After graduatingn I had a stint with my high school marching band as colorguard instructor. It was more-like colorguard chaperone and overall equipment handler. I didn't get to teach any new routines just help to fine-tune them. They had a choreographer during band camp and I was just helping out--for free. At one point I noticed a real gap in the show and came with about 24 counts of work. The colorguard captain said no...maybe after the next show. I obviously had little clout or push to get things done.
It was a new director too. I was brought in to help keep the kids out of trouble. :) I say that, but I was just a little older than they were. I got to do little more than clap hands during rehearsals to convey the counts and show up at competitions and take notes, check out the competition. I got a little prestige being treated like staff. That was pretty cool.
Soon I was busy being an adult: having to make real money and pay the bills. I dropped out of the activity for a while. Sometimes regular life intrudes in for a while. That's what happened. More later, bye.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
My Obsession
What do you get when you combine an athletic contest based on musicality, artistry and marching skill, a kaleidoscope of colors, pageantry, the ooohhs and aahhhs of a surging crowd's excitement, and top it off with family friendly entertainment? You get drum and bugle corps competition! I know the previous question was a run-on sentence but this activity really does have all these things, and more. Many families during the summer time of year are at little-league games, traveling across country on vacation trips, or spending time at summer camps.
All of these things are experienced in one way or another in a drum and bugle corps. Whether you are a participant, a volunteer, a staff member, a parent or fan in the stands, you can experience drum corps. You can make memories that will
last a lifetime.
I first saw a DCI (Drum Corps International) show on PBS back in 1986 or so. I
was struck by the drama, the musicianship, ohh the sheer volume the brass line
could create, the heights that the rifles could be tossed. Also, the precision and
poise that could be maintained even in 95+ degree heat! All of people on the TV
set were performing for free, and I later learned that these kids had to pay big
bucks to do it.
I soon went into high school, learned to perform in the colorguard, switched from
clarinet to trumpet in the band, and learned what marching band was all about.
Yes, marching band is drum corps but on a smaller scale. Smaller budgets,
smaller fan base, but more kids. Yes, less talent. staffing and probably poorer equipment.
It doesn't mean that you can't have fun in marching band, because you can... and
I did.
While in colorguard, I learned how to spin and toss a rifle and flag. Hours and
hours were spent in rehearsal and at home perfecting these basic movements. I
got bruises and sometimes cuts on my fingers from tossing and catching the rifle. It hurt some too!
Why did I do this? Well, I don't know. It took alot of courage being the only male in a colorguard unit. I endured much ridicule from some rednecks on my bus. I held my head up, kept at it, and eventually saw them root for me when we performed during pep rallies and games. I guess I was more in-touch with my "feminine-side" with the dance aspects of colorguard. I was probably the first person they could relate to in a colorguard. I started out as one of the "f*gs and rifles" and eventually they saw me for who I was.
It wasn't that I was unsure about my sexuality. No, not at all. In fact I was so sure of my identity as a heterosexual male that I could put myself in that environment. I mean I liked girls, and this was where some of the cutest girls were! And I get to dance with them! Okay, I have finally divilged my secret. :)
Anyway, despite the typical adolescent hang-ups, I got through high school with plenty colorguard knowlege, some trumpet talent, and alot of desire to teach in marching band, to return what I learned.
This I eventually did...
All of these things are experienced in one way or another in a drum and bugle corps. Whether you are a participant, a volunteer, a staff member, a parent or fan in the stands, you can experience drum corps. You can make memories that will
last a lifetime.
I first saw a DCI (Drum Corps International) show on PBS back in 1986 or so. I
was struck by the drama, the musicianship, ohh the sheer volume the brass line
could create, the heights that the rifles could be tossed. Also, the precision and
poise that could be maintained even in 95+ degree heat! All of people on the TV
set were performing for free, and I later learned that these kids had to pay big
bucks to do it.
I soon went into high school, learned to perform in the colorguard, switched from
clarinet to trumpet in the band, and learned what marching band was all about.
Yes, marching band is drum corps but on a smaller scale. Smaller budgets,
smaller fan base, but more kids. Yes, less talent. staffing and probably poorer equipment.
It doesn't mean that you can't have fun in marching band, because you can... and
I did.
While in colorguard, I learned how to spin and toss a rifle and flag. Hours and
hours were spent in rehearsal and at home perfecting these basic movements. I
got bruises and sometimes cuts on my fingers from tossing and catching the rifle. It hurt some too!
Why did I do this? Well, I don't know. It took alot of courage being the only male in a colorguard unit. I endured much ridicule from some rednecks on my bus. I held my head up, kept at it, and eventually saw them root for me when we performed during pep rallies and games. I guess I was more in-touch with my "feminine-side" with the dance aspects of colorguard. I was probably the first person they could relate to in a colorguard. I started out as one of the "f*gs and rifles" and eventually they saw me for who I was.
It wasn't that I was unsure about my sexuality. No, not at all. In fact I was so sure of my identity as a heterosexual male that I could put myself in that environment. I mean I liked girls, and this was where some of the cutest girls were! And I get to dance with them! Okay, I have finally divilged my secret. :)
Anyway, despite the typical adolescent hang-ups, I got through high school with plenty colorguard knowlege, some trumpet talent, and alot of desire to teach in marching band, to return what I learned.
This I eventually did...
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