FIRST PLACE!!
Today was the Veteran's Day Parade. The parade started at 10, but we were number 108, so we didn't quite start at that time. We got there and warmed up, then quickly started marching. At first it was alright, but really really slow. We even stopped playing at the top of the hill and Welsh let the drummers put their drums down!! (oh, and by this time, in those NEW UNIFORMS!! I was already sweating to death. Instead of raining, it was about 60F outside!) I was uber tired already, lol, and my knee hurt like heck going up and down that overpass!! I think the judging started at the firestation, which was pretty close to the beginning of the parade- right on the street the overpass goes into.
We then had our first corner, and then marched down either 2nd or 1st street, where the judging would take place and the announcer guy would say 'And here's West Albany Marching Band!' (and maybe he even slipped in those new uniforms!)
The plan was to play the patriotic song for the entire length of the street, with a roll off between each repition (because you get 10 extra points if you play a patriotic piece in front of the judges). I think we played alright, and that everyone was in step.
Next was another corner. Welsh signaled to go into cadences, but some of the drummers didn't hear him, so me and about 5 others started cadences while the rest did roll off. And then band responded to roll off, so we played Don't Stop Believin' while we rounded the corner.
FINALLY the end of the parade was near. I felt like I was going to DIE, lol, I was sooo sore and my knee hurt so bad, and those uniforms were so hot! I thought I was going to die of thirst and I was getting really tired. Derek Kuntz signaled Band Halt, and then we ran over to the grass and listened to Welsh say that we looked really sharp and we did great. Then we went and stood on the Courthouse steps so our picture could be taken. After that, we packed the drums away and then were either free to leave or to stay for the award ceremony. I left and watched the ending of the parade, and then went back to the school to help unload drums once they got there.
Well, it was Tucker, Nathan, Kristina and I, and we were all wondering when Welsh would get back, when Tucker got a txt message saying 'WE WON!!'
It was SOOO exciting! I mean we won first place in the Vet's Parade!! Everyone was overjoyed, and Welsh had a smile on his face that just wouldn't go away. We had a nice little trophy, with our name engraved on it.
It was us, then Lebadon (2nd), Canby (3rd) and South Albany 4th. And those were the only high school bands. And I think Canby won last year....? I'm not sure but I thought they did, because everyone was upset that some school who's not from Albany won.
Welsh says it might have been because of the new uniforms, partly. They made us feel proud to wear them, lol, were easier to guide with and made us feel more professional in them. So I'm really really glad we got them and I think they look 'damn sexy', as Welsh says!!!
YAY FIRST PLACE!!!!!
We then had our first corner, and then marched down either 2nd or 1st street, where the judging would take place and the announcer guy would say 'And here's West Albany Marching Band!' (and maybe he even slipped in those new uniforms!)
The plan was to play the patriotic song for the entire length of the street, with a roll off between each repition (because you get 10 extra points if you play a patriotic piece in front of the judges). I think we played alright, and that everyone was in step.
Next was another corner. Welsh signaled to go into cadences, but some of the drummers didn't hear him, so me and about 5 others started cadences while the rest did roll off. And then band responded to roll off, so we played Don't Stop Believin' while we rounded the corner.
FINALLY the end of the parade was near. I felt like I was going to DIE, lol, I was sooo sore and my knee hurt so bad, and those uniforms were so hot! I thought I was going to die of thirst and I was getting really tired. Derek Kuntz signaled Band Halt, and then we ran over to the grass and listened to Welsh say that we looked really sharp and we did great. Then we went and stood on the Courthouse steps so our picture could be taken. After that, we packed the drums away and then were either free to leave or to stay for the award ceremony. I left and watched the ending of the parade, and then went back to the school to help unload drums once they got there.
Well, it was Tucker, Nathan, Kristina and I, and we were all wondering when Welsh would get back, when Tucker got a txt message saying 'WE WON!!'
It was SOOO exciting! I mean we won first place in the Vet's Parade!! Everyone was overjoyed, and Welsh had a smile on his face that just wouldn't go away. We had a nice little trophy, with our name engraved on it.
It was us, then Lebadon (2nd), Canby (3rd) and South Albany 4th. And those were the only high school bands. And I think Canby won last year....? I'm not sure but I thought they did, because everyone was upset that some school who's not from Albany won.
Welsh says it might have been because of the new uniforms, partly. They made us feel proud to wear them, lol, were easier to guide with and made us feel more professional in them. So I'm really really glad we got them and I think they look 'damn sexy', as Welsh says!!!
YAY FIRST PLACE!!!!!