What a Friday night with no football game? Yep, we have off. The team will be playing but the band is off. We have two competitions tomorrow and the game is away so we have chosen not to go. It is not because we don't support the team or anything. We are tired and we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. We are lucky to have a district that will support our choice to not travel tonight. We practice all week and for us to be at our best tomorrow we will need our rest. What about the booster club? Here is a consideration that some do not make. To travel anywhere with a band is a task. Football game, parade, competition, they all take time and energy on a booster club's behalf. I would rather have well rested and pleasant helpers and boosters tomorrow than a tired bunch.

What about tomorrow? If hard work counts...We should win nationals! We have worked our tails off! I still think we are 2 weeks from being clean but stranger things have happened. Tomorrow may be one of the magic days were no wrong can happen...Or it may not be. I feel good about what we have done this week. We play so much better than we did a week ago. We could be clean, but we just need to slow it done in our minds and make things line up. If we do, watch out. I wish nothing but luck to our competitors tomorrow. We will not need luck, just some magic. Have you ever seen a rabbit get pulled out of a hat? See, it happens all the time. You just have to know the trick. Tomorrow we will shine for sure!

P.S. The picture of Ted rooting us on! He loves Fall!

Out of Time

This week's rehearsals are over. We have worked all week to clean things up. I feel like we are better than we were at this time last week, but we still have a lot of work to do. We are out of time for the week. Time is the great equalizer. Everybody only has 24 hours in a day. It is what you do with your time that separates the great from the good and the good from the mediocre and the mediocre from the bad. I wish we had a little more time this week to put it all together but alas we do not. Again, if we get beat, we will get beat by a band that played and marched better than us. We are catching up to the easy shows but we may still be a week away from passing them. We are so close to greatness but seem to be afraid to just go for it. Maybe on Saturday some magic can happen and they will step it up. I wish they could feel what it is like to truly be rewarded for hard work. Some of the students don't really know that feeling and some don't remember. Maybe Saturday can be a starting point for some to greatness for some and a reminder to others of why we work so hard. I have seen this band step it up a level at competition before. I feel like we stepped up rehearsal this week so let hope for all of us, we can all step it up on Saturday.

I Played Hooky!

Literally! I took the day off! I needed it. I did not called in sick. I took a personal day. I have too many days of leave and will actually lose some if I don't use them so I took off. At my previous position, they commented one time that I never missed any day except for Wednesday. Why? Well that is obvious...WE DON'T REHEARSE ON WEDNESDAYS! I would not trade what I wanted at the moment for what I want most.

So what did I catch? I caught some fish but more importantly I caught some new friends. I was out by myself and heard a call on the radio for somebody looking for help finding fish. Usually I don't answer these calls but today I did. I told him exactly where I was and that I was catching fish. He sure did look happy. It made me feel good to help him and even more happy that he was appreciative. Then I made another friend at the dock. When I launched in the morning, I noticed a large cabin criuser at the dock. When I came back, I saw an older man fishing sitting on the the dock beside the boat. The man asked me if I had "done any good". I usually don't talk much to people at the dock as I am usually pretty tired as I get up to go fishing at about 4:45 a.m. but today was different. I showed him my fish and talked to him for about 45 mintues. He marvelled over my fish and showed me his boat. It was nice. A 25. 1 feet Chris Craft house boat. He told me he lived on it for most of the year and just moved to Lake Murray. He wanted to live on the ocean but at his age he just could not do that anymore (he may have been 80). His wife had died and he bought a boat to live on. We talked about fishing and GPS and my boat but I just think he wanted to talk and I complied. I am glad I did. I told him I would be happy to take him striper fishing and he said that would be great to just "ring the bell" if I saw him on the water.

I have been told more than once that I am an old soul. Today I caught more than fish. I caught a bit of life. By the way, I also caught a limit of fish!

Tomorrow is back to work and cleaning drill but today was a pleasant surprise.

