be many many many many distractions this week. Keep your focus on the task at hand. Always.
Parents, food for thought.
After the Hoover contest, I was asked by a couple of parents about our drum major only awards retreat. Obviously other groups send a larger representation of people and we only send our drum majors. Instead of me just saying “well, because that’s what I prefer”, I will give a little more explanation why we do what we do.
I have been in this activity for a looooooong time and I have seen it all. If you go to local contest like we often do….you see everything under the sun from students running around the field excited, large school banner flags, blankets stretched for trophies to sit on, to kids even acting a fool sometimes. And that is fine if that is what their program chooses to do and their expectation, but it is not ours. In the distant past, we have sent greater numbers on the field. But at the end of the day……..the drum major only retreat is absolutely my favorite and what I believe is the most classy way to do it. Several reasons. At the most prestigious competitions for marching bands; say BOA, USBANDS, STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, and so forth it is always drum major retreat only. The reason they do that is the same reason we do it, because we think it is the most appropriate way to do it. Our drum majors are our top band leaders and represent us incredibly well every day, and obviously during awards. Another benefit to drum major only is that the ENTIRE BAND is together in the stands to celebrate together, not split up some on the field and in the stands. The leaders are leading the students in the stands. We have senior leaders who call the band to attention and they get to be together at maybe the most important time of the day, the season, the year. This year more than any, our thoughts have been about being together, as a group, doing what we love. While I don’t have anything against other groups sending more students to the field, I just prefer the way we do it. By the way, here is a screen shot from the handbook/rulebook at Alabama state championships.
I hope that gives you a better understanding of why we do what we do.
