The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

I like to do a marching season in review type post at this time every year so here it goes.

The Good

Hey, we won 2 grand championships and made state finals. We met out goal. We most likely would have won another grand championship too if not for the "weather". We have changed the attitude of what kind of shows we perform too. We have definitely modernized. There seems to be a lot of interest from the younger students in both the high school and middle school. We marched 20!!!! eighth grade students. They should be very well prepared for next year. We seem to have some stability in the program at the middle school and I have been going over there a lot. Our colorguard program has been totally revamped and it is well on its way to being a shining star in our total band program.

The Bad

We looked like 8th place at finals. By this I mean we have worn out uniforms and equipment. We were also the smallest group at finals. We must find a way to get more students involved and move more from the middle to the high school. We also need more exposure outside of South Carolina. The judges at state are national level judges and them at least having heard of Dutch Fork previously won't do anything except help. We must be more consistent in how things are done all the way from loading equipment to taking care of uniforms and instruments.

The Ugly

We are still suffering and will continue to suffer from the turn over of directors at the middle school. Time and consistency is, unfortunately, the only cure for this problem. We are also very much underfunded so getting new equipment will be difficult. We must find a way to fundraise more money not just for equipment but for things that will make the students feel special such as chartered buses. We need more to look at the band program as a serious and worthwhile activity. Not just something to do. We need more students to take private lessons. The only way we will advance from being what we are is if we can make gains as individuals.

We have never been closer to breaking out into to being a contender for a top finish in many areas but only through hard work, understanding, and cooperation will we be able to take things to the next level.

It was a great season though and I can certainly see the future is bright for our program. Doing well and winning only make me want to work harder!