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 Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:51 pm
Clarinet Goddess says . . . ♭♮♯Dance to the Rythym,
Skip to the Beat ...
╔══════════════╗
So today was the first day of shool.
This year, a main theme in the classrooms is a book called "212 egrees". The main point the book focuses on, and which our school is focusing on, is that at 211 degrees, water is very hot. At exactly 212 dgrees, it boils. When it boils, it creates steam, and that steam can power a locomotive.
Well, apparently the admin is taking pictures of students exemplifying this point, showing that one extra degree.
This morning, as a marching band we got in front of the school. We marched into the courtyard, played the fight song, and played some stands tunes. This was our first "performance" since we lost our director. Yes, this season we will be working without a director, lead by just our choir director.
Te very first 212 Degree picture...
Was of the band.
In fact, the first 5 pictures were just the band. Not the football team. Not the cheerleaders. not the Advanced Placement classes. band.
I just wantd to share with you guys how much band influences the rest of the school, and how much it affects us as indiviiduals. We always go that extra degree. We are more important then even we think.
Because of the hard work our band has put even without a proper director, the admin have decided to let us go to away games this year. Originally, we were not going to be able to because of budget cuts. In order to go to away games, we were going to have to pay for it as a band. But now the school will be paying for it.
Its really awesome. Like i said, i just wanted to share with you all how much band means to others. We work harder then anyone, and are probably closer then any other team at the school.
At 211 degrees, water is hot. But at 212, its boiling.
╚══════════════╝ ... Live the Music,
And take the Repeat ♭♮♯ My Profile ♪ My Website ♫ My Guild ♬
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 9:34 am
Y'know...
I really think that's awesome. The 212 degrees title is a really neat concept, but for your school to actually recognize the band puts in so much effort. Of course all the other groups do, too, but it's especially good that they actually recognize HOW MUCH it takes to reach that "boiling point". I'm really glad you guys have also been able to stay together as a band after losing your director. Very many kudos to you. :]
Our school claims to appreciate and love the band and everything, but no one except band members and those related to us really... gets it. No one sees the hours upon hours we put into such an activity - just playing an instrument requires hours upon hours of practice. Add marching band on top of that, which is hours both during school and outside of it, and add the fact that the band goes to play for OTHER groups (primarily football). Then add in community parades. Then add in all the time it takes for a band to do festival in the spring. While most kids are able to relax on the weekends or after school, we're working our butts off, surviving the budget crisis and the loss of half our staff members while the school spends its money on fancy rallies and excess buildings.... sigh.
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 3:09 pm
Sounds a lot like how my school was before the end of last eyar, when we lost about half of the important staff at our school. Principal quit, amazing football coach that brought us to state champs for quite a few years and who was once in band retired, band director mvoed, not sure what happened to i think 2 of our vice principals, and one of our counselors and countless teachers, custodians and our librarian quit or were fired. Our school no longer has a library.
Before that, cheerleaders yelled at us, we were kicked off the football fields for rehearsals, stuff was thrown at us at football games, etc.
It was so bad, we once had to drive cars onto the line-less practice field just so we had enough light because the football team was in the stadium. Another time we were marching in the mud at ngith with no lights because someone stole my director's keys to the stadium lights and the admin wouldn't unlock it. This was also middle school night, the day before second state. In order to see our dms, we had our alternates/ineligibles shine flashlights on them.
But so far its a lot better. On the first day of school when we went in front of the band, we were marching into the courtyard and someone said "look its the band. they know how to blow!" And he got suspended. that never would have happened before.
Te choir director was amazed at us during band camp. She didn't expect us to be so focused, so determined and so...i guess you could say together. She said that even the first day, during freshman band camp, she could feel oru "family" bonds. She saw how we treated the freshman as if they were always there, like brothers and sisters. She said that even in college she hadnt seen anyone so focused.
Which is why i love band. and my band. Soemthing that everyone heard our old director say, somethign that none of us will forget: "Be ready to march through a brick wall."
I think that is soemthing i will keep in my mind throughout my entire life, not just marching band. We have to be focused enough that, no matter what comes in our way, we keep going. In marching band, it can be taken literally. But you can also take it as life. No matter what struggles you face, you need to keep moving, and get through them so you still make your spot, or your dream. i really love that phrase.
On the second day of bandcamp, i wish the principal was there.
We went into the gym, because they made us, and were workign on fundamentals. we stood at attention for nearly half an hour. That entire time, not one person moved, spoke, or made a mistake. Everyone rolled their toes, everyone said their verbals. You could feel the focus. The vice principal did come in for a moment to talk to the choir director and waited tot alk to her until we relaxed cause she didn't want to disturb us. It was awesome.
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