Dutchtown

Today was one of the days we’ve all been waiting for since the first rehearsals back in June – the first football game of the season – the day the kids finally get to put on the uniform, march out onto the field and perform – for real, not just in front of a few band parents or a few football players who haven’t left the school after practice, but in front of hundreds of people, both friends and foes, in a high school football stadium.  Its a time of excitement and adrenaline for most of the vets and something just short of sheer terror for some of the rookies.  Despite the emotions they took the field and got the job done.  Their run wasn’t perfect by any stretch but it definitely wasn’t bad.  Hopefully Mr. A will post his impressions some time in the next day or two after he has a chance to decompress and gather his thoughts.  In the mean time, here a few photos from Dutchtown….

Ridin’ on da bus…

Sorting things out in the stands…

Warmin’ up…

Big John…

More Big John…

How about some photos from field level…

And a few from the home stands…

And finally, chaperons doing what they do best…keeping track of the kids.

A Few More From Band Camp

I spent a little time sifting through a few more photos from band camp that Beth L. sent to me the other day and I thought it would be fun to post a few of the more humorous shots.  Here goes….

‘Whaddya mean you don’t have the key?  I don’t have the key either!’

‘OK, who did it?’

‘No AJ, you can’t stick your finger in the icing.’

‘When Mr. A puts the whole band in time out…I think we’re gonna need a bigger corner’

‘Joe incognito’

Two Steps Forward and One Step Back….

I’ve renamed this entry three times now since Saturday morning.  Started out with ‘All Day Practice No. 1’ then came ‘Swamp Water At Last’, but ‘Two Steps Forward and One Step Back’ seems to sum the day up best.  Hate to say it but Saturday wasn’t the best day for the Viking Band.  For some reason the focus and intensity that we’ve seen the past few weeks just wasn’t there and it made for a frustrating day for the kids and the staff.  The good thing is….its not the end of the world.  Every organization I’ve ever been a part of has gone through a rough patch or two.  Great organizations accept that those rough patches are going to happen, work through them when they come along, and come out stronger and better in the end.  For our kids, its a largely matter of getting focused and intense again then working out the kinks in the show as they come along.

Things probably seemed worse Saturday but the day wasn’t completely horrible.  The staff and kids worked on some new drill, we finally achieved ‘Swamp Water’ and there were plenty of light hearted moments to go around.

Before we get onto the photos that everyone is waiting for, I’d like to once again encourage all of our band parents, friends and staff to use the ‘Comments’ feature to send words of encouragement to the kids and staff, whether to individuals, groups or sections or to the band as a whole……with that said…..to the Viking Band members and staff….Hang in there folks, Saturday was a little rough but its just one day.  There are plenty of opportunities to regain your focus in the days to come.  We’re all proud of you and we all know what you’re capable of.  We all know that in the end you will all go out and give it “Nothing Less Than The Best”.

Mr. D

Now onto the photos….

Whaddya mean that wasn’t a chicken nuggett?

Mmmmmmm, good sandwich…..Nom, nom, nom, nom….

Hey Grant, watch out for that wall!!!

Two trumpets and a circular saw?

Ready for Swamp Water

Things were gettin’ a little squirrelly in the stands on the far side of the field.

Coming Soon To A High School Near You….

Senior Pranks

After Skit Night most of the kids, staff and chaperons  headed back to the dorm to catch a few Z’s before the final rehearsal Friday morning and the trip home…but not the Seniors.  They still had a few things to take care of…

Pranks in Progress

Worn Out

The Aftermath

A different kind of Hero

I have told the marching band members that there is more to the story of “With Quiet Courage” than they know yet.

We will explain even more of the symbolism later, but here’s just a glimpse into that story.

Our show is about heroes. While not a military hero, this former student of mine is a hero to Mrs. A, myself and many of those whom he marched with and for. In his short lifetime, he taught all of us more about the meaning of the word courage and commitment than anyone I’ve ever known.

Here’s a link to a site that I will explain a little more another time. There’s a recording of the Spirit Hornline playing an arrangement I did in Jason’s honor of your ballad (With Quiet Courage) just underneath the main picture.

Back on the Asphalt…

Band camp is behind us and everyone is starting to look forward to the start of the new school year and the fall marching season.  The kids got in a few more rehearsals before school started last Friday and their show continues to come together.

The staff and kids try to stay pretty focused during rehearsals and sometimes they get an unexpected late afternoon treat from nature.

Hey Its Good To Be Back Home Again…

John Denver’s song rings true yet again.  After a week of hard work, a lot of fun and some marginal food, pretty much everyone was ready to head home.  After a final rehearsal Friday morning we packed up, loaded up and headed home in anticipation of a few days of much needed rest before getting back down to business…

Are You Ready For Some Football???!!!!

Hey, what are those football players doing on the marching field?!

Its that time again folks – time to come out and see and hear the Marching Vikings as they support Northgate Viking Football.  Here’s the 2009 schedule:

Date             Opponent             Location

Aug 14          Woodward              TBA

Aug 28         Dutchtown              Away

Sept 4           Alexander               Home

Sept 11         Banneker                 Away

Sept 18         Hiram                       Away

Sept 25         OPEN

Oct 2             Starr’s Mill               Home

Oct 9             Fayette Co.              Away

Oct 16          Whitewater              Home

Oct 23          McIntosh                 Away

Oct 30         Sandy Creek            Home

Nov 6          Play In Game          TBA

All listed games are Fridays at 7:30 pm

Come on out and support the VIKINGS!!

Seniors-Staff Volleyball Classic

Thursday afternoon brought the annual Senior-Staff Volleyball Classic.  Some years its a chance for the seniors to inflict a little punishment on the staff.  Other years its a chance for the staff to deal out the whoopin’….

The Players:

The Seniors

The Staff

Lets get this thing started…

Game on!!

Ths seniors tried a new technique…as if Micah wasn’t tall enough already…

Now Mr. A is known to be just a little competetive but this dig may have earned him a trip to the Chiro…

In the end the staff pulled it out….but next year’s senior class looks fairly formidable…

We’ll have to wait a year to see what happens…