Epilogue A.K.A. Evolution.
Now, months have passed since I first stepped on to the marching field, nothing more than a nameless Freshman. Lets just say, things have changed. Not trying to brag about myself, but I've gotten way better. I made Symphonic Band, which is the highest band a Freshman can make and I went to All-Region. I've been conducting class in vocal and our Spring trip to San Antonio was like an extra spring break...slash winning spree for our concert bands. The Band room has been closed for the remainder of the year for construction and it looks like we will be moving into our new facilities by August, just in time for Pre-band. The year is coming to a close and a little less than a month remains of my Freshman year. I have made good friends and, thankfully, not too many enemies. And a few weeks ago, I took a leap of faith. I tried out for Drum Major.
Sound too crazy? A Sophomore-to-be vying for Drum Major? Well in our band, anything is possible. Grant was a three year Drum Major, and there was one before him, and one before her. I believe in myself and it doesn't exactly make matters worse when Mr. O'Kelly comes over after Drum Major class and pats me on the back. Conducting in band is a whole new wonderful world and I'm ready for whatever it has to offer me. Who knows what will happen.
But now I'm not focused on leaps of faith or spring trips. I'm thinking about all the fun I had in band this year. From an outrageous section party, in which we were attacked by pirates, to joking with Ashley, Kristi and other upperclassmen about Harry Potter before rehearsal, to the homecoming game in which we were acquainted with the eighth graders. And let's not forget the post marching season things either, like playing duets with Hilary after school, or joking around with Hannah and Metzger in symphonic Band, or goofing off at Basketball games. It had truly been a great year, and I cherished every memory.
Mostly, I was thinking about the eighth graders at the moment, as they assembled in a small cluster before me, preparing for their parade debut in the Trail Days parade. Everything had been set in motion for the coming year. I had even signed up for my very own Band Buddy earlier that week, and after much thinking, I asked for Reed, a smart and funny boy flute who had a lot of heart and even more talent. I quickly spotted him out of the crowd and introduced him to the upperclassmen. He warmed up quickly to Kristi and Bethany especially, chatting away with the upperclassmen with an endearing sense of comfort.
It was still slightly chilly as we lined up. I was between two eighth graders because the weren't supposed together. The Drum line started up and I let out a small laugh as Reed stared in awe.
"Good, huh?" I smiled. He smiled back with a nod. Behind me, stood Shelby, another talented eighth grader who was all sunshine. I talked with Kristi, Reed and Shelby for the most part after the warm-up and the run-through and hoped I wasn't sounding like a broken record as I whisper instructions out of the corner of my mouth to my younger counterpart. But I knew it was worth it as we were called set and then, we marched. I was experiencing something new as I marched that time, the satisfaction of experience. After the parade, hugs were given out and praise was needed for the hard-working eighth graders.
"Newbies, huh Newbie." An upperclassmen said to me as I walked Reed over to the meeting spot after we'd been dismissed. I sighed. My nickname, it seemed, would stick, but I was actually okay with it. Reed seemed to have a sixth sense when I came to listening, because after I bid him good-bye and that I would see him at the Marching Clinic later on, he said something I had hoped for.
"Yes… and Amanda? Thanks for all the stuff you taught me. I really needed it." I smiled at him, knowing the answer before it left my lips.
"No problem. It's my job." He smiled back and me and went off to case up. I walked back to my own car, waving at the assortment of Band kids that waved or called out things to me. I don't know why I was in such a reflective mood but I was, thinking back to my own parade debut. So much had happened, every time I thought back that far, I couldn't help but feel like a veteran. I had something to offer the eighth graders through my experience and for that, I was glad.
Later that day, after everyone had gotten all glamed up, we arrived at the High School gym. I waved hello to the eighth graders that were helping out and entered the gym. It looked nothing like a gym. The gym was decorated in reds and golds, color guard flags from the show hung over the upper floor's black railing and a huge screen hung over the directors platform table. Cardboard cutouts of Russian style buildings created the uniqueness of our 2007 marching show. O the tables, mardi-gra beads and little pairs of red sunglasses bore our band's name and show title.
