Disclaimer: This is about my first experience of band camp in college.
Maybe too "graphic" for some! Please R&R, and there is certainly more to
come...
So, it was my first year in college. Things ere going to be rough. I had 19 credit hours plus two hours of marching reheasal every day of the week. But, I was certainly up for it. But, nothing could have prepared me for the battle I was to face at band camp. From a small town, I was used to knowing everyone, and being involved myself with every aspect of the show. Well, at college, it's totally different! With over 350 people from all over the United States, with skill levels drastically surpassing my own, as some are music majors and most had marched in Division I or II Drum and Bugle Corps, I was certainly humbled. At Western Michigan University, auditions are held basically only for percussion and color guard only, the winds not being cut at all, but for the University drumline and guard, it's war!
After the painfull process of auditions, band camp started right away. The drumline didnt even see the rest of the band save the guard until the third day of camp, and so, we were surprised at their huge sound, but I think we held our own, being the largest drumline in the nation at 45! The great thing about marching in such a big ensemble is that we spent no more than a hal an hour on marching fundamentals!!!!! I was so happy! In any case, there was so much eye candy around, you would drown in your own puddle of drool! Some of the drumline, naturally, but then there were the drum majors....
First, the senior drum major, Ben. 5'7" on a tall day, with platinum blonde hair and ice blue eyes, he KNEW he was good looking and often took advantage of it. However, he will shape up to be a great band teacher, as his heart is good. Next, a few minor characters, Jeff Nimtz, a fat and annoying major, Paul Stanton, passive and quiet, dont know how he bacame a drum major.... Nate Piena....kind of like a small rabid dog, easily excitable.
But then, there is Izzy. The other senior drum major, his name being Mike, but we just had to make fun of his last name as Idzior, so we called him Izzy! Also, going into music education, he is very sweet and has the perfect balance of forcefullness and understanding, unlike most majors! He came to us from the thumb region of Michigan, and he had marched for several years in the Madison Scouts. (He had won the I&E wind solo for '01 and '02! Incredible) I've never heard anyone play a baritone like him....anyway, so obviously, he is a great and accomplished marcher, and drum major. Well, as I mentioned before, he is a little shy, and he certainly was at band camp when in rehearsal for one of our show tunes, Big Noise, he couldn't count off right, and our director yelled and screamed at him very profusely and eventually threw off his headset and began to curse very loudly and quickly. And finally, after about ten agonizing minutes of shear terror, Izzy finally stepped up to the challenge of, "Michael, what are you doing son? I dont care what you do, just get them to play!" Izzy tried two times, screaming encouragement to no avail, then....ahah, eureka....the took his shirt off..............
Us female players, got really really dizzy, and started screaming and that was enough to encourage him to nearly take EVERYTHING off--his whistle, socks, shoes, glasses....but unfortunately, the director made him stop after that...(grrrrr....) at that time, we played as loud as ever. What a great way to start the season!!
A/N: Keep checking for part two: stripping again?!!! The sound of the centennial season end! ( as Izzy strips again...in performance), PS: Sorry it was so short, had to get it out, maybe I'll revise it...someday...........thanks!
So, it was my first year in college. Things ere going to be rough. I had 19 credit hours plus two hours of marching reheasal every day of the week. But, I was certainly up for it. But, nothing could have prepared me for the battle I was to face at band camp. From a small town, I was used to knowing everyone, and being involved myself with every aspect of the show. Well, at college, it's totally different! With over 350 people from all over the United States, with skill levels drastically surpassing my own, as some are music majors and most had marched in Division I or II Drum and Bugle Corps, I was certainly humbled. At Western Michigan University, auditions are held basically only for percussion and color guard only, the winds not being cut at all, but for the University drumline and guard, it's war!
After the painfull process of auditions, band camp started right away. The drumline didnt even see the rest of the band save the guard until the third day of camp, and so, we were surprised at their huge sound, but I think we held our own, being the largest drumline in the nation at 45! The great thing about marching in such a big ensemble is that we spent no more than a hal an hour on marching fundamentals!!!!! I was so happy! In any case, there was so much eye candy around, you would drown in your own puddle of drool! Some of the drumline, naturally, but then there were the drum majors....
First, the senior drum major, Ben. 5'7" on a tall day, with platinum blonde hair and ice blue eyes, he KNEW he was good looking and often took advantage of it. However, he will shape up to be a great band teacher, as his heart is good. Next, a few minor characters, Jeff Nimtz, a fat and annoying major, Paul Stanton, passive and quiet, dont know how he bacame a drum major.... Nate Piena....kind of like a small rabid dog, easily excitable.
But then, there is Izzy. The other senior drum major, his name being Mike, but we just had to make fun of his last name as Idzior, so we called him Izzy! Also, going into music education, he is very sweet and has the perfect balance of forcefullness and understanding, unlike most majors! He came to us from the thumb region of Michigan, and he had marched for several years in the Madison Scouts. (He had won the I&E wind solo for '01 and '02! Incredible) I've never heard anyone play a baritone like him....anyway, so obviously, he is a great and accomplished marcher, and drum major. Well, as I mentioned before, he is a little shy, and he certainly was at band camp when in rehearsal for one of our show tunes, Big Noise, he couldn't count off right, and our director yelled and screamed at him very profusely and eventually threw off his headset and began to curse very loudly and quickly. And finally, after about ten agonizing minutes of shear terror, Izzy finally stepped up to the challenge of, "Michael, what are you doing son? I dont care what you do, just get them to play!" Izzy tried two times, screaming encouragement to no avail, then....ahah, eureka....the took his shirt off..............
Us female players, got really really dizzy, and started screaming and that was enough to encourage him to nearly take EVERYTHING off--his whistle, socks, shoes, glasses....but unfortunately, the director made him stop after that...(grrrrr....) at that time, we played as loud as ever. What a great way to start the season!!
A/N: Keep checking for part two: stripping again?!!! The sound of the centennial season end! ( as Izzy strips again...in performance), PS: Sorry it was so short, had to get it out, maybe I'll revise it...someday...........thanks!