Band Camp Send Off

Another year of band camp in the books.

Andrew's freshman marching band season has begun!

Actually, summer band began in June, went through July and then pre-camp started the first week of August and then a full week at band camp. Andrew's summer is full simply with his traveling to see his dad and dad's family. I'm so grateful to be able to work hard with his dad to ensure Andrew gets good time with all of them, but is still able to honor his commitments.

With our trip to Arizona, Andrew ended up missing almost all of July summer band. Fortunately, the band director is understanding and accommodating. Precamp and band camp both are required and we knew he'd be back for those.

1st day of precamp

Picture day

Precamp is a week of a lot of rehearsals at home the week preceding going away to band camp where the rehearsals even further intensify. The week ends with a performance preview for families of all the shows the band will perform throughout the season. I was looking forward to seeing the performance after loving it so much last year!

A week ago Saturday was the send off for band camp.  The parking lot is filled with parents and cameras, traditions of tshirts and signs for the band, sections, squads, classes, boys and girls and I'm sure many more things I know nothing about. The kids are excited and anxious to get going while the parents are a little less sometimes. I watched senior parents just as sentimental as the rookie parents sending their nearly grown kids off to band camp for the final time.  The marching band community is one that I am so proud to have been a part of as a teenager and young adult. I am loving it as a parent as well.  Band geeks for life!

 freshman boys

I didn't cry this year as he left like I did last year, however.  I think last year was a combination of it being Andrew's rookie year, as well as me being pregnant and emotional. {Although, I do have emotional moments thinking about him starting high school. :)  I really like that he will go into high school knowing upper class students from band and the transition into high school will hopefully go smoothly as a result.}  

Bags packed with snacks, trucks loaded with instruments and luggage, and busses filled with 197 kids.

Off for a week at band camp he went...

The First Last

As Andrew's elementary school time is coming to a close, there are a lot of "lasts" in the next coming months.

The first last was his final elementary band concert.  As his third year in band wraps up, I'm proud to say he's chosen to continue into junior high next year. Way to go, Andrew!

 I thought this picture was funny as he covered his face when he realized I walked up to the stage for a few minutes and was taking pictures before they began. :)  

6th Grade Advanced Band

He was very excited for us to hear their songs. Their first was "Firework" by Katy Perry. It was really good! And of course, as overplayed as the song is, the message in it is one I really love and it brought tears to my eyes to hear them playing.

 Their second song was the Theme from Batman. {Not the "na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na Bat.Man!" song though}  Their band director came out appropriately dressed to conduct the song. :) Andrew says this was his favorite song they did.



They wrapped up with "Be True to Your School" by the Beach Boys after an ensemble number.

  Lily did great through the 4th grade performance and most of the 5th grade. Fussy set in by the time it was Andrew's turn since it was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy past her bedtime, but we survived and she clapped, shouted "Yay!" and "Bubba!" quite a few times along with her whining. :)  We were just as proud of his as she was!

The Sounds of Spring

Andrew's Spring band concert was fun and filled with new and seasoned elementary band musicians--the 4th grade beginners, 5th grade intermediate, and 6th grade advanced. 

Lily is normally getting ready for bed when the concert began, so I wasn't sure how it was going to go, but she did great overall! She cried a little bit during the beginning band. I may or may not have bonked her head getting her out of her carseat though.  

I was so impressed with Andrew's group (5th graders) and how much they've improved just since their concert last Fall.  I love Andrew's band director and he's a supporter of Andrew too. The music was enjoyable and sitting in the crowded auditorium watching my son, I was so proud and just filled with happiness. He enjoys the sax and I'm so happy he'll continue again next year.  Band was such a big part of my life even through college and I'm happy to see him enjoy it as well.

Reagan is a "woo girl" at elementary band concerts. :) It's so sweet to watch her clap feverishly and "woooooooo" after each song. She's always so complimentary of Andrew after it's over and we meet up with him. 

Lily kept trying to grab the guy in front of us and a couple times she'd put her hands on his back. oops. I just said to him to sit back and enjoy his back rub.  He laughed.  She did great though considering it was bedtime!

Music Makes the Season

Andrew has continued playing the saxophone in band this year. As a 5th grader, he's now in Intermediate Band. 

They way they work the concerts in his school district, they have all the 5th graders from all four of the elementary schools to make up their band.  Same for the 4th and 6th grade bands, as well.  It works well because it's the same band directors are working with all the kids at their individual schools and then they have a few rehearsals all together.

The only downside....the place was PACKED because the holiday concert was for all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade bands.  I wasn't able to get many pictures because Andrew was sitting in the middle and it was hard to see him.  It was more important to me that we videotaped the concert too!

The saxophones had a sectional performance where they played "Frosty the Snowman". It was really good!

A few weeks ago I had gotten a call from Andrew's band director to inform me about the practice schedule leading up to the concert and I was really proud when his band teacher shared his feelings about Andrew. He said that he was really impressed with Andrew's playing ability. Since we switched school districts for this year, this program and teacher are new. Mr. Band Director said, "I'm kind of particular and you never know what you're going to get when you have when a new student come in that didn't start in our program, but I am so impressed with Andrew. He's really good and such a good kid."  YES! It is awesome to hear that your kid carries on all the hard work in parenting you've been doing and exhibits the behaviors and actions in the outside world! Thank God!

It was a fun, festive concert. The audience (parents and relatives) were clapping and cheering so loudly, I'm sure it was really awesome for these kids.  The band director thanked the parents for supporting the children, the program and for listening to practicing musicians. haha! If you were in band, have a kid in band, or had a sibling in band growing up ---beginning musicians, of course, then you'll know the honking and squeaking and noise to which he refers. :) 

I wasn't sure how Lily was going to fare since the concert started at 7:00pm with the 4th graders starting the show. That's usually her winding down to get ready for bed time of day...

She smiled and her eyes lit up listening to the beginning band and true to the scheduled baby that she is...this is how she enjoyed her brother's performance:

Andrew's band ended their portion with "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"...

It is.

We Will Rock You!

Today is my son's half birthday. :)  My baby boy is 10 1/2!  

He's celebrating with a field trip with his class!

Last night was his end of the year band concert. He has grown up so much in the last year and to watch him last night has made me so proud.

They played together as a concert band...in the winter concert, they played more as sectionals.
They've grown so much as a band together this year!

We had a really good time together as a family too!

G and I were really proud of A!
One of my favorite things is watching R watching A during these concerts...she's such a proud sister and I love how excited she claps when they finish each song!

A and his 1st band teacher

My swelling is out.of.control.