The Colorguard

Our colorguard has had a total rebirth. Last year they really had to put up with a lot of different things, and I promised them I would make things right this year. I think I have. We have a new instructor. Well, he is not new to me. Mr. Sharod Coleman and I worked together at my previous school. I am really happy to be working with him again. He has become a good friend. We have 13 ladies in colorguard. We have 7 veterans and 6 new members. I really feel like this group will become the core of something really great in our band program. Our ladies really work hard and don't seem to mind the hard work. They are truly and asset to our total program, and I think they will really help our visual score very soon. I have a feeling that this group will grow next year. They may not realize it, but I really like them. They are a definately a hand full, but they are worth it.

Today's rehearsal continued where yesterday's left off. The cleaning continues, and the results are starting to show. A lot of what we need to do to be competitive is up to the students now, but they have really stepped it up this week (so far!) Let's end this week on a high note Thursday with our best rehearsal yet! Below is this weekend's schedule.

Information Sheet for the Week of September 25 - 30

Rehearsals: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Football Game: We will NOT be traveling to the game this week.


Spring Valley Festival of Bands and The Palmetto Invitational at Irmo High School on September 30, 2006

Report to the band room: 9:30 a.m.
Depart for Spring Valley: 10:15 a.m.
Arrive at Spring Valley: 11:15 a.m.
Finish Dressing at Spring Valley: 11:30 a.m.
Warm-up: 12:00 noon
At the Gate: 1:10 p.m.
Competition Performance: 1:15 p.m.
Reload: 1:30 p.m.
Depart Spring Valley: 1:45 p.m.
Arrive at Irmo: 2:45 p.m.
Warm-up at Irmo: 3:25 p.m.
At the Gate: 4:35 p.m.
Competition Performance: 4:45 p.m.
Change out of Uniforms and load equipment: 5:15 p.m.
Return to Stadium to watch other bands: 5:45 p.m.
Awards at Irmo: 8:15 p.m.
Depart Irmo: 9:15 p.m.
Return to Swansea: 10:00 p.m.
Dismissal: 10:30 p.m.


We not will rehearse before competition on Saturday, Sept. 30. You should arrive with your bibbers on. We will finish dressing at Spring Valley. Lunch will be provided for you but you should bring a small amount of money for dinner at Irmo. Please be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to there. We will be on a very strict schedule Saturday. Do everything you can to make sure we are the best we can be Saturday. You must bring your show shirt with you as we will change. As always, we will stand at attention during the awards ceremony only. Rehearsal will need to be stepped up a level for this week if you want the ultimate reward of 1st place.

Never trade what you want at the moment for what you want the most.

Another Year Older

Yep, today is my birthday. They seem to be a lot closer together than they used to be. I can remember when I would go to band competitions and I was always the youngest director. Not so anymore. Then I was the youngest successful director. Not so anymore. Some things have gotten better though. Professional sports players are often in the twilight of their career at my age. Their skills are starting to diminish. Not me. I feel like I am just figuring this band thing out. I did get a pleasant surprise today. My wife brought me lunch at work. That was too nice.

Today's rehearsal was exceptional. We really cleaned the first half of the opener. If only they will continue rehearsing like they did today for the rest of the week I believe we could have a better result this weekend.

I talked with two of the judges from Saturday and they both said if we can get the show clean, it will be great! I really respect both of their opinions so a cleaning we will go. We have 2 more rehearsals this week to get it done!

Homework

We were second overall yesterday. I fine result except I feel we could do even better next week if we can just have three great rehearsals instead of two mediocre ones and one great one.

I spent my night last night doing my homework. I was up until about 2:00 a.m. listening to tapes and trying to figure out what I could do to put the band in a position to get better results. The music and overall effect judges really liked the show. We just have to do what we are doing better. I know if we can continue to clean things up both visually and musical we can catch and pass our upstate competition.

Next week the competition is tough as well. Maybe even more tough. We will have to work extremely hard and smart this week or we will have similar results. Mediocrity is a disease I can do without.

