And so it ends...
Since I was a freshman in high school, I've been in marching band. Not the most noble or appreciated of extra curricular activities, it was usually always enjoyable. I began at Haverhill High School on the piccolo (no laughing is required) and I learned many traditions that went along with that section. Our horn moves were simple but our shouting of BABABRH before each game made me laugh. I met some awesome people. Each year I told myself I wouldn't do it again and each year I found myself in that parking lot in the hot August sun. I became drum major my senior year and I couldn't have had more fun. However, I didn't cry my senior game on Thanksgiving nor did I cry at finals. It was my turn to move on, no need to want to go back.
And then it came to college. I once again told myself that I would not join marching band, I was done. And then I kept getting calls from the band office and so I did, and I'm very glad I made the decision I did. My journey in the SUMB was one that took many turns, some I did not enjoy. Little did I know sitting in that circle informing my section of my name, major, hometown, marital status and whether I prefer boxers or briefs what I was really getting into. I got a band buddy, Jill Ring, who was an amazing person to help me through my transition to college, as well as the first person to hand me a beer when I was 18. My section, now the Tenors, was what I needed. I took a break from being the "ladies man" I was in high school in the flute section and met friends like Tommy, Megan, and my future big brother Jason. I joined Kappa because I was in marching band. I was indulged in a group of Alto Ladies and met my greatest friend Greg.
Each year I tried to represent not only myself but my section and devotion to an organization to the highest of my ability. Though issues arised sophomore year between our new section leader Tommy and our rookies, Alicia, Megan and Zach, I was able to convince Megan and Alicia to stay and pushed Alicia to go for section leader. After I didn't get drum major that year her and I became the tenor saxophone section leaders and we pulled the section together to actually become a great section according to Mertz. He ever said in my drum major interview this year that the section has mad great strives, that was 90% due to my leadership and I see that in Ashley. Our traditions held strong with each ride the bull or beat turned around. I wore my stripes proudly as I was a tenor. I hold my name, Swoops, somewhat proudly as well.
But even that had to come to an end, early than I had anticipated. I didn't get drum major, once again, and Mertz, as a consolation prize, allowed me to switch to the trumpet section, claiming he had bigger plans for me. So I switched and became a rookie again. I'm not saying that I haven't enjoyed my time in the trumpet section but I really feel that it was a mistake switching sections. I wasn't keen on being a senior and being treated like a freshman. Some people were nice to me, some were not, some didn't care. I learned new traditions and got to be in the same section as my girlfreind, but that didn't even turn out for the best as she got sick of my attitude... whatever. I got to play Andrea in the rookie skit, along with drenching the other sections rookies and made some inside jokes and friends I wouldn't have had I not become a trumpet. However, their actions and playing still annoy me, just as they did when I was a tenor. Problems insued in my old section, which I feel would not have developed had I still been there. It was a mistake switching sections, I finally admit, but I sitll had fun with the trumpets.
Today marks the end of all that. We have our last game, annoyingly set for 3 hours from now instead of at noon. I haven't had a tear in my eye at all with all the senior stuff we have going on. Mainly because I don't care, it's my turn to move on, just like the seniors have before me. Today I will go to the quad, early for warm ups and get my trumpet black stripes under my eyes. I will then get what makes me more proud to be in the SUMB, my saltine warrior orange white and blue. I'm skipping out on Tour with the trumpets to do one more throw with the tenors and may even pull back from the section at one point to run with Alicia and lead the band. It's my senior game, fuck traditions I'm a tenor at heart, those are my traditions. We will sing the alma mater during pregame and at the end of the game but I will not cry. My last third tier trip is today. And by 11pm, I will have completed my marching band part of life, the final pieces of that part of my life puzzle are in place. Will I miss it? Of course, it was always fun. Will I think about it in the real world? Yes, it's nice to reminisce. But I will not want to come back. I will not.
To my band buddies: Leah, Gianna, and Shannon, and their band buddies, Gene and Trevor. Be true to our band buddy tradition of being great friends, and being their for each other. I will always be there for each of you, 5 days or 5 years from now
To the trumpets: Thanks for letting me enjoy marching band for a year and not stressing me out. It was a blast, especially with the rookies.
