It's in the ABC's of growing up...
So last night was my senior show, my senior day and the last regular season football game I will ever march in. It seems so final, so concrete that I can't quite wrap my head around it. To be honest, I didn't think that I would get that upset, I didn't think that I would be one of the ones to bawl my eyes out in front of thousands of people who are usually just there for the football team. But I did bawl my eyes out, starting at the end of practice. Sarv had one of the ex-bando's come up and say a few words. Then we did the whole,
How are your feet?
Together!
Stomach?
In!
Chest?
Out!
Shoulders?
Back!
Elbows?
Frozen!
Chin?
Up!
Eyes?
With Pride!
Eyes?
With Pride!
Who's got the best band ever?
UD
And I lost it around the elbows. I don't know why. If you think about it, band and being a flute has been a part of me since I was in 4th grade. Marching band has been a part of me for eight years. EIGHT! That's more than most of my friends have been friends with me. And yet, I think I kinda always took it for granted. Not in a big way of I-wish-I-did-more because I always did what made me happy and created an atmosphere where others could do the same. But I don't think I ever saw the end coming, I don't think that I ever thought that one day it would end. And that day is coming faster than I expected. Either way, mimosa's with Sarv were delicious and she made me cry again. She said that she didn't even realize that most of us were seniors and she would miss us a lot which was weird to her because she's had bands where they travel to five million places--my year has only been to Richmond, Towsend and Navy, and they've bonded very tightly. But she said that there was something about this class. We then went to Wawa and to the CFA parking lot where there was a dance party and Katie, Nicole and I were late as usual to line up.
We played Vertigo and Fight Song at President Harker's house. We all joked that we wouldn't be able to speak to him as he would smell the mimosa's on our breath. "Thank you President HHHHHH-arker." He gave us our senior pins, and thanked us for everything we've done. This I managed to stay dry eyed for. Even though President Harker seems like a really cool guy and he's keep traditions that Roselle started...it's hard to not expect Roselle there. He was the Presidente for 3 of the years I played at the President's house and it's kinda depressing that I didn't get pinned by him. But whatever, it was good. Then it was on the buses to go down to the game. On the bus, our only male flute this year (Josh) pulled out cards for all of the senior section leaders. It was crazy and I refused to read them so I slipped it into my flutist friend and thanked them for it. A lot of the flutes signed them for us, and it was really really cool of them to do that.
Got into parking lot, did the parade, tried my best as usual to not smile or laugh at the drunk tailgaters and per usual, I failed. I always end up smiling. Try not smiling when things are amusing and hilarious...it's quite hard. One guy goes to his 14/15 yr old daughter "When I get home, I'm gonna punch your mother in the face." Hilarious. Other than that...parking lot was normal, flutes not knowing what we're playing till two or three measures into a song because we can't hear the commands, you know, normal stuff. Tunnel was normal too. Pre-game was kinda cool cuz I got my name read on the loud speaker and got to go on the sideline. We got into the stands and sat in the normal seats (#9, 10, 11 respectively) with our mini-me's plus Julie P. and Christine in front of us. Needless to say it was fun, filled with brownies, first downs, and various other songs that we dance and sometimes sing to.
Halftime went well. We played Stars and Stripes Forever, Battle Hymn, Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, and Vertigo. Everything went smoothly, including our electric slide in the middle of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In. 2nd half of the game was good, constantly going back and forth, back and forth, with us scoring a touch down on 37.8 or something seconds on the clock, to tie the game. We then had 5...yes 5 overtimes and Richmond ended up beating us by 2 points. Lame, but it was all good. Post game we played Bacchanale, Malaguena, and The Who. Classic first show and even that went well. We were focused and everyone was trying to give the seniors a fabulous show. Then it was time for the Senior Show. We played Karn Evil 9 where we started with "Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends, we're so glad you could attend come inside, come inside." Then we played Mars, badly and on purpose. Sarv shook her head, laughing and turned away from us. Next was Bond Opener, where Pat reprised his role as Bond for us, and Tubas helped out...sneaking somewhat inconspiciously around the field. Then was Get It On, where Pat forgot where to cut off but it was all good...cuz, well, we put this whole show together in a week. Then it was Children of Sanchez, which I still didn't like but I never really liked any of our latin sets except maybe Mala. Finally it was one of our all time favorites....Carry on My Wayward Son. It was awesome, and brought back one of the best shows we ever did, including the five million yard dash during the woodwind feature that ended in a whiplash halt and asthmatic flutes. We sung the band dance, and managed to laugh our way through the senior show. In My Life, however, was not all about laughter. It has been a tradition that Seniors don't play In My Life during the Senior Day. I could barely sing it as I tried to keep it together and not start the contagious crying. But at the end of it, Sarv called us to the ready, then to attention, then to parade rest, and to attention again. The tears couldn't be held back anymore.
