Aw, congrats on your DS's solo! It always amazes me how kids can get up there in front of everyone and play. I don't think I could do it!!
I know that our band structure is a lot different than the rest of yours, so sometimes I feel a bit like a fish out of water around here- but...
Band is essentially over for my DS18. He has his Senior Band Dinner tonight, and then they march in the Memorial Day Parade next Monday. Uniforms get turned in after the parade, and then they are having a retirement picnic for the director. These past few weeks have been bittersweet. The spring band concert was an enormous success- 2 nights and well over 1000 people in attendance both nights. The assistant band director planned a special tribute for the band director since he is retiring, and many alumni came back to perform. One of the most notable is Jimmy Delgrosso, who was the drummer for Ozzy, Alice Cooper and Megadeath, amongst others. He played with our kids, and offered up an amazing solo! Wow! Also in attendance at these concerts was the president of the Rose Bowl Parade, and he presented the official flag to the band officers. We are headed there in December
My DS14 is an incoming freshman, and they already had their first practice for the 2013-2014 band last week. He is excited, although slightly overwhelmed. He was given the music for snare drum, which is a pretty big deal for a freshman. They usually get cymbals or bass drum- the whole "pay your dues" thing. Our summer band camp starts in August, when they will pull double practices for the first week, and then when school starts, practice every early morning, and every Sunday afternoon until the Rose Parade. They will be marching 320 this year!
In the meantime, we are busy selling everything under the sun to raise money for this trip. His quota is $2700- so we are also saving our pennies. Not sure we can raise the whole thing selling candy bars, flowers and pizza
A side note about our retiring band director- he is only the third director in the history of the band- which started around 1934. Our current assistant director has been there for 22 years, and will now be the director. I think that this gives a great idea of the rich history and community support of our band.
I know that our band structure is a lot different than the rest of yours, so sometimes I feel a bit like a fish out of water around here- but...
Band is essentially over for my DS18. He has his Senior Band Dinner tonight, and then they march in the Memorial Day Parade next Monday. Uniforms get turned in after the parade, and then they are having a retirement picnic for the director. These past few weeks have been bittersweet. The spring band concert was an enormous success- 2 nights and well over 1000 people in attendance both nights. The assistant band director planned a special tribute for the band director since he is retiring, and many alumni came back to perform. One of the most notable is Jimmy Delgrosso, who was the drummer for Ozzy, Alice Cooper and Megadeath, amongst others. He played with our kids, and offered up an amazing solo! Wow! Also in attendance at these concerts was the president of the Rose Bowl Parade, and he presented the official flag to the band officers. We are headed there in December
My DS14 is an incoming freshman, and they already had their first practice for the 2013-2014 band last week. He is excited, although slightly overwhelmed. He was given the music for snare drum, which is a pretty big deal for a freshman. They usually get cymbals or bass drum- the whole "pay your dues" thing. Our summer band camp starts in August, when they will pull double practices for the first week, and then when school starts, practice every early morning, and every Sunday afternoon until the Rose Parade. They will be marching 320 this year!
In the meantime, we are busy selling everything under the sun to raise money for this trip. His quota is $2700- so we are also saving our pennies. Not sure we can raise the whole thing selling candy bars, flowers and pizza
A side note about our retiring band director- he is only the third director in the history of the band- which started around 1934. Our current assistant director has been there for 22 years, and will now be the director. I think that this gives a great idea of the rich history and community support of our band.
Just had junior prom on Friday, got out senior portraits back from photographer...it's all becoming too real. 