I am proud of my band, but I think if you look back at last week's entry on Tuesday you may see how things that happen my not have immediate effects.

Winning is not something that just happens. It is the result of many things that happen on a consistent basis.

"Leave No Doubt!"

Today is the day we have waited and worked for since July 20th. I really don't think we could have done more to prepare. I don't think anybody will read this before we report today, but regardless of the outcome tonight I am proud of the band as a whole. As a whole, I mean our entire program of students, parents, family, and staff. If we don't have the ultimate reward of victory, it will be because another band played and marched better than us today. Not necessarily a better band but one that was better today. Today is not about other bands. It is about us and our journey. Good luck Swansea Tiger Band! Today I truly take my band to contest. Everybody that sees and hears us today will see a new era in the Swansea Band program. Last year at this time I had doubts. Not today. As a friend and a very good band director once said, "Leave No Doubt!" Today is ours!

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

It's the Pits!

The pit or front ensemble is a great musical asset to our group. There is some controversy as to whether or not to call them the pit or front ensemble. I have heard some percussionist scoff at the idea of them being called the pit. Where the term “pit” comes from is that of an orchestra pit that sits in front of the stage in Broadway type productions so I have no problem calling them the pit because they do indeed set up right in front of the band.

We have 6 members in our pit. It was pretty much a total reconstruction of this section as only 2 of them are returning members. I was quit surprised when I listened to a recording of our band last year as compared to this year that our pit is quite a bit better this year. Most of the members play multiple instruments and switch back and forth throughout the course of the show. We use 2 marimbas, a vibraphone, a xylophone, bells, chimes, bass drum, 4 timpani, and an assortment of color type instruments such as cymbals, sleigh bells, and wind chimes. Our pit truly adds that extra sparkle and color to the sound of the band. Their section leader is always working to make things better and is a very encouraging young lady.

On a sad note, we began the year with 7 in the pit but due to health reasons one of our members had to with draw from school. He is now on the waiting list for a heart transplant. Our thoughts are with him as we continue our season.

Today was our last full rehearsal before our first competition. We still have about 3 weeks until we are really clean. You never know what other band have but I feel good about what we have accomplished up to this point. It sure is alot better than we were at this point last year.

The difference between the IMPOSSIBLE and the POSSIBLE lies in the persons DETERMINATION........

My Wednesday Afternoons

Wednesday is the only afternoon I get home before 7:30 p.m. during the marching season. I usually beat the kids out of the parking lot on my way home. It is the day I get to clean the filter on the fish pond, play with the boyz, cook dinner, play with my fishing stuff, and pretty much relax. I also get to spend time with my wife. She works a lot too and marching season is hard on her. She never knows just when I will get home which makes it hard to plan things like dinner. We don’t get to see much of each other this time of the year, and I know she gets tired of hearing about band. So this afternoon will be spent wandering around the yard checking on my flowers and chasing wiener dogs. I will also cook dinner and unload the dishwasher. I may tie a few fishing rigs but probably not. I will get to just be at home and not worry about band (well not too much anyway).

Out of Our Control!

Somethings no matter how much you prepare or work for are unfortunately out of your control. Maybe it is the weather. Nobody can control the weather. Today that was not our problem. The weather was beautiful. Maybe it is lack of natural talent. This is certainly not our problem. We have bunches of talent. Maybe it is absences? Ah, we have something here. Today we had 9 students absent from rehearsal for one reason or another. They didn't just cut. They weren't at school. This is one of our biggest problems. Unfortunately, this has one of the greatest affects on our performances. Intervals are our biggest visual problem right now. We can not possibly fix intervals without everybody being present. The strange thing about stuff like this is is doesn't really seem to matter until it is too late. The results of students missing rehearsal won't be appearant until Saturday night when there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it. Regardless of the absences, we really seemed to have a nonproductive day today. The students just kept making the same mistakes over and over.