The evening was very enjoyable, the food was delicious and we laughed at the morphed pictures of the Senior Class during dinner. I wandered away from my table to greet a few friends and looked at our awards. I wasn't even able to take a picture because the table was so enormous, loaded down with the spoils of 'war', it didn't fit the screen. At the foot of the Directors table was a long row of 'smileys'
Whether it's just our band's tradition, I'm not sure, but every year, each Seniors parents decorate a small statuette of their son or daughter to receive at the end of the year. I stood in front of a Drum Major smiley and looked around for the two others like it. Down a ways, in the middle, was a smiley with a ladder, baton and ribbon on it and I immediately knew it was Grant's.
Soon, the presentation started. Ben said a few words about his experience in the band, how much he would miss the directors, and how grateful he was that Mr. Gorham had let him do baseball too. His hair was a light blonde color, as is tradition for the baseball team. I laughed when he commented that it was still Ben, but with blonde hair. Then we watched the band council video, many thank-yous were said and the directors gifts were given out.
Then, it came to the pictures. I couldn't believe some of the moments they captured. There was video from the Conway rehearsal, pictures of our first rehearsals, a group photo from Lassiter and Arlington and even an individual picture of me marching at a football game. PJ turned around and grinned at me. There were happy pictures from the spring trip and serious close-ups and goofy pre-game pictures. An entire year of the Pride in picture form. Then, they did the Senior slideshow and smileys were distributed.
Grant, Amy and Taylor won the Becky Morris service award and Corey, our amazing clarinet section leader, won the John Philip Sousa award. Before long, the night was coming to an end and grant took the podium. He talked about how he didn't want to be in sixth grade band, so long ago but had come to love the band after his sophomore year. Hearing Grant talk about his experience in all his years, all I could think about was what we would be like as Seniors.
Who would win the awards? Who would be a section leader? Who would be missing altogether? Who would be the Head Drum Major? The questions rand at in my mind until Grant recounted an experience in Wind Ensemble where Mr. Gorham had said, "I'm not going to let you down by lowering my expectation ions and accepting mediocrity." He spoke of how it touched him and it touched me in a way too.
So many years ago, I'd been a sixth grader who thought because I had been in band a whole year longer, I was supposed to be better. I was in actuality, two year behind. By seventh grade, I carried the same attitude but got a private lessons teacher. But when we went to an honor band audition, I was reprimanded by Mr. O'Kelly in the harshest of tones. I liked my band director and I was not used to getting yelled at. From there, I vowed to be the best I could, if not for myself, for the band director that had inspired me to clean up my act. Now I had become some who strived for the greatest of dreams, going as far as to try out for the spot of Drum Major at the close of my Freshman year. Mediocrity, had no longer become an option.
I had evolved from the dumb little sixth grade flute and the cocky seventh grader and even the nervous Freshman. I was now a confident Sophomore to be, Drum-Major hopeful and a teacher too, I thought as I spotted a cluster of eighth graders staring up in awe at the Senior. Grant said his parting words and stepped off the podium. I left that night with an undeniable amount of pride. After all, a new day was coming. A new band room, new uniforms, all new Drum Majors and all new faces would soon become part of the pride, just like I did. But this time, I won't be a stupid Freshman. I'll be a confident 'Newbie' veteran.
I left, looking around for Grant to thank him for his speech and tell him how much it ha inspired me. I saw him and made my way over to where he was… but my fear of Seniors got the best of me and I walked out the double doors and into the glow of the pretty May sunset. I sighed to myself. Some things never change.
Thank you to all the members of the 2007-2008 Pride of Owasso. You all played a special part in this story and I proudly dedicate this story to all the seniors. You were all amazing,. Thank you for you superb leadership and advice. Especially Melinda. You were the best band buddy I could have ever asked for. We will never forget you and good luck!
A/N: That was my Freshman year. But don't think it is all over yet. I still have three more years, so keep a wary eye out for me and Part of the Pride 2. Like I said , some things never change. J