January 6, 2012

What. An. Incredible. Week. It. Has. Been. 24 hours of rehearsal over the span of four days. One incredible field show. I’ve always loved marching band, but this was a whole other beast. Being surrounded by 124 other people who are just as motivated for success as you are has been one of, if not THE most inspiring experiences of my entire life… When we had our welcome dinner after we flew into San Antonio from all over the country, we didn’t know each other at all. We were shy, timid and excessively polite. And yet, somehow, a special kind of magic happened. Once we hit the field together, it all changed. Somehow, we became the closest brothers and sisters, united in our sweat, sunburns, and pulled hamstrings. But perhaps most unifying was our drive. In the world of band, there’s All-District, All-County, All-Region, All-State, whatever. It’s all special. But then there’s something indescribably more special called All-American. There is a special kind of motivation within the US Army All-American Marching Band. Never have I seen other fellow youths who have the thirst for success so embedded in their blood. Even when we’re exhausted from a nine hour rehearsal day, we push on and give our all. We run everywhere, whether it’s to the water cooler, to the bathroom, to our sectional spot, whatever. When our director, Professor Feagin (of Santa Clara Vanguard fame) asks us for more, we give it to him and then some. I have never seen so many youths so dedicated to what they do in one place— it was a culture shock when I first got here, and I still can’t quite wrap my head around it. The show itself is amazing. I come from a good marching band, but I have never experienced what it is to be in a GREAT marching band. The differences are incredibly stark indeed. Everyone’s talented, but above all, everyone cares and is filled with true passion for what they do. We’re done with our rehearsals. Tomorrow is the performance at halftime at the All-American Bowl. Over the course of this week, I learned many lessons, gained much wisdom, made many friends, and worked incredibly hard. But perhaps the best part is that even though this is the best week I’ve ever had in my life, I feel a sense of satisfying closure. When it ends, I will be leaving marching band heaven. But I’m ready and itching to go back and tackle the world with all the experience I’ve gained in this wonderful place.

What. An. Incredible. Week. It. Has. Been.

24 hours of rehearsal over the span of four days. One incredible field show.

I’ve always loved marching band, but this was a whole other beast. Being surrounded by 124 other people who are just as motivated for success as you are has been one of, if not THE most inspiring experiences of my entire life…

When we had our welcome dinner after we flew into San Antonio from all over the country, we didn’t know each other at all. We were shy, timid and excessively polite. And yet, somehow, a special kind of magic happened. Once we hit the field together, it all changed. Somehow, we became the closest brothers and sisters, united in our sweat, sunburns, and pulled hamstrings. But perhaps most unifying was our drive.

In the world of band, there’s All-District, All-County, All-Region, All-State, whatever. It’s all special. But then there’s something indescribably more special called All-American. There is a special kind of motivation within the US Army All-American Marching Band. Never have I seen other fellow youths who have the thirst for success so embedded in their blood. Even when we’re exhausted from a nine hour rehearsal day, we push on and give our all. We run everywhere, whether it’s to the water cooler, to the bathroom, to our sectional spot, whatever. When our director, Professor Feagin (of Santa Clara Vanguard fame) asks us for more, we give it to him and then some. I have never seen so many youths so dedicated to what they do in one place— it was a culture shock when I first got here, and I still can’t quite wrap my head around it.

The show itself is amazing. I come from a good marching band, but I have never experienced what it is to be in a GREAT marching band. The differences are incredibly stark indeed. Everyone’s talented, but above all, everyone cares and is filled with true passion for what they do.

We’re done with our rehearsals. Tomorrow is the performance at halftime at the All-American Bowl.

Over the course of this week, I learned many lessons, gained much wisdom, made many friends, and worked incredibly hard. But perhaps the best part is that even though this is the best week I’ve ever had in my life, I feel a sense of satisfying closure. When it ends, I will be leaving marching band heaven. But I’m ready and itching to go back and tackle the world with all the experience I’ve gained in this wonderful place.

2 notes
Leave Note / Reblog

2 Notes

  1. temporalanomaly posted this