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"Surrealism on Final's Night"

It’s almost surreal…
The way I thought it would never end. How I always expected to hear yells of, “One more time!” “Get your toes up!” and “Mark time! Get in step!” for the rest of my life. How I always expected my Friday and Saturday nights to be filled with a crammed schedule of competitions, parades, and football games.

It’s almost surreal…
How I often wished that practice would just end so I could go home and get some rest. How I’d taken more aspirin in one week than I had in my whole life. How my heart pounded and my feet ached and how sweat dripped the word ‘effort’ down my forehead on those long summer afternoons. How I’d have killed someone just to get a water bottle or a sip of Gatorade…

It’s almost surreal…
Remembering how I’d get so frustrated with my section. How I’d lecture them about practicing and teamwork and dedication. How I spent most of my time being a leader, but still knew how to make a section laugh. How I switched moods while teaching them how to roll their feet and march on their platforms. The positive reinforcement, the words of wisdom (And lack thereof) and the frustration of feeling resistance push against all of my motives and goals were just a few things that made me love doing what I do, that much more.

It’s almost surreal…
How I somehow expected marching band to always be there. How I so looked forward to the crisp October nights that we spent in a football stadium performing at halftime and taking 3rd quarter off. How I thought I would positively die if I had to eat one more stadium hot dog without any ketchup or mustard. There was the giving of money that I never expected to get back. Watching the steam rise off of my mouthpiece as I took it out of my mouth to play. Dancing to cadences and yelling stupid things into the night air as the game went on.

It’s almost surreal…
How marching band has become such a big part of my life. How it’s only been two years and I’m already in love. How marching a halftime show and rolling my feet could possibly make my life feel complete. It’s almost surreal how much I already miss being on a football field, and the season only JUST ended. How I already miss that smelly, confining, problematic uniform that represented more than just a jacket, gauntlets, and a helmet.

It’s almost surreal…
That rush of adrenaline, the burst of pride, the sound of the crowd screaming after you snap your horn down to end the show. The feeling of accomplishment; knowing that you just had the show of your life and the nervous feeling that you get before you compete.
The purely Marching Band Feeling…
Seven straight minutes of music and marching. Seven straight minutes of hard work, aching shoulders, and commitment. Everything about marching band that makes it marching band. It's almost surreal.

It’s almost surreal…
Hearing the final count-off in the last show of the season. Knowing that this is it; this is the band’s last performance of this year’s show. Knowing that whatever happens in this show reflects everything that we worked hard for all season. The long hours on a hot parking lot, the seemingly endless after school rehearsals, the dreaded Ultimate Warm-up, marching until we thought our feet would fall off, holding attention until we thought we’d collapse, playing parade tunes continuously until our band director was satisfied.
(Or until we passed out!)

It’s almost surreal…
Knowing that this is the end of those great times spent in dark busses and bright stadiums. Knowing that the band you meet next year will not be the same as the band you see today. It’s almost surreal feeling those unexplainable emotions after the last chilling note of the season is played. Being constantly surrounded by a big group of people that you oftentimes can’t stand, but also can’t live without. Holding on to the memories of this season and never letting them go.

It’s almost surreal…
Witnessing the end of the season. The end of black socks, marching shoes, Mohawk plumes, hat boxes, and uniform bags. The end of parade music and stand tunes and show music. The end of visuals and section leaders. The end of a season that taught everyone a little more patience, a little less hostility, a little bit of perseverance, and a LOT of teamwork. The end of a season that brought everyone a little bit closer and helped build bridges between people. The end of a season that can never be repeated, replayed, or redone. The end of a season that will live on in trophies, certificates, and plaques…
And the end of a season that will live on in the hearts of everyone.

It’s almost surreal…