The Drum Major

Rain was descending in light sheets. The Drum Major tightened her grip upon her mace. Her band had the misfortune to be the first band to perform on that rainy night. Normally, she would have welcomed the chance of being first, to set the standard, to see that it wouldn't be broken.

But not today.

She could hear the crowd cheering, wolf whistles and clapping sounding clearly over the gentle pitter-patter of rain. Within minutes, they would be out there, in the steadily increasing rain, fighting to win the hearts of the audience and the judges. Despite her misgivings about the rain, a familiar sensation ran through her body. They were about to perform. It didn't really matter for whom, or where, or when. What mattered was that they were performing.

Several officials walked towards them, and conducted a quick uniform check. The Percussion Section Leader had already placed plastic over the snare drums, shielding them against the worsening rain. The Drum Major gave a few words of encouragement, and strode to her position at the head of the block. She raised her head defiantly against the rain.

She raised the mace, and gave the signal for the block to start moving. The lead snare drummer started playing rim shots, guiding the band out amidst cheers and boos. The Drum Major led them out in front of the judges. After a brief pause, the band started their performances.

This is it. No turning back now. Impress the judges. Keep the school's honour. Show them that we can do it, even under this downpour.

The Drum Major glided past her fellow members in a clean and precise formation. Across several heads she saw disaster; a member had nearly slipped on the wet ground; nearly, but it was a close thing.

She strode into the centre of the block, which was dispersing into smaller units, each moving away. Now, the judges would be focusing on her.

The Drum Major concentrated. She had already done several smaller throws, but this was the climax of the performance. Her time to shine.

1,2,3,4.NOW!

She flung the mace into the air with all her might. It soared up, straight and almost perfect. She forced herself not to blink against the now-significant downpour as the mace fell slowly down, revolving.

Time seemed to stand still as she reached out and gripped the mace. The crowd cheered wildly, as she swung it back to its position.

Suddenly, the mace, wet from the rain, slipped from her grasp just before she pulled off the manoeuvre. It clattered down to her feet. The audience sighed in disappointment.

The Drum Major stood still for a brief second before she reached down and picked it up. The band came back shrouding her from view. She backed off, continuing the formation, but with unshed tears glistening in her eyes.

". and that concludes the 2003 Band Tournament for the State level! Thank you for."

The loud announcement failed to register on the Drum Major's mind as she and her band plodded silently back to their bus. No one blamed her, but she blamed herself. They had lost again, failing to get a place in the top three.

As the bus drove back, she vowed silently to avenge her mistakes. The next time the bands meet on the field, rain or shine, whether the weather was any better after they performed, (the winning band performed after the rain) they would come out as the best of the best.
I wrote this thing not through personal experience, but as a spectator, watching the competitions in our country's capital city. Even though the first band, (the one I'm talking about) wasn't the best, I admired their resolve and determination, to go on despite the bad weather, with their heads held high.

Please R&R!!!!!!!!