In my opinion, AA is prime for the picking this year. A lot of the other bands are having down years. It is really frustrating to think that we won't be able to capitalize on this because we just keep beating ourselves in one way or another. Sometimes I just don't feel very effective anymore. I think the kids are just hearing blah, blah, blah. I really make an effort not to lecture too much. It makes me sad to know this band is so close to greatness but just has too do somethings for themselves to get there. I won't give up yet!

"You can't make people do what they don't want to do!"

Information Sheet for the Week of September 18 - 23

Rehearsals: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Football Game: At Home on Friday, September 22 – Full Band
Dress: Full Uniform
Report Time: 6:15 p.m.
Dismissal from the band room: 10:20 p.m.

Lorraine Paris Blue Invitational Marching Band Competition at Newberry High School on September 23, 2006

Rehearsal in the Stadium: 12:30 p.m. (Eat lunch before you arrive)
Dress in to bibbers and load at SHS: 2:15 p.m.
Depart for Newberry: 3:00 p.m.
Arrive at Newberry: 4:15 p.m.
Finish Dressing at Newberry: 4:25 p.m.
Warm-up: 5:05 p.m.
At the Gate: 5:55
Competition Performance: 6:10 p.m.
Awards: 6:40 p.m.
Depart Newberry: 7:30 p.m.
Return back to SHS: 8:45 p.m.
Dismissal: 9:15 p.m.

We will rehearse before competition on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will not be provided for you. Please be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to there. We will be on a very strict schedule Saturday. Do everything you can to make sure we are the best we can be Saturday. You must wear your show shirt under your uniform on Saturday as we will remove our jackets and hats for the awards ceremony but will not have time to change completely. As always, we will stand at attention during the awards ceremony. This weekend is why we have worked so hard!

Never trade what you want at the moment for what you want the most.

The Drumline

Our drumline is really coming together. We only have 7 on the line but they make up for their size with skill. 6 young men and one very brave you lady. We have 2 snares, one tenor, and 4 bass drums. They are very hard working and a somewhat sensitive section. They have a lot of pride in what they do. In contrast to most drumlines, they play very musically and usually understand their place in the music. Far too many drumlines just play too loud. They are instructed by Mr. Greg Apple. We are still establishing some aspects of our percussion program, and these talented students on the drumline this year will certainly make things better for percussion students for years to come.

Today's rehearsal was great. We worked mainly on cleaning the beginning of the show and the very end. At least we will make a good first and last impression on Saturday. There is rain in the forecast for tomorrow so I thought it was best to work this way today. We watched the tape of the performance last Saturday, and it was better than I thought. Our main visual problem is intervals. Our main musical problems are maintaining tempos and playing through phrases. Only 5 days until our first contest. Our goal for the weekend...To be the best we can be!

The Community Show

Students started arriving at about 8:00 a.m. this morning. We rehearsed all day in the stadium. Not one complaint came from the students, staff, or parents about an all day rehearsal on the day of one of our biggest fundraisers. Today was a great day for band in Swansea. Everybody worked for a goal...Together. It is rare that things come together like they did today. If everyone can just work toward the goal like we did today, there will very little that can stop us. The culmination of the day was our performance in full uniform in the stadium. There were about 300 supporters present. To say the kids turned it on would be an understatement. Their attitudes were great all day, but it was tonight's performance that really made it all worthwhile. If tonight is the beginning of our competitive season, watch out. Some great things could await us. The best thing about today was that everybody; the students, the staff, and the parents, all worked so hard but as I always say "Never trade what you want at the moment for what you want most." Judges didn't have to tell us we won today. We knew it!

Thank you to everybody for all the hard work today. The booster club was a joy to work with today. I could not have asked for more. Thank you to the staff for their hard work too. Thank you to the kids. The time flew by today although everybody has sunburn to prove where they were today. And thank you for my wife for the support at home. We have tons of work to do to get the show clean but today proves to me that everybody is ready to go for it!

The Whole Show!

