#1 · Oct 22, 2010 02:34 UTC
So last week after prelims our band had several holes because of injuries and sickness. Then to make matters worse one of my drummers and the rest of the low brass in the band decided a talent show in another county was more important to them and left us with four more holes. We are a SMALL 2A band and it left us with an impossible obstacle to climb.
One of the assholes that left was the sole sousaphone player we had. In a moment of genius I remembered a conversation that I had with the band director that morning about how he majored in sousaphone and tuba in college. I asked him, "Why don't you suit up and play?" HE said he couldn't it was against the rules. I asked who the fuck was gonna know? The kid that left was about his size go put his uniform on and lets go have some fun.
I don't know the music he tells me. Dude your a music major. You know the key and your the only sousaphone on the field. Sure you can improvise and fake it.
I don't know the drill he says. Dude march the form.
It's his first year as band director and he's had a hard time gelling with this rag tag bad news bears bunch from the sticks. I'm like man how much will they love you if you take one for the team now? They will follow you to hell and back if you take this moment and join them on the field.
Long story short he did. It kicked ass and he won them over.
This week they have become a completely different band and transcended what they were and become a tight ass unit that plays with fire and gusto. It's been truly amazing to be a part of this.
As I stroll into practice today he informs me that KMEA (Kentucky Music Educators association) is furious with him and they want to disqualify the band from regionals and state. He opts for a two week suspension since it's his fault and not the bands. He refuses to take his band off the field. I ask him....what are they gonna do without you?
He says, "well funny man, that were you come in since this was all your big idea. You are now band director for the next two weeks." That means regionals and state are all MY baby.
He's not pissed at me. He's pissed at the powers that be. He's glad he did it because he won the band over. They are his band now.
I can't wait till this Saturday. If we pull off a victory now....holy shit. It will be legendary.
One of the assholes that left was the sole sousaphone player we had. In a moment of genius I remembered a conversation that I had with the band director that morning about how he majored in sousaphone and tuba in college. I asked him, "Why don't you suit up and play?" HE said he couldn't it was against the rules. I asked who the fuck was gonna know? The kid that left was about his size go put his uniform on and lets go have some fun.
I don't know the music he tells me. Dude your a music major. You know the key and your the only sousaphone on the field. Sure you can improvise and fake it.
I don't know the drill he says. Dude march the form.
It's his first year as band director and he's had a hard time gelling with this rag tag bad news bears bunch from the sticks. I'm like man how much will they love you if you take one for the team now? They will follow you to hell and back if you take this moment and join them on the field.
Long story short he did. It kicked ass and he won them over.
This week they have become a completely different band and transcended what they were and become a tight ass unit that plays with fire and gusto. It's been truly amazing to be a part of this.
As I stroll into practice today he informs me that KMEA (Kentucky Music Educators association) is furious with him and they want to disqualify the band from regionals and state. He opts for a two week suspension since it's his fault and not the bands. He refuses to take his band off the field. I ask him....what are they gonna do without you?
He says, "well funny man, that were you come in since this was all your big idea. You are now band director for the next two weeks." That means regionals and state are all MY baby.
He's not pissed at me. He's pissed at the powers that be. He's glad he did it because he won the band over. They are his band now.
I can't wait till this Saturday. If we pull off a victory now....holy shit. It will be legendary.