To the tenors: My life would be incomplete without you. Keep traditions alive, whether with compassion or with force. Keep all that I've taught you in mind as you move up in the seniority of the section, we kick ass, get our shit done. But remember that band is supposed to be fun. Don't let annoyance get in the way of your goal at practice, leave it at the door. Make practice fun, whether it's band camp, saturday morning or on a bowl trip. I only have one thing left to say... LESBIAN SEX
I thought I would write this nastalgic post to get any emotions out before the game because if I cry, I will hurt someone.
And then it came to college. I once again told myself that I would not join marching band, I was done. And then I kept getting calls from the band office and so I did, and I'm very glad I made the decision I did. My journey in the SUMB was one that took many turns, some I did not enjoy. Little did I know sitting in that circle informing my section of my name, major, hometown, marital status and whether I prefer boxers or briefs what I was really getting into. I got a band buddy, Jill Ring, who was an amazing person to help me through my transition to college, as well as the first person to hand me a beer when I was 18. My section, now the Tenors, was what I needed. I took a break from being the "ladies man" I was in high school in the flute section and met friends like Tommy, Megan, and my future big brother Jason. I joined Kappa because I was in marching band. I was indulged in a group of Alto Ladies and met my greatest friend Greg.
Each year I tried to represent not only myself but my section and devotion to an organization to the highest of my ability. Though issues arised sophomore year between our new section leader Tommy and our rookies, Alicia, Megan and Zach, I was able to convince Megan and Alicia to stay and pushed Alicia to go for section leader. After I didn't get drum major that year her and I became the tenor saxophone section leaders and we pulled the section together to actually become a great section according to Mertz. He ever said in my drum major interview this year that the section has mad great strives, that was 90% due to my leadership and I see that in Ashley. Our traditions held strong with each ride the bull or beat turned around. I wore my stripes proudly as I was a tenor. I hold my name, Swoops, somewhat proudly as well.
But even that had to come to an end, early than I had anticipated. I didn't get drum major, once again, and Mertz, as a consolation prize, allowed me to switch to the trumpet section, claiming he had bigger plans for me. So I switched and became a rookie again. I'm not saying that I haven't enjoyed my time in the trumpet section but I really feel that it was a mistake switching sections. I wasn't keen on being a senior and being treated like a freshman. Some people were nice to me, some were not, some didn't care. I learned new traditions and got to be in the same section as my girlfreind, but that didn't even turn out for the best as she got sick of my attitude... whatever. I got to play Andrea in the rookie skit, along with drenching the other sections rookies and made some inside jokes and friends I wouldn't have had I not become a trumpet. However, their actions and playing still annoy me, just as they did when I was a tenor. Problems insued in my old section, which I feel would not have developed had I still been there. It was a mistake switching sections, I finally admit, but I sitll had fun with the trumpets.
Today marks the end of all that. We have our last game, annoyingly set for 3 hours from now instead of at noon. I haven't had a tear in my eye at all with all the senior stuff we have going on. Mainly because I don't care, it's my turn to move on, just like the seniors have before me. Today I will go to the quad, early for warm ups and get my trumpet black stripes under my eyes. I will then get what makes me more proud to be in the SUMB, my saltine warrior orange white and blue. I'm skipping out on Tour with the trumpets to do one more throw with the tenors and may even pull back from the section at one point to run with Alicia and lead the band. It's my senior game, fuck traditions I'm a tenor at heart, those are my traditions. We will sing the alma mater during pregame and at the end of the game but I will not cry. My last third tier trip is today. And by 11pm, I will have completed my marching band part of life, the final pieces of that part of my life puzzle are in place. Will I miss it? Of course, it was always fun. Will I think about it in the real world? Yes, it's nice to reminisce. But I will not want to come back. I will not.
To my band buddies: Leah, Gianna, and Shannon, and their band buddies, Gene and Trevor. Be true to our band buddy tradition of being great friends, and being their for each other. I will always be there for each of you, 5 days or 5 years from now
To the trumpets: Thanks for letting me enjoy marching band for a year and not stressing me out. It was a blast, especially with the rookies.
To the tenors: My life would be incomplete without you. Keep traditions alive, whether with compassion or with force. Keep all that I've taught you in mind as you move up in the seniority of the section, we kick ass, get our shit done. But remember that band is supposed to be fun. Don't let annoyance get in the way of your goal at practice, leave it at the door. Make practice fun, whether it's band camp, saturday morning or on a bowl trip. I only have one thing left to say... LESBIAN SEX
I thought I would write this nastalgic post to get any emotions out before the game because if I cry, I will hurt someone.