Now that my internet works the way it should, this can get posted/published without any problems. The experiences this second week of school were significant to the university as well as myself since it was the 100th anniversary for Middle Tennessee State University and my first home football game with the Band of Blue Marching Band. We rehearse on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 to 2:45. We started working on the 100 year celebration halftime show last week along with the pregame show and the music we play in the stands. We also have our actual half-time show that we will perform next game. That Saturday was one to remember, knowing that there will be more similar like that is worth looking forward to. Walking through the part of campus around my dorm, I see a lot of cars and blue and white tents. There was a lot of tailgating to say the least, many alumni, students, parents and their kids gathered around their grills and games having drinks and food. It was a sight to see. After I got my breakfast, I was walking through all of this as I was heading towards the Band of Blue Practice. We rehearsed the Celebratory Half-Time show as well as the pregame and the Tennessee Waltz. It was a very quick and productive practice, we managed to get it ready for the show quickly, and with 380+ members, it was very efficient. The temperature was good, not very cloudy, and crews were getting set for the game as the band was leaving the practice. We, the drumline, were putting the gear we needed for the stands in the stands before we left the field so we could be ready when time came. After practice, we got ready for "RaiderWalk". The drumline was in front so we were the first seen. I saw the crowd getting lined up around us as we played the cadence towards Peck Hall. We kept playing until the all of the band was there. The drum majors had signs so that the band can know what to play. We played most of our stands tunes like "Stuntin' like my Daddy", "William Tell", "Flashlight", "2001", and many more (look them up on youtube). We then played the fight song as well as segments from the halftime show. After that was done, the drumline played the cadence as the band was leaving. The band had an hour break, in that hour we were provided dinner and were handed out our uniforms. The uniform has a lightning bolt in the front of it separating blue and black, with the logo on both the front and the back of the jacket, and we wear ball-cap hats with the logo on the front and "Band of Blue" written on the back strap. Underneath, we wear our show shirt for this year, and it is called "Soulsville": we play music like "Soulfinger" and "Soulman" as well as "R.E.S.P.E.C.T" and the theme from "SHAFT" in part one. We had to bring our own marching shoes. After the break, the Drumline began the warm ups earlier than the rest of the band, something they always do. When we got ready, we lined up and played the cadence for the band, and continued to play it inside the concourse to the tunnel. There were a lot of people there before the game started. Some from Georgia or are Georgia Tech Fans, and the rest from the area. During the Pregame performance, I saw the screen in front of us as we were facing the end zone. Then was when I realized how big this group really was from up top. Seeing the different sections that the students and fans were at, and Lightning with a flyswatter, was a sight to see. That night at halftime when we began the halftime show, reminded me of the night MCDC (Music City Drum and Bugle Corps, aka the group I toured the country with this past summer) performed here at MTSU in July. I had that same mentality from July here in September. It was a really cool night, after the game, the band played the Fight Song one more time followed by the Tennessee Waltz, which preceded segments from the show. After that, the drum-line lined up on the field and we played the cadence all the way back to the Wright Music Building/Saunders Fine Arts Building, which was across the street.
Other things I want to mention were the private lessons. Being a Music Major period meant I had to have private instruction. I like the opportunity it brings. Professor Davila is my Snare and Timpani instructor, this was my first lesson with him where we mentioned the expectations as well as performance. He also mentioned very good information to me while I was practicing throughout the week. Practicing and preparing for lessons is very important for us music majors like getting homework done and assignments are for other classes since they are credited like others are. Professor Davila also heads the MTSU salsa band, the group I play piano for.
Being a Music Education Major, the introduction into Music Ed Class went to observe John Pittard Elementary School's 1st grade music class. There, we took notes on what the teachers were doing and how the kids were learning. What methods of Music education were being taught to the kids as well as what and how the kids behaved and responded to their lesson. This experience was also in one way or another rewarding. Music Ed majors do these observations as well as teaching to get ready for the occupation that is teaching music.
This second week of school was highlighted by Saturday Night Lights, the football game. It was an encouraging experience to perform and have a good time with the Drumline and the Band of
Blue. Getting an understanding of how the rest of this semester is going to go is really exciting. I really look forward to the rest of this semester along with the school year
No comments:
Post a Comment