This weekend, Dear Husband and I plan to drive to Indiana to watch my niece's band compete in the Class C Northern Indiana Regionals. I'm really looking forward to the trip. The kids march just before 1:00, and the weather is supposed to be sunny and in the 60s. We watched in the snow one year, and have worried about rain occasionally.
Seventeen Class C bands will be competing tomorrow, and only five of them will be selected to go on to State Competition at Indianapolis next Saturday. My niece's band has gone to state at least the last three years, and you know that she hopes they will make it one more time. Tomorrow could possibly be her last chance to march on a football field as a high school student. Or, she may get to go out in a blaze of glory, at State, next week.
I sent her a note, to tell her that some nervousness is fine. I used to tell my students that if they were not worried, they weren't really prepared to perform. If you are absolutely calm, the chances are good that you've overlooked something. Her concern is that the band is very young this year. The ratio of beginners to experienced students is far too in favor of the beginners. Still, I've seen inexperienced students rise to the occasion when you least expect it.
On the other side of the coin, the band has a tradition of excellent shows. The music and movement always compliment each other, and this show is the type which gets points for daring moves, well executed. The assistant director and the director of bands have swapped responsibilities this year, but the basic band program is still in place, and there is a HUGE parent's group helping behind the scenes.
All they can do now, is take the field and do their best. I'm sure they will do well.
K.....I'll be with you in spirit on the field, and in the stands screaming myself hoarse. Have faith, sweetie....have faith!