Chapter one: Introductions
There are so many people that come in and out of the band room doors. Some only enter once a day, when it is time for their class and then they leave not returning to the room unless they need something. Then there are those who are in their from time to time. They come in and hang out on their free time and talk to other members of different classes. And then there are some who are always there, unless they have to do something else, or get kicked out, they are in that room, it's like home to them. I am one of those who are always in there. When I am in that room, I leave all the problems of school behind and enter another world. A world that is much more different than the one out there. Yeah call me odd for thinking like that, but hey, I don't care. I like being in that room. You can always find me there.
Oh dear, I have been rambling on for so long that I haven't introduced myself. My name is Sarah Elizabeth Neil. I am 16 years old and I am a proud band geek. And I do not deny the truth. I am a hybrid. A hybrid in band terms is one that can play more than one instrument or section. I play trombone and percussion. But I've been a percussionist longer than I have been a trombone player. But I am happy with what I can do though. I am a part of a special group of about 20 students that call themselves "The True Low Brasses" which is an honor since there is like almost 135 brass players in our band total. The True Low Brasses, are a bunch of trombones, euphoniums, baritones, and sousaphones (otherwise known as tubas.) They are kind of like a gang in themselves. They fight with one another over everything. From mouthpieces and chairs to even music. I am last chair, and I don't fight and I stay very quiet in my class and play when I am asked to play by myself. I decided before I got into The True Low Brasses, that I would not challenge anyone and I would not fight over who get what part. I would leave that to my counter parts.
The "boss" I call him of The True Low Brasses goes by the name of Alex Swanson. He's a senior and loves to make sure that everyone in the group would know that he is a the boss. He is also our assistant drum major. Meaning he places us higher than any other group in our marching band. What a nice thing, if he wasn't so arrogant himself. He trounces us and then when he isn't right, he won't accept any of our constructive criticism.
And then there is a group of members called "The Tops". The Tops are basically seniors that have the feeling of being at the top. (when honestly none of them deserve it) They are all wrapped around the finger of one named Sean Kavorikina. He is basically the head of The Tops, all seniors bow to his authority including Alex on some occasions. He has a nice side to him, but it isn't seen by many of us. The side that most of us do see is his demanding my-way-or-the-highway attitude, and he gets away with so many things that people like me would have gotten written up for. And he runs us over time and time again. Not being considerate of other members feelings. Unless they are like him. Then there are no problems.
And then there are those called "The Powerhouses" they are the ones that are most likely going to be carrying on the legacy of "The Tops". But the difference between The Tops and The Powerhouses, are that The Powerhouses are much more kinder and are usually the ones that get run over by The Tops. Most of The Powerhouses are Juniors, some sophomores and a few seniors that refused to be part of The Tops. I am one of these elite few that are The Powerhouses. I have earned the respect and friendship of many of The Powerhouses. In fact, two of them are my best friends. Stephanie Louis and John Andrews.
If there was a leader of The Powerhouses, Stephanie would be the leader. Stephanie is a junior and she is Vice President of our band council. In fact, sometimes, I think that she should be our President. And for some really weird reason, she always seems to be the one that The Tops target as the one that they work against. But she somehow has the grace and humility to push off what they say and do against her. I admire her courage and strength through all the crap that she goes through. Cause she puts up with a lot of stuff…..
And then there is Stephanie's boyfriend, who would be like the second in command to The Powerhouses. John Andrews, is a junior and he is also a member of The True Low Brasses. In fact, he is second in command of The True Low Brasses. He was the one who convinced me to play trombone. And I have no idea as to why. He says to me "Sarah, I asked you to play trombone because our line needs more charisma and less drama. More music appreciation and less politics." But sometimes I wonder if there is more to it than that. But I shrug it off because he has a endless love of music. It's even stronger than my love for music. And trust me, I can barely go ten minutes without playing a song in my head. John is also a percussionist, but on a part time scale. He prefers winter season where we have so much fun.
Then there are the percussionists themselves. Most of them are drummers, I am sorry, but that is the truth and it cannot be changed. I mean there aren't that many mallet players and auxiliary players in a percussion line nowadays as it is. Now contrary to popular belief, percussionists are smart people and they can keep tempo, we just kind of don't like to from time to time. And we have this thing about never stop playing. Many people ask me why do percussionists do that. I say that we can never stop practicing, other instruments can go a day or two without practicing, but percussionists, if they go one day without practicing, they are basically lost and they get left behind by other percussionists. Then there is the fact that we love to play. And then there is the fact that we also have this thing about annoying the hell out of The Tops when we play, cause they think, 'don't they have Drumline, where they can work on this stuff? Why do they do it on our time?' We love doing that to them, and there are some days where I join them on mallets or with my drumsticks.