The entire show is on the field...sort of. We still have a lot of work to do to clean it. Tomorrow night we will stop at our last hold and play to the end. Saturday we have an all day rehearsal that the kids chose to do in order to ,hopefully, be ready to go to competition on the 23rd. The community show and spaghetti dinner is Saturday too.

I was not really happy with our rehearsal today. The students seemed to be focused on other things. There was a lot of talking and just fooling around in general. Days like today are days that other bands will pass us by. I really hope the bass drums will do what they need to in order to be able to perform tomorrow night. Unfortunately for them, we do not have school tomorrow so they will probably be watching tomorrow night at halftime. It is only fair. If you get your number drawn out of the box and don't know your music...You don't get to perform Friday night. This weekend will show if this band is really serious about doing what it takes to be the best. We shall see. I hope they are ready to take the next step towards their goal.

Tubas!

Oh boy! What a section. We have 6 of them. 5 young men and one young lady. 2 are sophomores, 3 are freshmen, and one is in middle school. This group is like watching a car wreck. You know you shouldn't look at them too long but you just can't help it. Only three of them started on tuba. The other three switched over the summer. A very good band director once told me, "Everybody wants to be good, but there are only a few that are willing to do what it takes to be great!" These guys that switched are the few that chose to do something that will give us a chance to be great. Many bands are using electronics to enhance their bass voices. Not us! We don't need to. One thing you don't hear many band directors say is "That's too much tuba!" Sometimes we have that problem. They are without a doubt the best tuba section I have ever taught. Their marching is improving. On that note, many bands never have to worry about tubas running into each other because they just don't have enough of them. Visually our tuba section is a great asset to the band but it is their sound that helps shape our whole concept of sound. Dark is good! Remember if you can't play it right...You can always play it loud! Now I wonder why we would have one the best tuba sections around. (Their main instructor is a real butt!)

Below I am adding our attendance policy just in case a parent or two may be reading this blog. As for the students reading it...GO PRACTICE!

Swansea Tiger Band Attendance Policy

In order for the Swansea Band program to be successful and make adequate improvements, every student must make every attempt to be at rehearsal each day. If you are absent from school due to illness or family emergency, you are excused from rehearsal that day only. It is also asked that a phone call or email be placed to the band room as well to allow us to make plans for that day’s rehearsal.

Students will be excused from band activities only if the director is notified in advance. The band director makes every attempt to have the band calendar available in the spring of the preceding school year. Please make family trips around this schedule. No student will be excused from a performance unless it is a very special circumstance. Students who are excused from a performance will be required to do make up work in the form of a paper on a selected musical topic. Any student who is unexcused from a performance or rehearsal will have his or her grade drastically reduced and will jeopardize future band participation.



Contact Information:

Swansea High School Band Director – Jon Brady
Phone: 803-568-1100 x 1146
Email: jbrady@lexington4.net

Sandhills Middle School Band Director – Chris Bussell
Phone: 803-926-1890 x 112
Email: cbussell@lexington4.net

A Special Day

Today is the fifth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Centers. I will not forget that day. I came home and my wife and I sat on the couch and just cried as we watch the tv, but I would rather reflect on something else. I would like to say what I did as a band director that day.

I was in my office and the phone rang. It was my wife to tell me that an airplane had crashed into one of the towers. I commented that I hoped everybody was ok. I thought it was an accident and even comment that a plane had ran into the Empire State building many years before by accident. One of my music representives was visiting me so we turned the tv in the band room just in time to see the second plane crash into the second tower live. It was then that everybody knew this was no accident. The day went on with much sadness and all afterschool activities had been cancelled except for one. The principal called me asked if we were going to have band practice. I thought for a moment and said yes. We did rehearse. It is the quietest rehearsal I have ever conducted. I don't think I even said two words. I remember the Monarch butterflies were migrating that day as we rehearsed in the stadium and they were flying by. Many people called the principal and the district office later in the week to complain that I was so insentive to rehearse that day. I really don't remember if it was a good rehearsal or a bad one. It didn't matter. I do remember what I told those kids though. "Today we rehearsed because we could. Some very bad people tried to take that away from us today but they didn't. They can't take away what we love to do."

