LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, BAND HAULT, CLICK CLICK CLICK. My feet beneath me stop in time with the snare drum. The entire band freezes in unison into what we call "the basics block". For a moment it's silent, but that all changes the moment Mr.Cox thrusted his hands down as we play our first round of F tuning. G, D, G, F#, E, F#, D, I think.
Fun's over, forget that hilarious conversation you just had with the saxaphone section and focus, but remember those two intense weeks of band camp, remeber the blister's you got on your heels, remeber those amazing memories you're never going to forget, remember that "AH HA!" moment when you figured out the chromatic F# fingering, remember your charts, remember the music, remember the band, it's time.
"Let's give a big round of applaus to the Goshen High School Crimson Marching Band!!!!" Yells Mr. Mault through the loud speaker. I'm ready, my nerves flee from my body as my ice clod fingers loosen. Lauren gives us the visual count off, and off we march. There are so many thoughts buzzing aorund in my mind at that very moment. Don't forget your charts, watch the drum major, know when to hold, keep the interval even, remember the coreagraphy at chart 3, don't get hit by a trumpet in Part 2, and have fun! But luckly, I didn't mess up! The entire thing went as smooth as possible. May I remind you that this was only our second time ever practicing on forman feild.
The show finishes without a problem leaving the band breathless, but we keep our expression serious as we exit the feild. When were off, well that's another story. We all cheer and scream in rejoice, but the fun isn't even close to over. This was our first ever performance and we still have the entire rest of the season. I'm looking forward to it!
After Mr. Cox dismisses us to have 3rd quater off I run into Ashley Taylor, Liz Erickson, and Sydney Cox (Yupp Mr. Cox is her dad ), "How'd it go for you?!" I exclaimed.
"Pretty good! Except I got hit by a tuba during the mesh at the end of Part Two." says Sydney with a laugh. I'm just glad I wasn't there when it happened, because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face:) After that we headed right into line to grab some food!
Now I have to remind you of one other thing. In concert band I play the bassoon. If you haven't already noticed the bassoon is about as big as me, and if you haven't met me I am one short girl! (4'11'' to be exact.) In marching band you can't play bassoon, and I can see how that would be difficult! So the day before marching band I learned how to play Tenor Saxaphone, and let me tell you, on the first day of marching band I'm pretty sure I knew how to play about two or three notes. It's fun to look back and see how much I've learned in such a short period of time. By now I can play almost everything we do in band! (Like I said ALMOST everything. But I'll get there.) Now after learning Tenor Sax I've made my way up to knowing five musical instruments, but that also makes it hard to tell people what section I'm a part of. Here's what my answer to that question would be, "Well I play Bassoon in concert band, but I also play Tenor in marching band, at the same time I'm also taking persussion and piano lessoons, as well as being a soprano in Choir." But it keeps me busy, and I have a great time doing it, so i guess it all works out!
Until next time,
Molly Hill
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