Stupid Baseball Bats
My section leader, Justin, got his first pair of marching sticks this year and had a really fun time learning to play with them. I might as well tell you that everyone on the line is a freshman.
Myles plays biggest bass and is third chair. Lou is our high hat for Justin and has fourth chair, and Michael is our quints player and has fifth chair. Me, Jen, seitched from bells (pit) to second bass in the middle of the season and plays mostly by ear and is second chair (I'm very lucky I don't have to conduct sectionals).
We're all used to playing contemp. Music so it was very cool to switch to classic rock/newer rock music.
First practice with baseball bats
Ebert(director) – Hey Justin, try using the marching sticks.
Justin growling – Alright
Halfway through first song Justin yells – Ahhhhh, screw it – throws stick to other side of field (many meters away) and pulls out concert sticks from stick/mallet bag – Now these are easier!
After first practice with baseball bats (aka marching sticks)
Me – Hey Justin how're your arms?
Justin rubbing his forearms – How do you think? These BBB's are going to kill me before the year's out.
Me – I'm so sorry to here that – runs from percussion room before gets wacked in head with BBBs.
Justin finally used to BBBs
Me – When are you gonna start flipping your left hand?
Justin giving deadly glare – You really must want to be section leader if you're giving me ideas on how to kill myself, don't you?
Me – No, I just like to ask questions, besides I really don't want to hold the section practices of death. That would be murder
Justin muttering – Welcome to my life.
I love Justin dearly (as friend Becca and Logan(FRIEND ONLY)) and I wonder how next year's freshie line kids are going to handle the marching sticks.
Matt (eighth grader this year) with new marching sticks – How the heck does Justin use these things?
Me – Very carefully and with a lot of practice. Welcome to marching band and the life of a liner.