I am glad we live in a place that allows us to do things like band. I am feel pretty lucky that I have gotten to share my love of band with so many people. I think that 5 years ago we learned about more than just band.

Baritones

We may have one of the best baritone sections anywhere in the state. We are very fortunate to not have to march trombones and to have a district that will supply us with the baritones themselves. We have 10 of them. 4 are veterans and 6 are new members. 7 are young gentlemen and 3 are young ladies. Only one senior and one junior the rest are freshmen and in middle school. We have 3 region band players and one all-state band player. The section leader is an interesting story. He actually had quit marching last year and I thought for sure he would not return but I am glad he did. I am pretty sure he is glad to be with us too. With this section, we can really turn the volume up but still maintain a nice dark sound. This section is truly one that seperates our sound from the rest of the bands in the state.

Today's rehearsal was a good one. I feel like we should have gotten a few more pages of drill on the field than we did, but we will get where we need to be tomorrow. It was a little warm, but it is supposed to cool off tomorrow. Once again every student raised their hand to say they were willing to do what it takes to be the best. I could have rehearsed for many more hours. Today time went by too fast. I guess that is a good thing. It meant I was having fun.

I am including this weeks schedule as it has come to my attention that some parents are reading this blog and maybe this will help them with their planning. It is below.

Information Sheet for the Week of September 11 - 16

Rehearsals: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Special Rehearsal: Saturday, Sept. 16 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Football Game: At Home on Friday, September 15 – Full Band
Dress: Summer Uniform (show shirt, tennis shoes, and khaki shorts)
Report Time: 6:15 p.m.
Dismissal from the band room: 10:20 p.m.

Community Show – Saturday, September 16 in Doug Bennett Stadium

Rehearsal in the Stadium: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (lunch will be provided)
Report for Community Show: 6:00 p.m. in the band room
Community Show Performance: Full Band and Full Uniform in the Stadium at 7:15 p.m.
Dismissal: 8:15 p.m.


We must have a great week of rehearsals. We need everybody present at every rehearsal. This will be a busy week for band. There is no school on Friday, Sept. 15 but there is a home game that night. We will rehearse Saturday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided for you (pizza). You should report to the band room at 6:00 Saturday night in full uniform. This will give us time to warm up and fix any uniform problems that may occur. Gloves will be available for purchase on Saturday. $2.00 for regular gloves and $3.00 for gripper gloves.

Never trade what you want at the moment for what you want the most.

Friday Night Lights

Last night was our first home game. We performed pregame from the field for the first time. With the exception of a few timing errors in the national anthem, things went fine. I really couldn't tell if the crowd like it, but the kids seemed to have a good time so that is what was important. At half time we performed the entire show with the exception of the last few drill sets. We just stood still and played the closer to the end. I have to admit I was impressed. Things really are starting to sound good. Our new practice area fools us a good bit in that it is in such an open area that it offers no reverberation of the sound at all. That is exactly what I was hoping for. When we played in the stadium things really projected pretty well. Our biggest visual problem was intervals and our biggest musical problem was playing through phrases. These are both difficult to fix but are usually later in the season problems. The guard was great. They are so much better than last year.

The students have chosen to rehearse all day next Saturday in an attempt to be prepared to go to contest on the 23rd. We have two big contests scheduled for Sept. 30 so we really need to see if everything works before then. I used to go to contests with the idea that the band would get some early season comments that would help but then I realized the judges were just saying what I tell them everyday. The kids like to go places so I would love for them to get the opportunity to go but as I stated before, I don't do field trips. If we go on the 23rd, it will be because we are really. Nothing is being left to chance this year.

