The Uncompetitive Feeling of State Marching Band

The year: 2003, the time: ....uh, sometime between 12pm and 4pm, the location:  UW-Whitewater Stadium, the what-for: WSMA State Marching Band Championships.  I was experiencing the first of what would be 7 more years of state competition as a color guard coach.  Little did I know of all the fun I'd have or the wonderful people (students included) that I'd work with as we all grew up and got better at that little thing called marching band.

This year, however, I am no longer a coach.  There are many reasons for this development in my life, but to put it simply, it was time to move on.  I have missed working with the girls, designing flags/uniforms, and coming up with fun work for them to do.  I have enjoyed the increase in the freedom of my schedule and having time to appreciate the Autumn instead of missing it completely.  And, as I sat in the stadium at UW-Whitewater as merely a spectator for the first time ever, I realized that I did not miss the competitive feeling of being a coach, connected to a specific band, at the state competition.  I found myself laughing and cheering with my fellow audience members, asking them questions about their schools' shows, congratulating them on a job well-done.  I wasn't worried about the score my girls were going to achieve but focused on how much fun they were having throwing those wheels around (their show was called Rawhide...complete with cacti, wagon wheels, cowboy hats, and broken fence posts).  It was great!  I was able to visit with friends, parents, former students and strangers while enjoying some great bands!  I hope--if I ever do return to coaching a competitive guard again--that I can hold onto this feeling.  It was great to be reminded of the true spirit of why we work so hard at marching band.  It's not to get a high score, beat the other schools or make ourselves look good.  We do it because it's fun, we like to entertain those around us, and it is another way to use our talents to the glory of God.
Congrats, though, guys--on how well you did!  I'm so proud of you all!