Finding the Edge

We only have 9 more rehearsals until our first competition. That is pretty scary stuff when you consider we have a long, long way to go before we are even close to being clean. We work really hard and I push the band a lot but we really need to get it clean. We are just not marching very well. I am surprised that we have not progressed much in the past 2.5 weeks. Things are, of course, getting better but we are a 5A band and we will compete in the top division at competitions so things need to get better. The weather has been amazing though. I am certainly glad we are not still putting drill on the field. We just don't make it stick. I mean we clean and work on a segment of about 5 to 8 sets and then we run it. It stays the same. The intervals don't get fixed and the same people miss the same placements and step offs. I know they aren't doing it on purpose. I just don't know the solution either except work through it. I am not sure if DF has ever been pushed this hard before but I also I am not letting up. Somebody I respect very much told me this one time:

"I am sure there are other ways to become winners. Unfortunately for you, I only know this way."

We will continue to work and I will continue to expect and insist on excellence.