Author's Note: I was watching the ESPN coverage of last year's Cadets show when this idea came to me. So, I copied down all of the narration in the 07 show and used it with this. Enjoy!
"Detail, atten-hut!"
"HUT!"
This is the night that the Stone Creek band had been waiting for. It was Championship time.
As the band started to march towards the field, it was easy to see that they were excited. You could see it on their faces.
But not one member of that band was more excited then the trumpet section leader. It was her last performance. She relived the season in her head.
I believe in community. Yes, I see we're all different, but together, what we can accomplish is amazing!
She thought about her section, and the rocky start they had overcome to see the outcome: one of the closest, most talented sections that Stone Creek had seen in years. They were ready for this.
I believe in hard work. We achieve great things with practice, and more practice.
She thought about band camp, and all of the sweaty, long hours spent learning the show and perfecting every step, every measure.
I believe in choice. No matter what the world brings, this is my life and I get to choose!
She thought about her career as a musician, and how hard it was to be the only girl on the trumpet line, let alone leading her male-dominated section. But it was her choice to make, and she loved every moment of it.
We believe in progress, and we will continue to work toward what we say is possible.
She looked around at the entire band, and what this season had meant to all of them as they stood in the show's first set waiting.
We believe in the power of community, practice, choice, progress!
The drum major called the band to attention one last time.
We believe in…Now!
The music hit the bleachers with a wall of sound as the show started. It passed too quickly for her to realize what was happening.
I believe in community.
The opener was performed stunningly, giving the audience a taste of the show ahead of them. Each member of the band was stepping together, playing together, spinning together. The music spread across the field as they did: controlled, emotional, beautiful.
I believe in hard work.
The ballad seemed to calm the air after the opener, and the audience was hushed. The steps slowed, the playing slowed, the spinning slowed. Time itself seemed to slow down with the tempo, and the result was awe-inspiring and emotional.
I believe in choice.
The closer had the crowd on its feet from the first measure. Fast and loud, the closer struck with a force all its own. It was musical power from the start, and as the trumpets, along with the rest of the band, hit their last note, they knew that this was the moment. This was why they were a part of it all.
This I believe!