Let's Do This

First Game

I don't know if I should be excited, or having a heart attack.

I'm pretty sure some of you band geeks out there know this feeling. You wake up in the morning and your first thought is-

First football game today...Oh dear lord save me.

Yep, that's my feeling currently as I walked into the school bathroom to change into my compression shorts, shirt, and my oh so stylish uniform.

I walked out of the stall with everything on besides the black and grey jacket. I got one look from Kilana and she shook her head.

"We need some hairspray..." She said as she dragged me towards the mirror. She got out her hairspray, redid my ponytail, used all of my bobby pins, and sprayed my whole head with her hairspray and some water.

About 20 minutes later, my hair was neatly slicked back with half a can of hairspray and a million bobby pins. Actually 21...I counted. I had a ponytail which was supposed to be a bun, but it kept falling apart and not one single strand of hair out of place.

"Thanks Kilana..." I said as she inspected my hair for any errors.

"No problem, but just remember that I won't help you next time." She replied as she finished circling around me. We walked to the lockers together without saying a single word.

She may be always pushing me around to be better, but she's someone that really helped me along the way.

~

"Hey Band!" The brass leader yelled out to the whole band in the band room. He started the pre-performance speech.

"Hey what?!" We all yelled back. He waited until every single person was quiet in the room, then started.

"So, first performance of this season...I just want you all to think of that one special person in your life..." He said.

Who can I think about...my parents? No...best friend? No...

Okay...My oldest brother who had quit band his senior year.

"And I want you to inspire them with our show." For some reason that had hit my heart.

Can I really inspire my brother? He wants me to quit band now...

"Even if they aren't in the stands, perform for that one person. Give your whole show to them." I felt tears come into my eyes, and I refused to let any go.

"Perform like a champion. Perform to inspire."

This show is for you bro.

~

I quickly walked up the stands with the band of the indoor stadium carrying my hatbox, flute case, and water jug. Soon after I was sitting in the stands assembling my flute together.

Within the next 30 or so minutes, the amount of people in the stadium grew larger and larger and I suddenly became nervous. What if I trip? What if I forget everything? What if, what if, what if...

Kilana stood beside me and nudged me to get my attention.

"I'm going to admit it. It's your first game and so you will forget everything".

I felt a sick feeling in my stomach.

"It happens to everyone. Just focus on your fundamentals and not on the show. We practiced hard enough, and I know you did because I always see you practicing on the lot after practice." She went on.

"Anyways, we all practiced this enough that as soon as you see the drum majors hands moving you are wired to know what to do. It will come naturally sooner or later."

I held my breath and nodded.

"For now, just have fun and dance in the stands along with everyone else once the game starts. Then be ready when the real action takes place."

I thought about walking onto the field with the lights all on us. Everything could go wrong or perfectly, it all depends on what we do. I finally felt relaxed for once this day. Where would I be without Kilana.

~

It was time for the real action to take place, but it doesn't feel like it.

I feel as if I have no idea what I'm doing, and I'm only in warm up right now. I don't know what I'm doing, but know I'm doing something and it's correct. Does that make sense?

I tried to keep calm while we did long tones, but that didn't even happen. My relaxed feeling. Gone.

All I hear are orders from the band directors and leaders. Go here, do this, time to line up. Wait... It's time to line up already? Time for the dancers on the field, and then it's our time.

Five...Six... dut dut dut...

My flute went up to my face and we started the songs for the dancers on the field. I looked around me as I played, forgetting that I was supposed to be paying attention, and I saw all the faces around me.

It's really obvious to tell who was a freshman, and who was not. Every freshman looked like they were a deer with headlights shining on them. That is probably me too.

The song ended and I put my flute down to travel as soon as the dancers left the field.

I took a deep breath as everyone else and I walked to our spots. On the way there I spotted Niko and I walked beside him there. Forgetting that we shouldn't talk on the field, I started to whisper.

"Ready?" I asked him. Looking at his facial features, he looked as scared as I was. When I noticed he wasn't going to respond I went on.

"Let's do this bro." I said as we did a fist bump although I'm probably more scared than him.

After our little encouragement moment, I went to my spot next to Rose, my senior section leader. We turned to face back field for the pre show and I noticed something different.

Our props were covering up the back field drum major. I could only see her hands, but that was all I needed to see.

"Who can see her?" My section leader called out. Realizing that I'm the only one who could see her, I replied.

"I can see her..." I said quietly.

"Okay Grace... You will have to count loudly cause the whole sec-" Rose started, but I had cut her off.

"Dut. Dut. Dut Dut Dut..." I counted loud enough and we started our pre-show.

We dissolved into our scatter set and my whole body went into auto-drive. Auto-drive is driven my fear and nervousness, and I was currently having the weirdest feeling ever. Am I scared or nervous?

We all ended the pre-show and waited for the drum major to start conducting again.

I stood by Rose again.

"Guys, good luck and don't go on auto-drive. Thinking of all the hardworking we had put into this." Rose started whispering to Niko and I who were on both sides of her.

"You might not remember anything about the show, but you will remember the experience. Have fun in your first ever show."

~

Everything that happened after that moment was a blur. I don't remember if I did good, was out of step at any moment, or if I missed any sets.

All I remember was when it ended and we all stood on the side of the field sweating and breathing deeply. When the whole woodwind section just patted all of the freshmen in the back saying 'This is only the beginning guys'.

And sure enough, they weren't lying.