I am leaving my usual blogging about my own performing experience and describe my latest adventure--going to St. George with my son's marching band for band tour.
Maple Mountain has an amazing band. I speak from experience that they practice for hours and hours and hours. I speak from experience when I say that there are many aspects to being in marching band, from learning the music, learning how to do that stuff they do (I don't know the terms to use), to having a particular way of wearing a uniform, etc etc etc. Really, I mean that et cetera times infinity.
I admit, I feel somewhat lost that I haven't been more a part of this process as the rehearsing was happening, though I've been working in the MMHS band's Booster Club's Scone booth. (Yum!) And I did go to one of the performances @ BYU. But rarely have I been on the sidelines so much when Caden has been involved in a performance of any kind. I've been backstage mom, drama teacher, and fellow actor when he has been in plays. I made friends with his former junior high band teacher (we let him and his family come ride our horses) so felt like I was 'in', at least a little.
This time, I was amazed at how the band ran itself (meaning, without my help). Everyone knew what they were supposed to do. They packed up the trailer with all the instruments in step with one another. This 'item' (instrument) goes here and so and so is supposed to put that there. They hung out with their sections in a way that it almost felt like they were all one person instead of individual players. There was a synergy that pretty much blew me away.
I have never been involved in any activity except like, you know, being in a family, that spends as much time together as this band spends with one another. I'm sure this is why it felt like they were all in sync. They operate like one huge machine. I am going on and on, I know. But seriously, it was pretty awesome.
The performance in St. George was almost anti-climactic, to be honest. I'd seen the performance before, and except for the lump in my throat watching my kid perform, all gussied up in his uniform, it was pretty much the same thing. But the performance the kids did later in the day for the residents of a senior citizens home was so touching, so powerful, so tremendous, there's really no way to convey in words what the experience was like.
I hadn't really figured it out, but this was the very last performance that Maple Mountain Marching Band would perform "A Day of Infamy", their program for the year. Maybe that's why I couldn't keep the tears back during this time watching the show. I bawled and this is not a good thing. When I start to cry, it isn't easy to stop it. I did stop, but it was a little sketchy for a while.
The other activities we did on tour, going through Cove Fort on a tour (a special place for our family because my husband's ancestors established it), playing laser tag (MY FIRST TIME!), miniature golfing in a rather odd dark golf course that had black light painting all over, were enjoyable and contributed to the whole of the excursion. It's all one, and it was all fun. (Except riding on the school bus. I will continue to push for more funding for education. Those buses are TORTURE.)
I made friends with the other chaperones and hope we get to do many activities together. They must be cool people--they have some awesome kids! And a special thanks to the parents that invited us to drive home with them in the far comfier truck that pulled the trailer. That whole ride was a joy, for the comfort and the awesome company!
The one downer that happened was so minor, it's stupid, but it kind of rocked me. The second night on the tour we weren't able to get the room assigned to us and there was some speculation on just how did the deadbolt get bolted from the inside. But we got a room in the motel's other facility across the street. I admit it, when we moved over there, I cried. I felt like I was part of the group anymore and it rattled me. It upset me. I'm a baby sometimes.
Okay, there was one more thing. I didn't really interact with the kids and never really learned the names of most of them. I've added a few on Facebook, so I know them. But I had imagined all this fun stuff, playing Nertz, laughing (teenagers usually like me...), hanging out. It didn't happen. It was weird for me.
I came home from the tour so exhausted--it is hard for me to do mornings. But I did them! I was up and happy the whole time. Up meaning awake and also, upbeat and positive. I am the latter usually only after 10 AM. So this was a victory for me.
When I came home, I felt mostly gratitude, way more than I felt the tiredness.
I am so looking forward to spring band tour with Concert Band. And to being on tour again with marching band next fall.
Band tour was magical.
Keep playing!
No comments:
Post a Comment