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Post by ruffles on Sept 19, 2016 9:16:46 GMT -5
JohnE, my grandson, is in the U Mass marching band. He is a freshman there now and went to band camp during the end of August. This band is ranked as the 6th best in the nation. It has 400 members. JohnE is one of 38 trombone players. HE LOVES THIS!!!!!!!!!!! His face is constantly filled with happy. The kids were home for a birthday weekend and we all went to a game on Saturday. Our bleacher seats were directly next to the band's. We watched JohnE, as he played his trombone while marching sideways and at off angles, and every which way imaginable, all in sync with everyone else. They have to memorize their music. What this band does, how it sounds, how well they perform, EVERYTHING, is mind blowingly magnificent. One of the things both Wendy and I are thankful for is that our couch potato kid has to go to band practice every afternoon. The only way they practice is while they are marching. They have new, silver tubas which are gorgeous! The band people are very proud of them. I don't know how anyone can march around as easily as they make it seem while also playing or 'wearing' a giant tuba or a platform of drums. I took a boat load of pictures and will likely post a few somewhere.
Wendy is connecting to the band parents organization. Among things, they all show up for tailgating a couple of hours before the games start. This may be how she was able to get seats next to the band's section.
In the meantime, JohnE is in a pre-med mode and majoring in chemistry.
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Post by meggie on Sept 20, 2016 1:10:26 GMT -5
Excellent! Glad you are all enjoying the band experience!
We don't have the big marching bands here and love to see them. The University of Washington marching band is coming up to do the halftime show for our next BCLions football game, and we have to book them years in advance. No one goes out for beer when they do halftime!
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Post by ruffles on Sept 21, 2016 8:06:44 GMT -5
If you can get seats next to the band, do that. It's FUN!
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Post by ruffles on Sept 22, 2016 18:39:53 GMT -5
Some band photos are posted on FB.
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Post by denise on Sept 24, 2016 3:21:42 GMT -5
Awww Ruff, thanks for thinking of me! That's awesome that he is enjoying the marching band. It sounds like a wonderful band and a great experience for him! Did he do marching band in high school? It is simply amazing to watch them march in all directions and formations while playing beautiful music. Our high school band was 300 and that seemed enormous, I can't imagine trying to fit 400 on the field without them tripping over each other!
Melissa played the flute and something I never realized until she played was that even though it's one of the smallest and lightest instruments, it's one of the more difficult to march with. To play the flute your arms are twisted over to the right where you can't see what keys your fingers are hitting plus it makes you twist awkwardly while marching. Also flute players use as much air as tuba players. That one really surprised me. Most instruments you blow into them whereas flutes you are blowing across the top of the instrument so it takes much more air to produce a sound!
That's great that you got to go to a game and sit next to the band. I agree, it is so much fun to watch them play. I hope Wendy enjoys connecting with the band parents organization. I learned SO much from that group and met some wonderful people! I hope you get to go to another game before the end of the season.
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Post by ruffles on Sept 25, 2016 17:35:19 GMT -5
That is very interesting about the flute! My daughter took flute lessons. She still uses it and plays for her church. JohnE was talking about another piece that they are learing now. The place where he needs to be is in another part of the field and he pretty much has to run to get there in time for it.
It makes sense that parents of band students would be wonderful people.
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