Monday, October 28, 2013

Looking to Crystal Concert

Oh my GOD, I am so excited for this year's holiday concert at my school, the Crystal Concert. 

We're playing a piece called Laughing All the Way in band. It's like Jingle Bells, except on steroids. 

And in Chamber Singers, we are singing this beautiful piece called Breath of Heaven. It's AWESOME. My friend who is singing it in her choir at Purdue recommended it to my director. 

I just can't wait to perform again!!!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

The End of Marching Band, 2013-2014

This marching band season at Neuqua was truly amazing. I don't think I've worked with a group of more talented and dedicated people in a long time (besides the time I did North Central College Summer Theatre. That's a whole different story). 

Our show this year was music from the opera, Carmen, by Bizet.  The music was so well picked for this year and was very beautiful and moving. There were many times in rehearsal where I was close to tears because the music had such an emotional connection to me. We played it really well, too! I played piccolo this year in the band, so learning how to re-play it was challenging and fun at the same time. 

The drill was amazing. We did some really cool things on the field this year, and I don't think we will for a very long time after this year. We executed drill well, and I'm really proud of the way that we did. 

Not only was the actual work part of it amazing, but the social aspect was the best it has been in the past three years I've been in marching band. I connected with seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. Some of them I can tell are going to be great friends in the future. Plus, one of my really good friends joined this year as a junior, as she has loved it so far!

Band camp in August, at Monticello, was the best. The annual dance was amazing, we accomplished so much, and we had great team bonding while we were there. I will never forget dancing with my friend Will to "Get Lucky", kayaking for the first time with my friend Matt, and sitting at the senior campfire with my friends Bethany and Katie. I know these are memories that I will treasure as some of the best moments of high school. 

Although we did not place at our annual U of I festival, I am proud of the band and everything we have done this season. This Friday is Senior Night, so it will be a very emotional, yet happy night, for the seniors departing, and for the juniors (that's me) waiting to take their place. And after this season, I can't wait.