Star of the Westside

Recently I've been reflecting on a part of my life back in high school that I'd kinda forgotten about. While going to Franklin High, I participated in marching band...I know what you're thinking...BAND NERD!! [FYI-my sister, Ayrel, and my sister, Brei, and my brother, Sven, all participated in it as well, so it runs in the family.] But let me explain, this wasn't your ordinary marching band that most people associate with high school where they march up and down the field in a big block playing the school's fight song or sit in the stands during football games. We had to be on the marching field at 6:40 every morning [this was following early morning seminary at 5:45], Monday through Friday, where we would practice until 8:00, maybe even 8:10, and then head to classes until 3:30 [including one period of band where we might have practiced our music in the band room or gone outside and, you guessed it, continued to march]. Then there was an evening practice once, maybe twice a week, of an additional 2-3 hours of practice. This was also following about 3 weeks of summer marching band before school even started from 8-4 in the El Paso summer heat where we practiced marching techniques and playing an instrument at the same time [not as easy as it looks...]. We performed at all of the Friday night football games during halftime and competed in roughly 4-5 competitions in a 4 month span of time.

Initially, I had decided to quit band after middle school and participate in school sports. Right before my freshman year started, my mom and sister [Ayrel] told me to at least give it a try. I hadn't even registered for it. So I relented, and went to the summer marching practices. Needless to say, I got hooked. I loved my section! I loved the music. I loved my band director. I loved the comradery. Instead of quitting band, I ended up quitting sports. And I loved it all.

After high school, I moved on and pursued different areas and putting that part of music behind me. Recently, though, I have been reflecting on the memories as well as the things I learned while working hard and dedicating so much of my time to this event. I learned what real back pain felt like. I learned what it felt like to stand at attention for over five minutes holding an instrument up without resting my arms. I learned what it meant to be physically and mentally exhausted. I learned that if Mr. Beach was happy, everyone was happy...if he wasn't, watch out! [The best advice he ever gave that I still completely agree with is "To be early is to be on time; to be on time is to be late; and to be late is very very stupid."] I learned another use for metal washers. I learned the difference between a megaphone and a mellophone. I learned the importance of staying hydrated [especially after seeing Ben, Ayrel's husband, who was standing in front of me during practice one day, pass out because he was dehydrated]. But most of all, I learned that if you wanted to make progress and be successful, you had to work for it and be dedicated to it and work together. The memories of early morning practices, bus rides to games with the rest of the French horn section and saxophones eating ice chips, band trips, and competitions are still very fresh. I don't regret my decision.


Here's a link I found on Youtube to a performance of our band my freshman year during our final tournament [we won 2nd :)].

http://youtu.be/Dc-E0t8Wcfw

P.S. I'm a little slow...but I've been looking at tutorials of how to upload a Youtube video to blogger and all I get is this little link...any ideas so that you can see the screen and just push play?? Gracias.