Band Camp Narrative

Summer before junior year of high school, I was looking at a lot of standardized tests, essays, a heavier school workload, college applications, and getting a driver's license; my most immediate concern, however, was the soon to begin marching band season. Spring semester of sophomore year I had decided to audition for a leadership position in the band, and I suppose I was the best candidate because I managed to snag Section Leader for my instrument, clarinet. As the final days of July passed by, I anticipated the start of a season where I would be mentoring and teaching my fellow clarinet players the complex art of marching band. A few days before leadership camp I received a letter in the mail from the Head Band Director, Mr. Larry Brown, and immediately I knew things were not going to be what I expected.

I went to school, except this time with a funny feeling, knowing this was the last time I would ever see any of them. All my friends and other family, I wouldn’t be seeing for a long time. Then the day came. We all woke up early that morning. My mom helped me and my brothers pack our bags and get ready for the flight. As a family we made our way to the airport with a drive that felt like it took a million years. Finally, we reached the airports and I was ready to collapse in a seat and go right to sleep.

I was at one of my highest points in life during my 8th grade year. I was the captain of the cheerleading squad, I had all A's, and I was inducted into the Beta Club. Nothing could go wrong, or so I thought. It was the beginning of the second semester, halfway through the cheerleading season, when everything started to fall apart. I seemed to be getting in trouble and my grades wee dropping, but I kept pushing forward to advance myself to get to where I needed to

1. Thirty pounds of metal resting on my left shoulder, I marched for hours in the blistering hot sun. The sousaphone was my greatest enemy. In 6th grade I was chosen to play tuba for our middle school band, I didn't like it at first, but it grew on me. Two years later, I had gotten pretty good. I made all state band, won some awards, and was 1st chair. I had no intention in joining the marching band my freshman year.

They (my family and doctors), for the first night, weren’t sure if I would make it or not. I was touch and go, because my oxygen level couldn’t be stabilized. I would be on oxygen and my level would be normal, but as soon as they took me off, my level would fall again. However, they had to stabilize me before they could do any kind of surgery. During this time, I think my dad as well as everyone involved got a taste of what it means that any moment, any day could be anyone’s final moment. My dad stayed every night with me. The first night, my heart quit beating twice. The first time, my dad said, “She’s a fighter, she can get through this.”. Then it happened again and my dad fell on his knees saying, “God, please don’t take her now!”. I ended up practically living in SICU for 3½ weeks, just trying to become stable enough, so I could make it somewhere else. Both my mom and dad had to become durable power of attorneys, so they could decide what my treatments would

We were this close to being stripped of our "Undefeated" title. The band sat there in the bleachers, stunned as the announcer pulled up the scores and was ready to reveal first place. Blood rushed through my veins and the butterflies in my stomach were more active as ever. After all of our hard work, it would have been a shame if we did not conclude the season with a bang. The announcer raised her microphone and everything seemed to come to a halt.

I have been in band for six years. I have been in the Northglenn High school Performance Ensemble for three years. I first picked up a flute when I was just an anxiety-ridden 12-year-old who became flustered talking to anyone who I hadn’t known for over a year. I preferred to stay in very tight knit groups where everyone had been friends for five plus years. I made the decision to stay in band when I realized I had made new friends without any effort (an occurrence I had never experienced), and on top of that, I was having a great time. At this stage in my life, my family was experiencing a lot of issues. I practically lived in the hospital waiting room my entire sixth grade year; that newfound friendship meant all that more to me. I officially decided to remain in band and join marching band when I was 14 with much encouragement from my band teacher and the promise of being able to spend more time with my newfound best friend. The summer before freshman year was spent marching on a field in grueling heat with kids who all already knew each other; the prospects of new friendship didn’t look too great… My anxiety had yet to subside but, I was having the time of my life. As the years have gone by, I’ve evolved and grown with those kids who I once was terrified to talk to. They are very much

It was October first when I woke up in my nice and cozy bed. Awakened by my light in my room and my mom yelling: “Rachel get up! You have to get ready for band.” I slowly opened my eyes and got up to go eat my usual breakfast, a Pop Tart. After I threw everything down, I got into my car and headed to the school. Once I got there I could see the two yellow buses that were going to take us to our destination. Everybody was all still tired and looked like they just got out of bed, with their hair in buns and in the clothes they slept inform the night before. When everyone eventually got on the buses we headed off to Sioux Falls. The whole ride there I wasn’t very nervous because I’ve performed this marching show so much but the tables will soon

Marching Band has been a part of my life since I was about 9 years old. “I’m with the band” has been something I’ve said since I was in the fourth grade. In 2008, my band director, Mrs. Bollaro decided she would create a Pep Band, which soon turned into the ALJ Marching Band. My oldest brother, Eddie joined, and two years later, my other brother, Giulian joined. I was always mesmerized by the pretty flags and the spinning weapons, so it was not a surprise when I decided to join colorguard. When I finally made it to the eighth grade, I was allowed to join the colorguard. From the moment I knew what colorguard was, I wanted to be a part of it. My mom, and two of my aunts were in their high school colorguards, so being in colorguard meant more than just spinning. Joining marching band meant that I was following in my family traditions, and continuing what my family had started.

The marching band has also felt like a home away from home. If I wasn’t at home with my parents, I was on the band field. While being in the marching band at my high school, my long-term goal was to become their drum major for my last two years. I wanted to be the drum major that would cause the band members to put every ounce of passion into performing the show. Once I decided this during my freshman year, I put my heart and soul into my band. I stepped up to any work my band director needed help with. Whether it was fundraising or running OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) events or lining the band field, I was there to show my band director I was ready to be a leader. My setback came when I didn't achieve section leader for the flutes

Everyone knows who the band kids are. They see the band members marching under the Friday night lights and listen to their non-stop chatter about band. It’s easy to pick them from a crowd. I, despite my chagrin to admit it, am one of those kids.

My life was great over spring break. It started with my sister turning 15 on March 10 we decorated her room, then we made her pancakes shaped like the number 15. Later that night we all went out to eat at a fancy restaurant named the cheesecake factory it was some good cheesecake. Then my friend Aidan and I had a sleepover, we played outside went to the park with our other friends like eden,cooper,gressa and olivia. The next day of spring break aidan aj and I hung out for a while. About 1:00 me and aj went golfing with our dads at canyon farms. I felt the sun shining on me, I heard the birds singing it was just a beautiful day of golfing, we played about 9 holes.

Everyone knows who the band kids are. From seeing them marching under the friday night lights, to listening to them never stop talking about band, it’s easy to pick them from a crowd. I, despite my chagrin to admit it, am one of those kids.

My parents had just attained engagement when they found out my dad had cancer. My dad had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma stage four at the age of 25 in1996. My mom and dad were shocked but had hope my dad would make it. My dad has inspired me to be the best I can be and not let anyone stop me. This unexpected event happened before I was born but tremendously affected me. This my dad’s unforgettable story.

I picked up my flag, my red dress blowing against my legs, the last move being replayed in my head.