The Marching Band Chronicles: Year 2

Band Camp

I wake up at six and spring out of bed. I get ready and eat a quick banana and jump into the van. We picked up Serena Barton, a rookie color guard. And then we'd pick up Ariel Blossom, another rookie color guard. I would then go to the Thomsins and be there by 7:15. I was glad that Josh and Kassidy were actually going this time. We pull up on Dwarfe Street, where the Thomsins' house was. Josh walks out through the door and put his trumpet in the back. I go into the large, bronze van and put my stuff on the van's floor. Kassidy then exits the house and We all go into the car, with Mr. Thomsin driving. We were all excited, yet tired at the same time as we left for Charles Johnson High School.

Once we were there, we started to set up, and Nathan Schwann, our drum major, called us outside. I brought my towel, water, and instrument. I knew what was going to happen the next few mornings, and I was scared for it.

We got outside and we started to stretch for the long day to come. Then, Mr. Ricardo, the assistant for Dr. Greta Brown, did core with us. That was basically all of these core exercises. Then, the moment we were all waiting for. The dreaded Insanity. He had put his music on and started us with jogging in place. Alright, I was doing ok for now.

"Jumping Jacks!" Mr. Ricardo said through the Long-Ranger. During, I was a little tired, but I was still ok. I started to slack a little so I could save my energy. John caught me right away.

He turned around and said, "Keep going, Low Brass!" Then, Mr. Ricardo called the one I dreaded.

"High Knees!" He said. It's basically jogging, but you pull your knees up to your waist while doing so.

I soon decided just to pull my knees up instead of jogging while doing so. "Stella, keep the knees up," he said. Before you jump to any conclusions, yes, my name is Stella. I groaned and continued on, with my knees slightly higher. Then, we switched to the squat jumps. I also dreaded those. Then basketball jumps. You 'pick up the ball and shoot at the hoop'. We continued until the end of the song. We finally got water. You'd think its over, right? Wrong! Two more times then stretching. THEN it's over.

After Mr. Ricardo finished with the last stretch he brought us in and sent us to breakfast, the parent telling us to tell him who throws up first. I slightly grimace. I sit with Kassidy, Ariel, Josh, and Serena as I get a biscuit and fruit. Forgetting my not-butter. As I go get it, I think, That's what I'll call this from now on. McButter.

I then get ready to march onto our half field for marching practice. Kassidy and I were perpetually yelled at by John for leaning back.

"I know it's heavy," he'd say to us. I'd nod and try. Yet, I'd still lean back. But looking back now, it was really dumb because that euphonium was like a mellophone. "I've done this for six years. I know it's heavy."

Yeah, and that's why you can hold it up longer than us. You've been here for six years. I thought. I roll my eyes in my head. On the outside, I just nod.

After fundamentals, we'd go inside for lunch, sectionals, and music rehearsal. Our teacher played the tuba and was pretty nice. He kinda looked like if Radagast the Brown lived in a society, and took off most of precious beard. Don't judge my description, I couldn't think of anything else!

We got to practice nothing in the music rehearsal except for the Fourth Movement of our show because the pit only worked on with Mr. West was that movement. The only thing I like about it is the low brass melodies.

After musical fabulousness, we'd go back out to the horrendous field and set drill and run whatever we have. Then, we have a pep talk, choose our winners for 'Murica day, Gender-bending day (I was one of the winners with the name Seth), character day (I also won with two color guard for not planning a Dr. Who. The two guard wore Dalek and TARDIS dresses and I was the doctor), Section Color Day (John never gave me back my shirt, so I had to improvise), and Pajama Day (no winner was claimed for this one.)

And as the Band Directors say, 'One more time!' And that was for five days. Nothing really changed except a new euphonium named Alexis came in. And then, it was downhill for the roller coaster of marching band.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey you guys! Sorry for the late update. I'm going to skip ahead in the story to the uphill of my roller coaster and then it goes back to the present.

Coolios

Stella Xiao