Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen.
Dolly, just telling it like it is. Though, it's not 9-5 this week, it's 9-9. For those who have teenagers in band, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's band camp week.
For those who aren't familiar, towards the end of summer, all of the students in band, color guard, etc. will have several immersive weeks of practice to learn the upcoming routine for the football season. It's long, it's hot, they are grumpy, but I can say for most of the students, these weeks are some of the most memorable weeks of the year.
I think sometimes we dismiss the band as literal background noise, second to the players on the team. However, these students are the unsung heroes. Let's be real, how would a football game be without the band? I personally ONLY go to football games for the band. They are the life of the party, the joy, the enthusiasm, the fun. Band kids are a special breed. They are strong (how many of us could spend twelve hours a day running around with a tuba?), smart, dedicated, and realize the value of working together as a team to complete a goal. Most of the incoming Freshmen actually had their introduction to band during the Covid years. That means these students committed to learning their instrument via remote instruction. But here they are, years later, still learning.
So, as the air changes to the crisp, fall weather, and you start to see the clanking chains of the school buses rolling by in the mornings, take a second and remember the students who dedicated hours of their lives to learning their craft. Think about the parents who made sure they were up, fed, and ready for the day. Think about the volunteers who bring food, drinks, serve meals and clean up. But most importantly, think of the teachers and staff who have committed their time, patience, support, and love to these students by giving them more laughs, memories, and an occasional kick in the rear end to become part of something that is just magical. It's more than background noise at a football game. It's a community and one that I'm thankful to be a part of.
