Author's Note: If there are any grammatical errors that have been spotted
by your cunning eyes, please e-mail complaints to
disgruntledbandgeek@yahoo.com or masterbandnerd@hotmail.com. Thank you.
The Quest to be a Band Nerd
Chapter 5: The Contest
The Double Tree hotel was magnificent, and had an impressive lobby full of tables and comfortable chairs, perfect for playing cards. The irritable bandies complained loudly as they nearly tripped off the buses with their bags. Mr. Steiner was checking in with the hotel clerks, while they grabbed their instruments and tried to find their roommates.
As they clumped together by room, Steiny (Steiner) approached with the room keys. The weary band nerds grabbed the keys and sprinted as fast as their legs could take them…to wait in line for half an hour at the elevators. Although this was a nice hotel, there were only two elevators that could only fit ten average band nerds. Soon enough, the bandies were in their rooms, dozing off into a peaceful slumber.
* * * * *
The next morning, the well-rested (or not) bandies headed down to the extravagant gourmet buffet that had been placed for them. This included a couple of soggy bagels, some filthy donuts, and week-old fruit. Thank you Double Tree. Ashley was pouting at the card club table, because the waiters, assisting the other people staying at the hotel, were refusing to give her milk. Ashley was the kind of person that would die without a glass of milk a day.
As they continued through their gruel breakfast, Steiny mentioned that they should hurry and prepare for the contest. Yes, the band was not in New Orleans for only a joyful occasion, but for an actual competition. They traveled to the warm-up area via buses, and unloaded with their horns. Once inside, the bandies gazed wide-eyed with wonder at the massive pillars and gorgeous architecture that formed the warm-up building.
The Symphonic Band quickly tossed aside their cases and arranged the masses of unorganized chairs into their concert formation. They were led, for the first time ever, by Steiny. As the last echoing notes of their warm up died away, they gathered their music and walked the distance across the street and down a block to the performance hall. While crossing the street, the extremely polite New Orleans citizens blared their horns in a show of old- fashioned hospitality at the crossing band nerds, and accelerated in hopes of ridding their fair city of the poor high school bandies.
As they were directed inside, the hosts of the competition instructed them to set their horns in the aisle. The Concert Band performed, and the Symphonic Band gave a round of applause. As soon as the last song was completed, the Symphonic Band members snatched their instruments and headed speedily down back halls to the stage.
A small girl announced the usual. This is a professional recording: no talking, no smoking, no screaming out loud, unnecessary comments, etc. Although they stated that it was a professional recording, if you listened to it, you would have to laugh.
The band played through their march, Domingo Ortega, with renowned prestige and skill. The next song, As Summer Was Just Beginning, was an elegy written after the death of the smoker (wonder why he died?) and actor, James Dean. This was a slow, flowing song that forced tears from those listening. The next song was Longford Legend: three movements of joyful solos, skipping around like a happy sax. These Irish songs enchanted the audience to dance with their happiness. When the last note was finished, the audience exploded from their seats with tumultuous applause. Over exaggerate? Don't mind if I do!
The bandies felt pleased with themselves as they returned to the buses with their cases, triumph in their hearts.
The Quest to be a Band Nerd
Chapter 5: The Contest
The Double Tree hotel was magnificent, and had an impressive lobby full of tables and comfortable chairs, perfect for playing cards. The irritable bandies complained loudly as they nearly tripped off the buses with their bags. Mr. Steiner was checking in with the hotel clerks, while they grabbed their instruments and tried to find their roommates.
As they clumped together by room, Steiny (Steiner) approached with the room keys. The weary band nerds grabbed the keys and sprinted as fast as their legs could take them…to wait in line for half an hour at the elevators. Although this was a nice hotel, there were only two elevators that could only fit ten average band nerds. Soon enough, the bandies were in their rooms, dozing off into a peaceful slumber.
* * * * *
The next morning, the well-rested (or not) bandies headed down to the extravagant gourmet buffet that had been placed for them. This included a couple of soggy bagels, some filthy donuts, and week-old fruit. Thank you Double Tree. Ashley was pouting at the card club table, because the waiters, assisting the other people staying at the hotel, were refusing to give her milk. Ashley was the kind of person that would die without a glass of milk a day.
As they continued through their gruel breakfast, Steiny mentioned that they should hurry and prepare for the contest. Yes, the band was not in New Orleans for only a joyful occasion, but for an actual competition. They traveled to the warm-up area via buses, and unloaded with their horns. Once inside, the bandies gazed wide-eyed with wonder at the massive pillars and gorgeous architecture that formed the warm-up building.
The Symphonic Band quickly tossed aside their cases and arranged the masses of unorganized chairs into their concert formation. They were led, for the first time ever, by Steiny. As the last echoing notes of their warm up died away, they gathered their music and walked the distance across the street and down a block to the performance hall. While crossing the street, the extremely polite New Orleans citizens blared their horns in a show of old- fashioned hospitality at the crossing band nerds, and accelerated in hopes of ridding their fair city of the poor high school bandies.
As they were directed inside, the hosts of the competition instructed them to set their horns in the aisle. The Concert Band performed, and the Symphonic Band gave a round of applause. As soon as the last song was completed, the Symphonic Band members snatched their instruments and headed speedily down back halls to the stage.
A small girl announced the usual. This is a professional recording: no talking, no smoking, no screaming out loud, unnecessary comments, etc. Although they stated that it was a professional recording, if you listened to it, you would have to laugh.
The band played through their march, Domingo Ortega, with renowned prestige and skill. The next song, As Summer Was Just Beginning, was an elegy written after the death of the smoker (wonder why he died?) and actor, James Dean. This was a slow, flowing song that forced tears from those listening. The next song was Longford Legend: three movements of joyful solos, skipping around like a happy sax. These Irish songs enchanted the audience to dance with their happiness. When the last note was finished, the audience exploded from their seats with tumultuous applause. Over exaggerate? Don't mind if I do!
The bandies felt pleased with themselves as they returned to the buses with their cases, triumph in their hearts.