Let's Do This

Spring Concert Week

A while has passed every since that solo ensemble and everyone has turned back to their normal attitude.

I walked into the band room ready for fifth period. There were a stack of paper on a stand beside the door and concluded we were supposed to pick one up. I scanned across the page and first noticed the large words on top "SPRING CONCERT". I looked at the date and was surprised to see that it is next week on Friday.

I went my locker, did the regular routine and sat in my seat. The band director was talking about the concert while I read though the handout once more. It looks like we would have to wear our tuxedo again. Most of the seventh graders were annoyed that we have to wear a tux, but the eighth graders were depressed.

It would be their last time wearing it since in high school they will have to wear suits or a dress. I am not looking forward to wearing a dress in two years, since I'm not a girl who would.

"And remember, everyone who got a 1 will be recognized at the concert" My band director finished. Hmm, that seems fun.

~

It was the week of the spring concert.

It was Monday and I walked into the school noticing something different about the crowd. Why were there eighth graders carrying a water jug? And I'm talking about those large ones that are about a gallon.

I spotted Cheyenne holding a water jug and walked up to her. "Hey what's up?" She asked once I got to her.

"Hey, what's with the water jug?" I asked motioning my hand towards it. I could hear the water in it moving while we walked.

"May band camp." She answered. Band camp? For marching band?

"Isn't it a bit too early for marching season though? You're not even a freshman yet..." I said being confused.

"Yeah, May band camp is going to be two weeks, and we need a lot of water. It's after school for two hours." Cheyenne replied.

"That seems fun..." I trailed off trying to keep the conversation.

"Yeah, but I have no idea what to expect. We're going to be outside and learning the basics..." She said. "Oh, gotta go. Bye!"

I waved goodbye as she left. I wonder what May band camp is like...

~

The whole week I heard some of the eighth graders in my band say how tiring May camp is like. Is it really that tiring? It's not even the real deal yet, but I'll just take their word that it's not easy. I heard Cheyenne saying that the flutes have to do the most push-ups.

The spring concert was today and the whole time during band, we acted as if it was any other day, but everyone knew this was going to be our last real rehearsal for this year.

~

"Do you have everything?" My dad asked once we were in front of the auditorium of our spring concert. I checked everything and suddenly started freaking out, WHERE'S MY MUSIC?

"Uh, no..." I replied. "Can you just ask mom on her way here to bring my band binder from home?" We both sighed.

"Fine. You can go in while you wait..." He replied. It would take about 30 minutes for her to come and 45 minutes is when my band will have to go into stage.

I walked into the auditorium remembering about the spring concert that went on a few months ago. After a bit of walking, I was sitting with my band confessing that I forgot my music. They looked at me mouth opened as if I was the dumbest person alive. Then someone laughed and the mood was lightened again.

I looked around and suddenly saw Anthony, a few inches away from. We both jumped startled by each other. Then I noticed Niko behind him wearing his medal.

"Oh shoot I forgot..." I muttered to myself, leaving Anthony and went to my flute case, taking off the medal and pinning it on my tuxedo. "How do I look?" I ask Anthony and laughed on how weird I am.

~

The concert band had ended and it was time for my band, symphonic, to come up. I looked around frantically, suddenly there was a tap on my shoulder.

"Here." My bro said, shoving my music into my arms. I said thanks and he left, then I noticed how much of the eighth graders were talking to him. He was supposed to go to the same junior high, but he went to this school for the smart kids.

I snapped out of my thoughts when we were motions to come up the stage. I sighed, fixed my cummerbund (which I fixed) and started walking.

I walked onto the black stage with the stage lights almost blinding me and sat where my chair was supposed to be, first chair. Being first chair is actually fun. Instead of having a flute in your face that distracts you and plays too loud, I have a clarinet dude beside me who plays awesomely. Plus him and I started to become friends so its fun.

Once everyone got situated our band director introduced herself and what band we are. I smile, I love being with this band. Soon enough, our band director was once in front of us motioning us to play our first song out of three.

1...2...deep breath, play. I remembered the rehearsals we had, the work many of us had put into it, but I still kept my mind in the music focused. I listened to the other sections wondering if they always sounded that good. A few minutes later the song ended, and then the next song ended. The band director walked off the podium and to the microphone.

"Before we start our last song, I would like to recognize the students who had put much work on solo ensemble a while back. Some of them had came to school about 45 minutes early everyday, and sometimes even before we the band directors came, just to get a superior rating." She started. "If you actually ever went to school early just to practice, stand up." I looked around and stood up hesitantly the same time the first chair clarinet dude did. I looked across my band and saw one or two liars. I rolled my eyes.

"Now, everyone who got a superior rating, a one, please stand up." She said after. There was a few who lied again, including one of those altos who always brags about things that never happened. I let out sigh thinking on how mean they could be, why couldn't they just be truthful and sit down.

Soon again we were seated and ready to play our last song. Our band director walked in front of us and said in a quite tone so the parents wouldn't hear. "The liars will be punished next week." She said and I smirked. "Anyways, lets do this and not forget everything we practiced on."

We all nodded and she went on the podium. Once she made sure everyone's eyes were on her, she started conducting.

I counted silently in my head waiting for when it's time for the flute to join in. It was actually a pretty cool mysterious piece that's really quiet, but that would mean its easy to point out mistakes. I raised my flute and so did everyone else.

I played those quarter notes and 8th notes as smoothly as I can, listening to make sure I'm not overpowering the people beside me. I played the music basically memorized and let my eyes wondering across the auditorium and through the band. My band.

It sadly ended after that, my first spring concert.