Trumpets

The trumpets are our youngest section by average age and grade level. We have 11 of them. 4 are young men and 7 are young ladies. 5 are veterans and 6 are new members. Their section leader is one of the most naturally talented musicians we have, and he has an amazing sound. He is also one of the most demanding section leaders we have and expects his section to be the best they can be. I worried about this section at band camp because of its youth, but they have really been improving. Two of them are region player but I bet there will be more this year. Only the section leader is a junior. The rest are underclassmen so the future is bright for them.

Today's rehearsal was a total turnaround from Tuesday. They started rehearsal 15 minutes early on their own and worked on music. We also set the pregame show. Swansea has never performed before the game before but tomorrow night we will perform the national anthem, the alma mater, and the fight song from the field for the pregame show. During half time we will marching and play the opener, the ballad, and half of the closer. We must keep working to get over this "hump". If they will just push through this hard time, many good things are within reach.

Mellophones

The name is deceiving. There is nothing mellow about this section. They are outstanding in every aspect. 3 veterans and 2 newbies. 5 young ladies. One is marching a flute spot as an alternate. They can play, they can march, and they care and you can tell it! I want a whole band of these guys. There is one region player and one all-state player. If one of them misses practice, you know something is wrong. They may be the most in tune section in the band, and they can really crank it out too. Memorizing music is no problem either. Their section leader is an outstanding young lady that works very well with the younger students. An outstanding section from top to bottom, and they are all excellent horn players as well, no converts here.

On a continuation from yesterday, a bad Tuesday is hard on me. I want to get back out there and fix things but we are off on Wednesdays. I truly hope we are over this "hump" and can get back on championship track tomorrow. Everybody seemed to be in agreement that it was better to stay home and practice on the 23rd then to go somewhere and have a bad experience. What if we practiced all day on the 16th and then half day on the 23rd to get caught up? 23rd could be a good day then. Kids just let me know if you are up to it.

A Disappointing Day

I considered not posting today because of how disappointed I was with rehearsal today but then I thought this blog is mostly for me so I will post anyway. I never receive comments so I really don't think too many people read it any way. The mellophone's blog can wait. Today was a great day as far as weather but what a waste of time. It reminded me so much of last year that I almost stopped rehearsal twice. Students did not know their music to the closer, their was absolutely no sense of urgency, and the section leaders did nothing to inspire their sections. I am a tough band director but I feel I am a fair one so the choice I made today was not an easy one. Some fine students will be saddened by the fact that we will most likely (90% certain) not attend a competition on September 23. I feel it would not be fair to the half of the band that was prepared today to allow mediocrity to be rewarded by a "field trip" and allow the dedicated prepared students to experience the defeat that would await them with the results of rehearsals like today. I have principles that I must adhere to and to go to competition just to have a "field trip" is not within them. We will rehearse all day on September 23. It is blocked off on the calendar any way. Perhaps, together, we can achieve a little more than cleaning drill that day. Today hurts me because I thought days like this were behind us. I guess I have some realizations to accept myself. I know many people will think and say, "It was the day after a holiday." Well that just isn't an excuse I am willing to accept. Sorry to be negative but that is just the way I feel after today's rehearsal.

Saxophones!

Or as Homer Simpson would say "Sax-a moe phone!" We have 12 saxophones. 8 Altos and 4 tenors. 9 are veterans and 3 are new members. They can really play. They are one of our best playing groups. 4 are young ladies and 8 are young gentlemen. There are 3 region players in the group and one of them has made all-state. There are alot of strong personalities in this group and sometimes they clash but only for short periods of time. They all want what is best for the group and work very hard to get it. I love it when they get mad at me and then they really turn it on! I have never had a saxophone section this good in any of my previous positions. It is not by chance that Mr. Bussell is a world class saxophone player himself.

We have a three day weekend because of Labor Day. I have never rehearsed on Labor Day in all my years of directing and don't plan to anytime soon. Holidays are meant to be with family and I hope all of my students have a great weekend. Of course, they can always practice between picnics and other events!