Fourth Place at Nationals Seems Like a Long Time Ago

The kids finished fourth at USSBA Nationals in Annapolis, MD, just two Saturdays ago. And already band season seem like a distant memory.

Tonight was the first meeting for Indoor Drumline. We got the schedule, the speeches about commitment, the price (OMG), and the theme. This year’s show is “The Glass is Half…”

So of course we had to go out and do the research tonight. As we (a couple parents only) changed the levels of beer in our glasses we analyzed it for being “Half…”

I’m excited about this year. Both kids are trying out yet again. They should both make it unless they really blow the tryout. It’ll be fun. This will be the last event both kids will be in. So from now until April (yes the season is 5 months long) we will savor the experience.

Victor Marching Blue Devils are 2010 State Champions

This season has been exciting. My kids' field band started with a win, which is not so unusual these days. But that win was with a score of 82.7, which was not only the highest first score ever for the band, but the highest score for the week across the state. That result put the band in a position of being the favorite for the rest of the season. And they lived up to that expectation finishing undefeated.

Victor 97.05
Orchard Park 95.65
West Genesee 95.50
Arlington 95.10
Cicero-North Syracuse 92.50
Liverpool 92.25
Webster 88.65
Central Square 87.25
Copiague 86.30
Oswego 84.80

The Dome day is quite the experience. Since this was the last for our daughter, it was also emotionally wrenching for us, her parents. It starts with a parents performance on Saturday with introductions and such. The performance is their last until states. One parent showed up with a case of mini tissue packs to hand out.

Then Sunday the kids have a few hours of rehearsal and leave for Syracuse by bus. They have a pretty clear schedule of places to be and things to do. As parents, we do a lot of sitting and waiting.

We started by watching the Buffalo Bills rally from abysmal to tie their game. Then we listened on the radio to them shoot themselves in the foot a few times to lose that game. We got to the Dome arena and parked ourselves in the nosebleed seats. Two hours and eight bands later, the first of the contenders takes the field. West Genesee Wildcats have perpetually won this event. Their dominance over time has meant it takes years to teach judges that they are not the best. Their performance however was very well done. Their show tends to stand still during the harder music. But they executed well.

Right after them is Victor. We yell and scream as parents and try to embarrass our kids. But they go out and perform extremely well anyway. The show is their best of the year. My wife is crying the whole time. I get a bit teary eyed too.

Then right after Victor is Arlington, the third of the four contenders. Their show is also well done but maybe a bit simpler than Victor's.

now we sit through six other bands waiting for the last band, Orchard Park. They have not competed against any other contender this year. but their scores have consistently put them in the top few of the state. Their show seems to me to be a lot of follow-the-leader stuff, but they are big and have a big sound. And their color guard is huge.

Now we sit for another half an hour waiting for scores. The SU Orange band plays for the kids.

During this time as parents we are babbling idiots. Nerves are very close to the surface. We aren't judges. For all we know the year's hard work may lead to a fourth place. Someone says "I'm sorry. But if West Genny wins I'm not coming next year." That may be a bit extreme. In reality we all know that the kids did their best and will be proud of their accomplishment regardless of place.

The kids form up on the field. The scores for the Small School class are announced. Another half hour goes by. More tension.

Our class is announced. They start from last and go up. Fifth is announced as a 92+ score. We get nervous.

The announcer says "In fourth place.....with a score of....95.10...." and I freak. I figured our score would be in the 95-96 range. It could be Victor.

"...from..." Oh for Pete's sake get on with it!

"Arlington...." I don't hear the rest. This is a high score for fourth. And Arlington! We wanted them second. We thought it was between Victor and Arlington. Does that mean the judges are seeing things differently? Are the judges whacked? Is this going to be another West Genny mysterious win?

Trophies are handed out. Pictures taken.

"In third place..with a score of ... 95.50..." of crap that's close. Oh please not third, please not third.

"...from..." seriously? You have to pause after each word?

"...Camilus NY, the West Genesee Wildcats." A huge sigh of relief and spike of excitement and dread all at once. We finally beat West Genny (relief). We are going to be top 2 (excitement). And Orchard Park, who we really don't think had that good a show, may win (dread).

Trophies, pictures, yadda yadda.

"In second place...with a score of 95.65...." Yowser that's close!

"...from..." Okay, this is it. If it is Victor, lots of yelling! If it is OP, do everything you can to hold back the excitement.

'...Orchard Park.." I don't care whatever else is said. We won! Well, I say "we" in the my kids sort of are we, if you you know what I mean. All the parents are muffling their sobs of joy. Well at least all around me are. There are hugs, tears...a real mess.

The only thing that matters now is what our score is. "And in first place...with a score of...97.05" and that's the last I heard. I screamed. A bit of a loss of self control here. It was probably too obvious that I immediately thought "Damn straight! We spanked your butts!" In the 2 seconds it took me to regain composure, I'm sure I offended the very nice Arlington parents around us. For that I am truly sorry.

Tears welled up. My daughter's band career from 7th grade through 12th grade included three field band state championships out of 6 years. She caps this off as co-Drum Major, saluting, walking up to collect the monster trophies, pictures, the whole nine yards.

The kids party on the field and pose for pictures. We move from the nose bleed section to crowd the edge of the field. Euphoric.

When we arrived at the exit off the Thruway that leads to Victor, we waited with the crowd. The buses were escorted at 12:45 AM through town by fire engines and police, and about 100 cars honking. Very cool.

Next stop - Annapolis Maryland for USSBA Nationals Saturday.