Ah, Band Camp.
Say about it what you will, but I look forward to it every year.
This year, however, it was bittersweet. It was my last band camp. :(
I left last Sunday with the other officers to go down and line the marching field... except the camp had been having TONS of rain so the field was waterlogged. We ended up sitting around all night. It was awesome.
By the time the rest of the band arrived Monday morning, we had managed to construct a crude practice field on a small dry patch of the field. The lines were awful, but they worked for what we needed.
Us lucky duck officers got to go line a second field during free time. It worked out better though, as this field had shade for most of the day.
SO Here's how a typical day at band camp goes:
This year, Cara (my co-drum major) and I decided to switch things up a bit, especially in the mornings. We've always had morning conditioning (right after daily cabin inspections), but this year we put them to music! It made mornings much better!
Cara and me!
Cara, Nikki, and myself getting the band into morning workouts.
After morning workouts, we would go to breakfast. The camp we go to has a GREAT kitchen, and we're lucky to get unlimited amounts of good food (you don't understand how much of a blessing that is unless you're at a camp with teenagers).
Breakfast was followed by morning fun on the field! We usually will do a marching basics block to get re-warmed up after breakfast, and this year we added a dance fundamentals block, as we're apparently doing some dance in our show!
Whee! Destin, Jordan, Connor and I are flying!!
Hardcore across the fields!
The best part about a three hour morning block? Lunch was right there to look forward to!
Waiting to see who will go in first...
During the week, we split up into sections as our teams (Woodwinds (clearly the best), Brass, Pit, and Guard). We have a point system that begins Monday night, when all the teams have to come up with team names and a team skit. This year, we had:
Brass: Brass Got The Stash (our show theme is the 1920s, so their skit was about a brass speakeasy)
Pit: The Insiders (since they stay inside all day. Their skit was... interesting)
Guard: Gangster Girls (again keeping with the 1920s theme)
AND
Woodwinds: Woodwinds of the Caribbean (Pirates of the Caribbean spin-off. Duh!)
Oh yeah. Woodwinds won Monday night.
(Brass ended up winning the week, but that's irrelevant)
Anyways, after lunch we would have free time for an hour before breaking up into sectionals where we work on our show music and bond with our sections. After about two hours, the whole band comes together for ensemble rehersal.
Cara, being lovely and conducting the band during outdoor ensemble!
Ensemble time is always followed by a time of worship and devotions. For the last three years I've had the honor of leading the band in worship. Each day, a different officer or senior will write a "sealed order", a small devotional for the whole band to think about. We're given about ten minutes to read it over, think about it, and read our Bibles or pray.
Me and Nikki singing!
One tradition we have in our band is that we always sing the song "Seek Ye First" after a performance. It's our way of giving our show back to God. (We also sing it after awards ceremonies... coolest thing ever. But more on that later in the season!) One of my favorite My favorite part of band camp is always when we teach "Seek Ye First" to the new guys. We stand in the chapel, either holding hands or putting arms around shoulders, and we close our eyes and sing. I like to think that it's us just giving the season to God. Any wins are His.
Man, I'm gonna miss that time.
My favorite spot to sit for sealed orders is in the middle of this circular stone pathway they call the labrinyth. I have no idea why they call it that, but the center has been my spot for a few years. :)
From Sealed Orders, we go straight to dinner, and from dinner, to night fun on the field! Usually, we use this time to start learning our places for the show. We got two movements learned this year!
The best part of the day? Night activities!
It's the time where we get to wear normal clothes and sit in the AC. It's quite glorious.
Behold, a blurry picture of me and Nikki partaking in another Northside tradition:
The Trash Can Game
(Referred to by the Staff as Can-Can)
In the Trash Can Game, you link arms with the two people on either side of you.
How do you win?
Don't touch the trash can.
Easy, right?
WRONG.
You're out if you let go of someone's hand, and sacrificing yourself so your neighbor will get out is against the rules.
You have to hold on to these people whilst getting slung around the room.
You win when you're the last one standing.
Also, you MUST wear sneakers (one kid a few years back bent back his little toe). Also, members of the colorguard are forbidden from playing (a guard girl broke her arm my freshman year and was out all season).
Needless to say, it's fun. :)
Jen, me and Kirsten at some night activity!!
Well, there's the outline of a basic day!
I'll be back soon with the special events we have...
Until then, dear readers!!
-SarahCate:D
Question of the Post: Summer reading. Yay or Nay?
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