Action: 52 Hours
This year's marching season was particularly important for me. I was no longer performing as a marching member, but as a the conductor of the band--the leader. This season's show was one that Mr. Case said was something that he wanted to do for a while. It was called Revolution, based on on the story of the Russian Revolution. This year, our season was much shorter than before; the date for Championships was moved two weeks earlier than usual and we cut out of performing in the MBOS circuit, and focused on SCSBOA instead. We began in Anaheim at the Glover Stadium with a very rocky start, ending with 2nd place in our division that morning. This was the first time that we had lost in a non-Championship competition in four years. We were able to pick up in the next few competitions, however, gaining back our 1st position and outscoring many bands in divisions higher than us.
This year's marching season was particularly important for me. I was no longer performing as a marching member, but as a the conductor of the band--the leader. This season's show was one that Mr. Case said was something that he wanted to do for a while. It was called Revolution, based on on the story of the Russian Revolution. This year, our season was much shorter than before; the date for Championships was moved two weeks earlier than usual and we cut out of performing in the MBOS circuit, and focused on SCSBOA instead. We began in Anaheim at the Glover Stadium with a very rocky start, ending with 2nd place in our division that morning. This was the first time that we had lost in a non-Championship competition in four years. We were able to pick up in the next few competitions, however, gaining back our 1st position and outscoring many bands in divisions higher than us.
When it came to Championships, we were ranked as the fourth seed out of 35 other bands in our division. Overall, our morale was fairly low because of the rough beginning of the season. We experienced the loss of many members and the lack of significant gain. As we began stacking up wins, however, I was able to sense a sort of shift in the way the band members began working. They became more efficient and more like the marching regiment that I had come to know in the past two years that I have performed in it. The last week before our Finals, known as "Champs Week," was a truly phenomenal period. We rehearsed every day that week from three to four hours and each and every one of the band members stepped up their game. When we stepped foot onto Aliso Niguel High School for SCSBOA Championships, I knew that we were much better off than we were before. That afternoon, we performed against the top twelve bands in Southern California and ranked 3rd place out of the division. Our usual rivals, Los Angeles and San Marcos, upped their game this season and outscored us.
The experience of being a drum major was very unique to me. I had to step out of my comfort zone and take the role as a leader of the band, often having to take initiative and lead parts of rehearsals by myself. I know the band also felt my discomfort of leading and they graciously helped me and supported me through my journey. When I was first asked by Mr. Case to become drum major, I really had no idea what to expect. I originally thought that all there was is conducting and that all I needed to learn was to wave my arms around. There was, however, much much more that was required of me. I needed to learn how to communicate between my peers on that are marching on the field and the instructors that are relaying commands and rehearsal plans. I had to make sure that each member of the band was warmed-up, both physically and musically. I had to ensure that the field was ready for rehearsal, whether that meant spray-painting it in front of the school or sticking blue tape at four-step intervals in the stadium. I had to translate the marching language of "pages and sets" to measure numbers for the front ensemble.
On the field, there is a lot of things going on. Communication is ideal, but not in the usual sense of speaking to one another. For example, one of the biggest duties for me is to watch the center snare's feet (Ricky Baca) and conduct based on that. From there, the band and color-guard watches me for their tempo. The front ensembles listens back to the "battery" (the marching drum-line) and gets their tempo from that. Color-guard members stay in sync with one another by counting on the field. In a band our size, each and every single member of the marching unit needs to participate. I am extremely proud of the sacrifices that each band member had to make this season, especially the many hours of their days. The skill level and physical preparation that each member brought to rehearsal each day helped us succeed. When we were at a competition at West Covina High School, the flute section leader from the host band told me that our two-person flute section projected so much more than her five-person one.
The experience was an overall great one. I was challenged both intellectually and physically at the beginning of the season. Conforming to the mindset of a drum major was a great change that I underwent. Physically, conducting is a lot of work! I had no idea how much my arms would burn after three minutes. When we put together all eight minutes of the show, I thought my arms were going to fall off.
This season was truly unique to me and I value it as a one-of-a-kind learning experience. My class in the band only has one more season of performing. We are all unsure of what will happen next year, but we all have high hopes. All I know is that my arms will be ready for another season of non-stop conducting.
The experience was an overall great one. I was challenged both intellectually and physically at the beginning of the season. Conforming to the mindset of a drum major was a great change that I underwent. Physically, conducting is a lot of work! I had no idea how much my arms would burn after three minutes. When we put together all eight minutes of the show, I thought my arms were going to fall off.
This season was truly unique to me and I value it as a one-of-a-kind learning experience. My class in the band only has one more season of performing. We are all unsure of what will happen next year, but we all have high hopes. All I know is that my arms will be ready for another season of non-stop conducting.