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.