I Told You!

I warned the kids back in July before we ended the marching season they would be complaining that it was cold. I really didn't hear much complaining except from me about being cold, but it was cold. Today was a good day to be in band at Swansea. A lot of people congratulated us and it was pretty neat. At rehearsal it was back to work. I can guarantee that every band in the state is after us now. Especially the ones that we shocked on Saturday night. It will take a lot of personal attention to detail by every student to have a chance at the state title this Saturday. Excellent bands are very happy that they made state and that may be enough of a reward for them. But the great bands are not revealing in their accomplishments so far but are looking ahead to state finals. In order to win state, we must get even cleaner, play better, and really perform. We have our chance to get it because we earned it. Every student must practice the small things that we talked about at rehearsal today. It is really up to the individuals at this point.

OK. Here is something really important. We do have a colorguard outfit in my size in the uniform room. I would really like to be required to wear it next Monday (and not because I like to wear colorguard outfits). So if you want me to wear it, everybody has to work really hard this week. To the parents, encourage your children to fix the little things. To the students, fix the little things. To anybody else that happens to read this blog, wish us luck and say a little prayer at about 2:45 p.m. on Saturday.

P.S. Scott, we will go fishing soon. Just think about the honor of fishing with the State Champion band director as you throw fish scales on me.

Information Sheet for the Week of October 23 - 28

Rehearsals: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Football Game: 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 27 versus Chapin
Dress: Full Uniform
Report Time: 6:15 p.m.
Performance: Half-time
Chapin’s Performance: Post Game
Dismissal: 10:45 p.m.

South Carolina AA Marching Band Championship at Batesburg-Leesville High School on October 28, 2006

Report to the stadium: 10:00 a.m. for rehearsal
Lunch provided: 11:05 a.m.
Change into uniforms and eat: 11:15 a.m.
Depart for Batesburg-Leesville: 12:00 noon
Arrive at Batesburg-Leesville: 12:45 p.m.
Warm-up: 1:30 p.m.
At the Gate: 2:40 p.m.
Competition Performance: 2:45 p.m.
Load equipment and hats: 3:10 p.m.
Awards in Full Uniform: 4:00 p.m.
Depart Batesburg-Leesville: 4:45 p.m.
Return to Swansea: 5:30 p.m.
Dismissal: ???????????

We will rehearse Saturday before the competition. We will be dressing at Swansea before we leave. Lunch will be provided for you. Please be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there. Be in the stadium on time. Do everything you can to make sure we have a chance to win it all Saturday. There is a full retreat for awards. Everybody will be on the field in uniform for the entire awards ceremony. This needs to be the best week of rehearsals ever.

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