She went through the whole "How are your feet?" thing with us again, then called the underclassmen behind us together. Then, had us turn around and look at our underclassmen. Behind me was Doug Schwartz and Maggie Loughman--both teary eyed. It just made the tears come faster. She asked them, "Who's got the best senior class anywhere?" And of course they replied "UD" It nearly broke my heart. But then she dismissed us. We all started hugging and crying and trying not to cry. I caused people to start to cry, other people kept me crying.
Then everyone slowly disippated. Then Matt Kurilla, Amy Thornsen, Katie, Nicole, and I all lay on the fifty yard line and just looked up. It was seriously one of those moments where you can just feel the magic in the air and know that it's moments like that that you'll remember when you're 93 and talking to your grandchildren about. My parents eventually came on the field to collect me and bring me and Katie, Nicole and Chris back to the CFA parking lot to get my car and bring it back home. I went out to dinner with them and we went to the Texas Roadhouse where we all realize just how tired we were. But it was nothing that a little steak and potatoes and chicken wings couldn't fix. Got home, took a shower to get ready for George's and lost my voice. Actually, I didn't lose it, just it became a man's. Went to George's and had a very mellow time with people who are fantastic and that I love ridiculous amounts. Even had a sleep over with Kevin, and Nicole and I on a futon. Kevin snores when he's on his back...but both of them are very good heaters. Per tradition, we were up at 6am to Christine's alarm blaring. Fell back asleep with the alarm still going off and woke up around 9:30/10am. Cleaned up the apartment and left.
All in all, it was a very classic band weekend. It was good and filled with all the little things I love best about my band kids and the band in general. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to all of this, but at the same time, I have enjoyed it and done my best to live it up every single moment of every single second that I was in band. I don't regret anything and am so very very glad that I kept with this.
How are your feet?
Together!
Stomach?
In!
Chest?
Out!
Shoulders?
Back!
Elbows?
Frozen!
Chin?
Up!
Eyes?
With Pride!
Eyes?
With Pride!
Who's got the best band ever?
UD
And I lost it around the elbows. I don't know why. If you think about it, band and being a flute has been a part of me since I was in 4th grade. Marching band has been a part of me for eight years. EIGHT! That's more than most of my friends have been friends with me. And yet, I think I kinda always took it for granted. Not in a big way of I-wish-I-did-more because I always did what made me happy and created an atmosphere where others could do the same. But I don't think I ever saw the end coming, I don't think that I ever thought that one day it would end. And that day is coming faster than I expected. Either way, mimosa's with Sarv were delicious and she made me cry again. She said that she didn't even realize that most of us were seniors and she would miss us a lot which was weird to her because she's had bands where they travel to five million places--my year has only been to Richmond, Towsend and Navy, and they've bonded very tightly. But she said that there was something about this class. We then went to Wawa and to the CFA parking lot where there was a dance party and Katie, Nicole and I were late as usual to line up.
We played Vertigo and Fight Song at President Harker's house. We all joked that we wouldn't be able to speak to him as he would smell the mimosa's on our breath. "Thank you President HHHHHH-arker." He gave us our senior pins, and thanked us for everything we've done. This I managed to stay dry eyed for. Even though President Harker seems like a really cool guy and he's keep traditions that Roselle started...it's hard to not expect Roselle there. He was the Presidente for 3 of the years I played at the President's house and it's kinda depressing that I didn't get pinned by him. But whatever, it was good. Then it was on the buses to go down to the game. On the bus, our only male flute this year (Josh) pulled out cards for all of the senior section leaders. It was crazy and I refused to read them so I slipped it into my flutist friend and thanked them for it. A lot of the flutes signed them for us, and it was really really cool of them to do that.