Percussionists, have this one small section where we are not bugged by any other members of the band, and it is called "The Pits". Many of you know what a percussion pit is, but for those of you who don't, let me explain briefly what it is all about. The main part of the pit is mallets keyboards. Without mallets, there would be no drummers! The mallet keyboards are just like piano keyboards, however, you play them with sticks, not your hands. Then there are the drummers themselves. Followed by auxiliary. Auxiliary is cymbals (all forms), chimes, wood blocks, and anything else that does not fall into the drum or mallet sections. And trust me, there are tons of auxiliary. But my favorite, is the Timpani. The Timpani, or actually timpani's are the ultimate drums. All the drummers want to play these drums. A standard timpani set is 4 drums. And you set them up from largest to smallest. But it truly depends on the timpani's that your band has.
The Pit, is like a sacred zone, if you are not a percussionist, then you are really not going to understand why there are so many people in that small area. But let me try and clarify it. With the exception of lunch, concerts and drumline rehearsals, the percussionists are all split up in different classes. (and in some cases, they play different instruments.) And the truth of the matter is, that when we have a chance to be all together, we take advantage of it. Cause we never know if we are going to see all of us in one place again. (unless we have a competition, then we will see each other again.) And that's where we drum and practice. In fact, we have our own schedule of when we should practice. After we eat our lunch, any time that we are not playing, (and our band teacher Mr. Adams isn't watching us.), and all free time that we have. We just love to practice. And if you don't and you are a percussionist, I want to know what your problem is.
Then there are The Woodwinds. Bless their souls… They are clarinets, flutes, oboes, and some smaller instruments that I forgot. I don't know what it is, but I have a tendency to piss off members of that group. And it's over little trivial things that are really nothing too. Or, they are over misunderstandings. And I am sorry if this offends some members, but they also are really moody sometimes. It's like, get over it people. But hey, maybe if I played what they played then maybe I would understand, but I don't so I don't understand the whole thing about them.. So I am going to leave that section before I get myself killed by other members. (Author's Note: I don't hate woodwind players, but Sarah, and you will read later, will get very frustrated with some of the woodwinds. Power to the woodwinds!!)
Okay, let's see if I have forgotten anyone…. Oh yeah!! The High Brasses!!! They are like a gang of their own as well, but unlike The Low Brasses, The High Brasses, are much more nicer, understanding people. The instruments that fall under The High Brasses are French Horns, Frumpets, Mellophones, some Saxophones, and then there are the tops of The High Brasses themselves, the Trumpets!!! You got to love The High Brasses, cause they are such a peaceful group of band nerds. I wish that all the band members were like the High Brasses.
Then there is our blessed Band Director, Mr. Adams. He is such an awesome guy! It's like he treats us like we are his very own children! All 200 of us too! I mean, no man is perfect in the world, but Mr. Adams comes so close! He really does try to make us all happy, and he hates it when someone gets left behind. But the thing is that he hates saying no to people. But think of it like this, when he says no to someone, they get angry and turn away from band. So he always watches what he says before being truly frank with us. He wants us to succeed, he really does, and he loves it when we do. Mr. Adams has so much charisma in him. And he just tries his hardest to keep our minds open and hearts open to music.
There are also so many people that I cannot introduce to you know, but you will come to meet later in my story. But let me tell you about some of the groups that are part of our music program, they may not rival yours, but I play for a small school. And I enjoy what I do.
Symphonic Band: Basically beginner band, but not really, because most of the students in that band has played for years on end. And for some, it is actually a beginner band. The music they play, varies from small pieces to pieces that make hearts soar. Good band for rookies or those who are just in band to say that they are.
Wind Ensemble: The band that tops it all. They play the best of the best music. When I was in Symphonic band and I would watch the Wind Ensemble play and every time be taken away. And now that I am in Wind Ensemble, I get to be a part of the band that make people be taken away but what we do. It is all a matter of getting in that seems to be a problem.. You see, you have to audition and it requires some things that make members fall to pieces.
Drumline: I LOVE DRUMLINE! Every year is different than the last. And every time, the lineup changes. So we get brand new things every time.
Concert Band: It's not really a band, because it is just the Wind Ensemble playing in competition. But it also can sometimes have members of the Symphonic band as well.
Jazz Band: This band is really for those who love upbeat music. Because usually the only ones that do this are those who love music in all forms! And you also have to be willing to bend your schedule in order to attend some of the performances.
Marching Band: The ultimate band. So much to explain… Will do so later…..