Playing Better Everyday

The band really played much better today. Their sound continues to improve and it is much better than most of the students realize. Our problems are in the area of rhythm but we will fix that with our old friend Dr. Beat. This year's show is certainly a challenge to all that are involved. The guard plays a much larger role in the drill. As opposed to being a frame around the band, our guard is right in the middle and fore front of things. They won visual at state last year for the first time ever so they will certainly have to live up to that to make us shine. We are also rehearsing well. It certainly looks and sounds like my band. It sure does make me feel like I have done something right in setting things up for them to be successful. This morning the weather was great, but this afternoon was a scorcher. We need to keep working hard and things that we all deserve will certainly come to us.

The 1st Day of Band Camp 2007

Things went well. I am not going to say that I feel like we are the Lower State Champions (Oh wait...WE ARE!) but things went smoothly. For the first time in my band directing career, our drill is full on the first day of camp. I did not make one phone call to try to "find" students. I figured if they wanted to be at band camp, they would be there. I think I have the right students to accomplish the tasks at hand. Today was a great set up for things to come. We learned how to use our coordinate sheets. We went over the opener and I showed them how I expected things to be played. Honestly the group played much better this year on the first day of camp than they did last year. We just kind of figured each other out again. It is kind of like when you have a family member or good friend that you haven't seen in a while and then after a little bit time you feel like you were never apart. Today was good. It was so nice to hear their distinctive dark sound on the first day of camp. The percussion section is off to a fast start as well. The guard should be one of our best features this year and seems to be building on their successes of last year. All we really need to do is find out how bad we want it this year. I have learned that a group of people set their minds to do something and want something bad enough, there is very little that can stop them from reaching their goals. So what will it be this year?

Rookie Camp Wrap-up

Today we concluded Rookie Camp 2007. I have to say if this is any indication of things to come for the rest of the season...Watch out! Today was better than yesterday and I guess that was my challenge to the group at the end of today's rehearsal. "Make today the worst rehearsal we have because every one after it will be better." One student told me today, "You haven't gotten on to us yet." My response was "Why would I? You have done everything great so far."

This brings up and interesting point that I have made before. Perhaps not everything I do at the moment is just for that moment. Perhaps, just perhaps, some of the things I do and "encourage" to make happen are not just for that moment in time. Maybe there are done for the future and to make things better for not only the current situations but for future situations.

The band has truly performed like the champions they are over the past two days. I can't wait to see what happens next. Congratulations on your first victory of the season!

Good Signals

Today was great. Things went about as well as I could have imagined. I was really pleased with the skill level of the rookies and the section leaders were great. It is almost like they knew what and how I expected things to be done. I wonder why? I was also so happy that students other than the ones that were required came too. It means a lot to know that they just like band that much. The colorguard was outstanding and it was really nice to see Sharod again. The percussion also looked and sounded great. I really enjoyed being a band director today. Also, a big congratulations to Mr. Boiteau for making it through his first day with us. I know how hard it can be to change jobs and I hope everybody will get to know and welcome him. Remember it wasn't too long ago that I was the new guy. I really think he will be a big asset to as we all get to know each other. We will continue with rookie camp tomorrow and then...the real deal is Monday. It still scares me think about the potential this band has for this year!

Ready to Go! (I think!)

Today was a day of preparation. I and the new assistant band director spent the morning lining the practice field for rookie camp and band camp. It took about 3 1/2 hours but that was good compared to last years 6 hours. We were somewhat smart last year and put 10" nails in the ground at the yardlines and hashes so it was much easier this year.

I am excited and nervous about tomorrow. This year holds so much promise and potential I am afraid to get my hopes up. Last year was a true surprise that things came together like they did. I mean we were 1/3 rookies last year. This year should be the payoff year for a lot work. I really don't think one person will not know what they are in for this year. People will know how I operate and what I expect. I really think we may show the state something new and inventive this year. Sure we could do the same type of stuff we did last year but that got us second in 2A. Only by changing and trying new things will we see if we have what it takes in 3A and at BOA. I would love more than just about anything to hear:

"Now joining us in Finals competition at Bands of America the Swansea High School Tiger Marching Band!"

We will not be the biggest band in 3A this year, but that has never been my goal. I would love to show many in South Carolina that you don't have to have the most numbers, just the most desire and heart to be the best. My short time at Swansea has made me realize a few things about band and myself. It is not about how big your band room is or how much money your students have to spend on instruments. It is not about how many staff members you can afford to hire for camp or how much you spend on your show. It is not about "stuff". It is about how badly you want something and about how much you are willing to sacrifice to get it. It is about how you feel when you finally win lower state and look back to see your band and attention just like always. It is about just liking what you are doing and who you are doing it with. We have a long road ahead of us but it is the journey that is the most fun!

More pictures of Brady Manor

Here are some more views:

Back at School

I went into work all day today to get somethings lined up for band camp. Here is a list of some of the things I did:

1. Call Coke to fill up the Coke machine.
2. Get my money bag from the office for selling reeds and other small items.
3. Call the MakeMusic corperation to get my Smartmusic subscription working.
4. Make arrangements for band camp food. We will have Subway subs on Monday and Wednesday and pizza on Tuesday and Thursday. Friday is still up for suggestions.
5. Got some tables for serving lunch during band camp.
6. Look into buses for the St. Petersburg trip.
7. Plug in my portable PA stuff (long rangers) and check to make sure they are working.
8. Talk to somebody about moving the tires aways from our practice field.
9. Find the equipment trailer.
10. Notify the custodial crew about band camp hours.
11. Call to get the grass on the practice field cut.
12.Call the ice company to arrange ice for the season.

