sounds of fall

the entire band traveled to their first marching competition of the season today.  all week the forecast was showing the possibility for rain, but the probability and timing kept changing.  it was looking good and just overcast most of the morning, with the chance of rain all but gone from the weather apps.  while the kids had one last rehearsal at the high school, a few of us board members were busy building sandwiches for their post-performance meal.

we loaded buses and departed for the competition around 11:30am.  i served as bus #1 chaperone (flutes & clarinets) and later helped in the pit crew.  just as we were headed to the field for our 2:30pm performance, a large black cloud appeared overhead.

near the end of the 7-minute show, we started to feel raindrops.  by the time we were exiting the field, we were pulling out the few tarps we had and trying to keep as much of the percussion equipment covered as possible, because the sky was about to open up.  it really was a losing battle, but we did the best we could.  when we made it to our loading area, plume moms were frantically trying to yank wet plumes out of hats so that the majority of the band could run in full uniform to their bus to escape the rain.  percussion students along with parents like me were left to wait out what was now a steady downpour and attempt to find shelter for marimbas, xylophones, keyboards, speakers, etc.  the plan to feed the kids by having them come thru lunch-line-style at the truck had to change to delivery to each of the 7 buses.  needless to say, i was soaked by the time the trucks were loaded, all buses had food and we were ready to depart.  we made it back to the high school about 30 minutes later than planned, but 5:00pm was still not bad considering.  i am so thankful that we were not put into a rain delay like the bands performing on the schedule after us were.  our kids had a whole other part of their day ahead of them still….the homecoming dance!!

we placed 8^th out of 19 bands in the preliminary round.