Marching Band

Without a doubt, Sam's favorite subject this year is Band. Practice started in late July and continued for more than half of August. Although he would like to be playing the drums, he is paying his dues by playing the cymbals which is also part of the drum line. He has learned a lot about drumming and practices that at home. His ambition is to work his way up to the "quints", a five piece set on the right.

I attended a festival that the band played at and watched them perform four songs from "Phantom of the Opera."

 

The band director, who is very passionate about excellence, does not lead the kids while they perform. That job is done by the Drum Majors. This young woman, probably a senior, is a real beauty who's posture was terrific as she directed them in the first two songs. The male Drum Major wore a tuxedo and he directed the other two.

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The Band has a highly choreographed show that they put on during Home football game halftimes and at competitions. I had no idea that there was so much marching and moving around that goes on while they play their songs.

Additionally, I didn't realize that The Color Guard's job is to interpret the music with their flags.

This group of girls had four different flags that they used to express moods of the music. I heard the Band Director explain all that or I wouldn't have picked up on it.

It certainly is wonderful to see so many young people working together to put on a great show. The music is very good. I  am learning a lot about band culture especially because the Band Boosters call often  to ask for volunteers for their many activities! The band parents seem to work as hard as the kids. Every event that Sam has participated in so far has been well organized, with the kids well fed on long days.

This show was judged and the comments were used by the director to improve their performance for the next time.