These were just some of the adminstrative things I had to get done today. This list does even include the actual things I had to do that deal with teaching band.

The time is getting close to see if we will have a real chance to make things happen this Fall!

Hmmm...Chili!

So I was reading CNN news on the web this morning as usual and something caught my eye. A story about contaminated hot dog chili. Here is the link to the story : http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/19/sauce.investigation.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch
That got me to thinking about my hot dog chili:

So I went to the pantry and what did I see?

Some tainted chili looking back at me!

So to the computer I ran,

With my chili in my hand.

To checking numbers I did go,

What just would these cans show.

When to my dismay what did find,

My chili may make me blind!

Any way, the numbers matched my chili! I have poison chili right in my own house. The pictures are of the chili in case you doubt me. I took a close up of the UPC numbers so you could see they match the ones in the recall.

Now the question is what to do with the tainted chili? I think I may put it on Ebay to see what the market is like for poison chili. I really don't know. May I should eat it and go for the big retirement law suit! That would be of little use though if I am dead. I think Ebay is the best choice. Well any way I hope this will serve as a lesson to you all out there to check your chili. So the next time you are out "trick and treating" and you get a nice big scoop of hot chili in your bag, don't just rush in and start eating it. Take it home first and have your parents check it for you!

Note: The first picture is of a "chilly hot dog dog". If you look close, you can see it is snowing! Get it! A chilly hot dog dog? Also, the above poem is just sheer comic genius! I even surprise myself sometimes!

Brady Manor

Here is your first peek at the soon to be Brady Manor!

Obstacles

There will be obstacles that get our way this year! We all know this is a fact of life and that the easy things are often not worth having. I, nor anybody, can foresee what may lay ahead of us this year in our journey to State and BOA competition but we are in control of at least one aspect of these obstacles. We can control how we react to them. It is often true for young people to have the attitude of Chicken Little. "The sky is falling!" When perhaps the case is just that some small and unknown thing is a little scary. Things will happen. Students may get sick. Directors may have mental meltdowns. (Not me of course!) Buses may be late. It may be boiling hot or bitterly cold but one thing is for sure. WE WILL OVER COME THE OBSTACLES! There can be no question about that. The really neat thing about obstacles is that once you conqueror one, you own it forever. That "problem" will never be in control of you again. As we begin our journey in only one week, I have to remember what we accomplished last year but I also think back to what we overcame...together. You may want read back in the archives of the blog to July, August, September, and October just to be reminded what can happen if everybody believes in something just a little bit bigger than themselves.

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

Big Meeting Tonight

Tonight is our official kick off of the 2007 competition season. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. in the high school band room. This is always one of the most well attended meetings of the year. Parents will have lots of questions and I will be available to answer them.

Now This is a Fish!

Here is a picture of my catch this morning. It was a good day and this one was a whopper! I took one of my best friends out today, and he doesn't fish a lot so I was happy that we caught a bunch of big ones. I have not been up to much lately. Just soaking up my last few days of summer break. Soon we will be at band camp and before long the days will shorten and it will October. I have a mysteriously good feeling about the band this year. I'll let you know more later.

Band Camp Letters

Well, band camp letters went out yesterday and the students should be receiving them today or tomorrow. Ted and Henry get theirs today. They were pretty excited! Ted bit it and Henry drooled on it. I am going back to the school tomorrow morning to get some scheduling issues taken care of. The drill and music is just about perfected. There are a lot of variables to remain worked out but things are off a good start.

My suggestion is to start going outside at about 11:00 a.m. and stay out until about 2:00 p.m. to get use to the heat in preparation for band camp. You can always cut the grass or just run laps around yard. (Just kidding!)

Caught some good ones today

I caught about 15 keepers today but only kept 3. They were all pretty nice fish. I just think it is nice to be on the water. My own little world.

"Some go to church and think about fishing. Others go fishing and think about God."

Happy Birthday Henry!

We really don't know when Henry's birthday is because he is adopted but we thought the Forth of July would be a great day to celebrate his on. So happy birthday Henry!

These Things I Believe

Happy Forth of July! I thought I might put a little twist on the traditional Forth of July stuff and post a few things that I believe in and hold close to me. Why? Because 231 years ago a group of people got together and made sure that people like me could say what they wanted to without fear of repercussions. That's why! Because I can!

These Things I Believe by Jon Brady

1. I believe dachshunds are actually sent down from Heaven above to watch over us

2. I believe in fishing with live bait.

3. I also believe it's ok to keep some fish to eat.

4. I believe in karma.

5. I believe GM automobiles are the best.

6. I believe in public education for all.

7. I believe that some teachers are underpaid and many are overpaid.

8. I believe that the best things in life are the things you work hard for.

9. I believe it is ok to play hard if you work hard.

10. I believe it is not only important but imperative that we protect the environment.

Finally, remember our founding fathers did not have it easy. They fought hard for their beliefs not only for themselves but for generations to follow. Read the short paragraph below. I think it says it all.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

A Nice Sunday

I had a good morning fishing with the band booster club president yesterday. It is a good place to get somethings done. We didn't have a great day but it surely wasn't the worst day of fishing I've had either. He seemed to have fun and left with some fish for dinner too.

Sad as it is, it is about time to start getting things ready to go for Competition Season 2007. I can still go fishing but there are things to do too. Today I put the percussion mailing together and it will be mailed tomorrow so they should have some of their music by Friday. I went to the school to check out the practice field and it is ok. I wish we could have some real work done on the field to make it a little more grassy but it sure is better than the asphalt we used to practice on.

Yep, it's a band director's life alright. If you want to be the best you can't just take the summer off. Before long it will be October when the real pressure comes. I can't wait!