October 6, 2014

Strike Up the Band

You may recall, back in the day if you were involved in marching band, that a parade was the epitome of performance.  Hours of early morning drilling and practice, learning how to put that left foot down on the first and third beat, and concentrating on somehow playing the memorized notes of the marching tune really paid off when put to the test in front of a street lined with eager parade watchers.

It might be a frigid 30 degrees and no manner of hand blowing will keep them from freezing.  Or a sweltering summer day when you question the wisdom of wool band uniforms  Who's idea was that anyway?  Whatever the case, you adapt and you do your very best.  Because you're a member of the team and you're representing your school with pride.  

It can still bring chills to my spine when I hear "National Emblem", my Alma mater's signature song.   And I can still recall the feeling it brought to me as the drum line signaled the beginnings of the tune with a flourish of the drum riff.  It was pride I suppose: in my hometown, in the band, in the hours or practice and levels of excellence that we exuded.  And of our performance.

I felt much the same Saturday as I watched the hometown Rebel marching band march at the Festival of Bands in Sioux Falls.  Just the anticipation of catching a glimpse of the purple banner so many blocks down the street, leading the marching band, was enough to bring on the chills as the band members brought their best performance to the game field. 

They came, they performed and they conquered, bringing home third place in a slate of eleven bands in their division.  Kudos to director Mike Hegelson, who at the helm of the band these last scant few years, has lifted it to great levels.  I applaud  you all.  For being a part of a marching band takes dedication, practice and commitment.  I saw that and more as I proudly watched the members of the MCC band perform on the streets of downtown Sioux Falls.

Back in the "old" days, my time that is, most bands marched in a military style which meant the feet shuffled in a brisk, controlled gait.  I was reminded of just that on Saturday while seeing the United States Marine band, which led the parade in fine fashion.  That elite group was spot on and never faltered in their precision.  Hats were all level, legs were in tandem and the music lilted to perfection.  It was a joy to behold and I only hope that the high school marchers got to see the Marines perform.

Today, marching has taken on a whole new level of excitement.  Bands not only file down the street in orderly manner, but they stop now and then to delight the watchers with routines that include fancy moves, twirls, and intricate patterns of movement.  And the flag squad enhances it all with their costuming, colorful flags and deft movements. It's all very exciting to watch.

You see, I take music and its performance rather seriously and revel in the notion that there still is an attitude that supports that.  A marching  band at its acme, during a performance and competition such as the Festival of Bands, which attracted 31 bands in all from the tri-state area, is merely the tip of the iceberg.  

You have to take into consideration the preparation that comes long before the big day of competition. There is of course the sticky late summer rehearsals and learning to stay in step and keep the ranks straight, the somewhat craziness of fitting of band uniforms and shoes, the memorization of new music, and the early morning marching drills that occur long before a competition ever does.  

It's true dedication and I raise my hat to all who participate.  You will never, I promise, forget the experience.  For one day you will catch a drift of the song that your band played while it marched and performed. And I wish for you to experience those chills down your spine such as I have when you do.