Got into parking lot, did the parade, tried my best as usual to not smile or laugh at the drunk tailgaters and per usual, I failed. I always end up smiling. Try not smiling when things are amusing and hilarious...it's quite hard. One guy goes to his 14/15 yr old daughter "When I get home, I'm gonna punch your mother in the face." Hilarious. Other than that...parking lot was normal, flutes not knowing what we're playing till two or three measures into a song because we can't hear the commands, you know, normal stuff. Tunnel was normal too. Pre-game was kinda cool cuz I got my name read on the loud speaker and got to go on the sideline. We got into the stands and sat in the normal seats (#9, 10, 11 respectively) with our mini-me's plus Julie P. and Christine in front of us. Needless to say it was fun, filled with brownies, first downs, and various other songs that we dance and sometimes sing to.
Halftime went well. We played Stars and Stripes Forever, Battle Hymn, Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, and Vertigo. Everything went smoothly, including our electric slide in the middle of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In. 2nd half of the game was good, constantly going back and forth, back and forth, with us scoring a touch down on 37.8 or something seconds on the clock, to tie the game. We then had 5...yes 5 overtimes and Richmond ended up beating us by 2 points. Lame, but it was all good. Post game we played Bacchanale, Malaguena, and The Who. Classic first show and even that went well. We were focused and everyone was trying to give the seniors a fabulous show. Then it was time for the Senior Show. We played Karn Evil 9 where we started with "Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends, we're so glad you could attend come inside, come inside." Then we played Mars, badly and on purpose. Sarv shook her head, laughing and turned away from us. Next was Bond Opener, where Pat reprised his role as Bond for us, and Tubas helped out...sneaking somewhat inconspiciously around the field. Then was Get It On, where Pat forgot where to cut off but it was all good...cuz, well, we put this whole show together in a week. Then it was Children of Sanchez, which I still didn't like but I never really liked any of our latin sets except maybe Mala. Finally it was one of our all time favorites....Carry on My Wayward Son. It was awesome, and brought back one of the best shows we ever did, including the five million yard dash during the woodwind feature that ended in a whiplash halt and asthmatic flutes. We sung the band dance, and managed to laugh our way through the senior show. In My Life, however, was not all about laughter. It has been a tradition that Seniors don't play In My Life during the Senior Day. I could barely sing it as I tried to keep it together and not start the contagious crying. But at the end of it, Sarv called us to the ready, then to attention, then to parade rest, and to attention again. The tears couldn't be held back anymore.
She went through the whole "How are your feet?" thing with us again, then called the underclassmen behind us together. Then, had us turn around and look at our underclassmen. Behind me was Doug Schwartz and Maggie Loughman--both teary eyed. It just made the tears come faster. She asked them, "Who's got the best senior class anywhere?" And of course they replied "UD" It nearly broke my heart. But then she dismissed us. We all started hugging and crying and trying not to cry. I caused people to start to cry, other people kept me crying.
Then everyone slowly disippated. Then Matt Kurilla, Amy Thornsen, Katie, Nicole, and I all lay on the fifty yard line and just looked up. It was seriously one of those moments where you can just feel the magic in the air and know that it's moments like that that you'll remember when you're 93 and talking to your grandchildren about. My parents eventually came on the field to collect me and bring me and Katie, Nicole and Chris back to the CFA parking lot to get my car and bring it back home. I went out to dinner with them and we went to the Texas Roadhouse where we all realize just how tired we were. But it was nothing that a little steak and potatoes and chicken wings couldn't fix. Got home, took a shower to get ready for George's and lost my voice. Actually, I didn't lose it, just it became a man's. Went to George's and had a very mellow time with people who are fantastic and that I love ridiculous amounts. Even had a sleep over with Kevin, and Nicole and I on a futon. Kevin snores when he's on his back...but both of them are very good heaters. Per tradition, we were up at 6am to Christine's alarm blaring. Fell back asleep with the alarm still going off and woke up around 9:30/10am. Cleaned up the apartment and left.
All in all, it was a very classic band weekend. It was good and filled with all the little things I love best about my band kids and the band in general. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to all of this, but at the same time, I have enjoyed it and done my best to live it up every single moment of every single second that I was in band. I don't regret anything and am so very very glad that I kept with this.