The title aside, this post won't be up to my regular standards. Apologies in advance. Moral of the story - DON'T GET TONSILITIS.
Fun Fact: the marching band just doesn't work when there's only six people.
At state music camp, there are evening concerts. Students audition for performance spots in them. A subset of the marching band members who were on the camp decided it might be an idea to audition for one of those spots playing Battlefield (mainly because we all knew it).
That day, there was a weather warning for high winds meaning that during afternoon rec time (i.e. rehearsal time) everyone was confined to the auditorium. after recieving permission to use the entrance area (which had glass doors separating it from the rest of the auditorium) for practice, we set to playing through Battlefield, adapting choreography and parts where necessary to make it work. This leads me to mention
Fun Fact the second: glass doors don't stop sound. They barely even muffle it.
This was discovered when we began to notice that everyone was looking at us. To test our theory that the doors really weren't working, it was decided that I would stand outside the doors and walk backwards until I could no longer hear playing. I was fifty metres away at the other end of the auditorium and I could still hear them clearly. Fun times.
Anyway, we got to the audition and had barely made it to the drum feature when we were cut off. Apparently when you're using a tuba (me), a trumpet (Holly), two alto saxes (Kayla and Christine), a clarinet (Bella) and a snare drummer (Emily) to play something written for a 100 piece marching band, you [and this is a direct quote] "don't have enough parts covered".
We did try though. Rock on, ladies.
One day of recovery later (but not if you had an exam the day after music camp ended - moral of the story, get your year 12 assessments done BEFORE you go on camp) we all assembled at Cumberland. And by all I in fact mean a subset thereof. Because attendance was reasonably pitiful. On the upside, the majority of us were wearing our blue performance shirts. Didn't we look snazzy.
Following morning assembly we played through the circus music which we will apparently be performing for spec. At which point the sousas experienced that awkward moment when you don't have any music for your entire section. It's not ideal.
It was then onto the field for warm-ups with Normo. It's surprising how much complaining is warranted by the order to run a lap around the field. We then proceeded to run drill until lunch. To be entirely honest, I can't remember anything which happened during saturday's field sessions - I'm reasonably sure I repressed the memory due to the overwhelming HORROR.
But I digress.
Just like Rebecca Black said it did, Sunday came afterwards.
Again in our classy blue rehearsal shirts (and for the record, I am for once not being bitterly cynical, I actually am a massive fan of the shirts), we reassembled at Cumberland, still numerous people short. Greggles (sousa), I'm judging you. No-one can be THAT diseased after band camp.
Following another music rehearsal, wherein we sightread Birdland (and while we're on the subject, nothing needs that many accidentals. Seriously. Not cool.), much to the general entertainment of everyone. Thankfully, we won't need to memorise the music we're playing for tour.
It was then onto the field for some more rehearsing so that we'd look all nice and polished for when the parents arrived. But first we practiced marching in slide. This in turn brings us to yet another
Fun Fact: When you're doing slide in a sousaphone, in order to keep bell to front, you actually have to rotate past 90 degrees when marching to the left. Not ideal.
But back to the story... That morning saw the appearance of what I call my 'stabby-stabby-murder-face': a rare occurrence, but nonetheless one which generally involves much hurling of abuse. This was brought on by the profusion of people who weren't running on the field. Not OK, kids. Make an effort.
Just before lunch, we made it from the start of Opening Production to the end of Battlefield without a single stop. Oh happy day.
There was then lunch with the parents, which featured a DVD of the 2010/11 MMB season highlights. It was full of entertaining things like Holly with long hair, Zac with long hair, and (of course) Dale with dreads.
It was then back onto the field for some more drill practice, wherein Sophie coined a term which I myself will be using quite a lot - WWJD: What Would Julian Do? Because he always invariably seems to know what he's meant to be doing/where he's meant to be going. Because he's a bit of a champ like that.
This was followed by a drilldown. Much to her surprise, Holly was victorious, with Hamish (as always) reaching the top three before failing in some way. During drilldown, I discovered that when at ease, flute players need to keep both hands on the flute. Because apparently they're just that heavy.
It was then time for a full runthrough of the show. It was awesome. Following the aftermath of our success, Dane proceeded to talk to the parents about the post-spec tour which is currently in the works. I know I'm excited.
It was then time to pack up and be dismissed.
This post isn't over however. Not by a long shot. Because I have spleen to vent regarding facial hair.
This month's rehearsal saw a lot of facial hair. From Julian's 'I just went on school music camp and didn't bring a razor' beard to Shane's somewhat surprising neck-beard (I didn't think it was possible until I saw it); spanning from sax Ben's 'It isn't movember?' to Jacob's 'I'm secretly a thirty-year-old man' beard, everyone seemed to be doing what university students do before exams: grow a beard of knowledge.
Fun Fact: Facial hair won't help you remember your drill. Remembering your drill will help you remember your drill.
So shave. Otherwise come post-spec tour, I will find you when you're sleeping and shave off one of your eyebrows. And you won't know which one.
In the interim, make sure you know your drill, stay un-diseased and I'll see you all on Monday, caped and awesome.
Until then, play loud and proud.
And shave.
