Life Lately: Marching Band Edition [according to my phone]

The marching band season is over and boy was it a great season. From last April when the season first started with the Color Guard to Nov 1 when it ended, it was filled with amazing memories. Sneaking in a Beyoncé stretch block with the whole band during band camp. Dressing up like the director for section look-a-like day. Coming up with nicknames for the students. Becoming friends with each student. Countless cups of Biggby coffee. Dropped drumsticks, thrown drill, and band hashtags. A staff huddle under the podium during a rainstorm. Windy shows, cold shows, and rainy shows. Doing makeup and hair in a parking lot, hairspray on the bus, and intense eyebrows! I love watching the improvement from each student from their first day at band camp to their last show of the season. They have worked hard and dedicated themselves to the show and in that last 8 minutes at State Finals, it shows. Enjoy the random photos from the season found on my phone. 

^ Sometimes when the wind decides to throw all of your Color Guard equipment everywhere all you can do is Smile and Survive. ^

^ Sometimes a mug of coffee just won't do the job and you need to tap out for a few minutes. 

My two best friends Michelle and Aaron, don't know what I would do without you both in my life. ^

^ Last rehearsal of the season! It was cold and windy. What's new?!? ^

^ CPMB 2014 Color Guard ^

^ Our Wolf and Lil' Red were amazing during each rehearsal and each performance. Their dedication to their character really brought this show to a whole new level. ^

^ Watching my 3 seniors grow during the last four years of teaching them has been such a blessing. I love these girls with all my heart! 

Waiting to go on the field for our final performance. My bracelet was made by Michelle and it has my new life motto on it, "Never Look Back" ^

^ So this is what happens when students steal your phone from your bag. HILARIOUS! ^

It's time to close the chapter on 'A Wolf's Tale.' It's been a pleasure Comstock Park Marching Band. Bee out. 

Double Competition Day= Double Coffee Stop Day

Double competition day is my favorite day during the marching band season. Yes, it's a 15 hour workday but that's why it's a double coffee stop day too. Comstock Park had two great performances this past weekend. Our show, "A Wolf's Tale" tells the story of Red Riding Hood but has a plot twist at the end. The staff has had such a fun [sometimes frustrating] time putting the pieces together for this show. We have been working on this show since last December and to see it all on the field felt so great. The kids performed and really sold the story to the audience. The guard performed so well they actually earned themselves a trophy!!! I am excited to watch this show progress and improve during our last 3 weeks of the season. 

We were very proud of our girls and all their hard work. They earned this trophy, and so did we! 

I think we started a little tradition of doing a quick photo shoot during our warm up time. How fierce do these girls look?!?

Still smiling despite our freezing feet and tired eyes. So blessed to work with and be friends with these two. To quote Aaron, "yay band!"

MCBA State Finals 2013

The 2013 marching band season is over. All of our hard work from April until November has paid off with a 4th place finish out of 12 bands in flight IV!!! I have never been so proud of not only my color guard but the whole band! Comstock Park Band worked their butts off to get better and never settled for anything but their best during every rehearsal and performance.

Our staff was one big happy, somewhat dysfunctional family that trained, encouraged, and coached these crazy high schoolers. 

The weekend was one big exciting blur. It really did not feel real. The season flew by so fast. (I feel like I say that every year though). 

I can't wait for next season! Actually... I really could use a break for a while. :) 

Enjoy some pics from the weekend taken by some band moms and me. 

Come rain, sleet, or shine we will keep spinning

Michigan's weather has not been very kind to all the marching bands finishing up their seasons. Sunshine, rain, wind, sleet, hail, more rain, and lightning. This past Saturday was filled with all of that. But come rain, sleet, or shine, we will keep spinning. I am so proud of my girls for pushing through the horrible weather conditions. 

As one of my girls said, "You just need to say YOLO swag and keep going." 

CPMB had a great performance and jumped 7 points! I see the confidence building in each member as we approach the last two weeks of our season. I also see everyone having fun, which makes a huge difference within the unity of the group. From their first performance to now, they have accomplished so much. And it's not over yet, we still have 2 more shows left! 

I can't wait to see what is going to happen!!!