Over the weekend, I buttoned up my uniform jacket, performed my last halftime show, and hung my bibbers for the last time. Something I have done almost every week from August to October for the last four years, has come to its end.
I will never forget the day in fifth grade when the Shawnee Mission North area elementary school band director came to my class to encourage students to join band. She asked for a volunteer to try and play on the clarinet mouthpiece, and my hand shot up. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I wanted to try. The following week, I chose to play clarinet
in fifth grade band. Little did I know that I would continue playing the clarinet for eight years, and meet the most important people in my life.
Joining the high school band was such a life changing experience. I was just coming from not being in band class for close to a year due to the pandemic, and I had no idea what to expect when I walked into the high school band room for the first time. I knew we were marching, but I didn’t know what that meant. I didn’t know much about halftime shows, marching band, let alone how to march in time. After lots of practice, and loud conversations with Wooge, I got the hang of it. I grew to love marching band, wearing that dorky uniform, and putting every part of my soul into each performance.
This season was a whirlwind of emotions. Marching a brand new instrument your senior year and leaving your section behind isn’t the easiest thing to do; however, I am forever grateful to the saxophone section for welcoming me and being so supportive of me playing a new instrument, even though I’m sure I made them want to scream when I could never play those scales right. Some days were absolutely draining, but the mental strength that I have developed from this season is something that will only benefit me beyond the field. Despite not making finals at KBA, I could not be prouder of the show that we produced.
“Embers” was an unforgettable experience. There was not one performance that I didn’t come off the field feeling so much pride and joy in the work we put in this year and the result we produced. Watching this program “rise from the ashes” and grow the musicians in it has been such a life changing experience, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunities that this program has given me during the last four years.
Mrs. Fillingham, you started this journey for me, and I could never thank you enough for teaching me how to play the silly little clarinet. It may not have seemed like anything 8 years ago, but it sure is something now, and it wouldn’t be where it is now without you.
Mr. Brumley, thank you for doing your best to make me feel included in the band even though I was at home in eighth grade. It really encouraged me to keep going even though I felt so behind.
Mr. Wooge, thank you for your patience with me. Getting caught up after the pandemic was a looming fear of mine, and you never made that fear a reality. Oh, and thanks for making sure that I’m always at least 30 minutes early to every event.
Scale Fairy (Mr. Zoller), I have had so much fun during woodwind sectionals with you. You have taught me a lot about being myself and to that I should always make sure I’m enjoying myself in band. I can never thank you enough for the support you gave me over the summer when I was learning saxophone. I have had so much fun on saxophone and I wouldn’t be able to do what I have in marching band without your help.
Mr. Bartley, where do I even start? You have done so much for this program and given me some unforgettable experiences. You have pushed me to become a better musician and a better person. Your focus on making sure everyone learns something, whether that be as a musician, or as a person is so important to the growth of this program. Thanks to you, I’m no longer afraid to play in the band because I’m afraid of messing up. Now I know that confidence is key to learning and growing up.
Marching band, thank you for everything you have done for me, I will miss you more than anything.
