Our First 2008 Competition, Take Two

Our first competition turned out well. After a two hour bus ride we arrived at 1:20 PM. Everyone piled out, they had to hit the facilities, don't you know:-). We unloaded the instruments, Shako's (those nifty hats with the fun looking plumes), and the kids rushed around to get changed for the practice/warm up.

Preliminaries were at 3:15 PM. It was the first time that I had seen the show in its entirety, props and all. It was Awesome. They received first place with an 88.8, this is out of a possible 100 points. This means that we hang around for Finals.

Finals also went well. We got to see some really good bands preform. Bellevue West (our immediate rivals) really improved their performance and came in with a 3rd place ranking. It was incredible. The Bellevue East Marching Band did even better with an overall score of 90.1. We rush back to the bus in order to start preparing for the return trip.

There we were waiting for the kids and they didn't show up. They decided to hang out for the scores and awards.

Bellevue East went home with the awards for Best Drum Line, Best Horn Section, the part I'm most involved with--Best Color Guard, and First Place ranking at the our first competition. What a way to start the season!

Our first 2008 Competition

Tomorrow marks the first competition of Bellevue East's Marching Band. We will be traveling to Sioux City, IA to compete. I can't wait, or is that I can wait? I will be participating this year as a chaperone for every competion. Looking forward to the School bus ride, not!

It really will be fun! The young people are remarkably behaved for 14-18 year olds. We'll be back around midnight--wait isn't that a song?

We will be traveling to four other places with the next to last competition, an over night stay, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Wish me luck!