Friday Nights

9-26-09

Last night I sat down to write my blog but I was rudely interrupted. What in the world would interrupt my writing on a Friday night in the fall? Football. High School Football. I remember there used to be a world where I had Friday nights in the fall to myself. I think I was 6 or 7 years old. Because shortly after that my sister joined the band and then I joined the band and then I became a band director and then I married a band director and then I never saw a free fall Friday night again. Because along with the Friday night football games comes the high school marching band. They are that group that entertains the noisy crowd in the middle of the game.

Last night I was at the Parkview HS game. Not only is it my Alma Mater, it is also where my husband currently teaches. The Parkview crowd is very excited about football, not so much the band. Although to their credit they at least listen to the band play. I have been at schools before where the parents stand up and talk all through the marching band show. Why would you do that? Even though your child plays football someone else's child worked equally as hard every day that week preparing for this performance on the field. They may not be crushing people from the opposing team but it is just as taxing to learn patterns on the field while trying to play a difficult piece of music on an instrument they learned to play 4-6 years ago. Sit down and listen! The crowd last night was very nice and they even applauded. Thank you Parkview, those kids appreciated it.

The marching band kids usually get a bad rap. Why is that? I have a theory. It's the media. Since when have you seen an episode of Gossip Girl or Hannah Montana or The Hills where there were cool kids in the band? Never. Since when have you seen a movie about the Friday Night Lights on the band? Never. Since when have you seen a commercial or advertisement where you hear a portrayal of the band where they are not missing a bunch of notes or playing out of tune? Never. I actually saw a picture on the back of the TV Guide of a young boy completely weighed down with his new school supplies. He had his hands full of books, papers, pencils, book bag, and if that wasn't enough they made him carry a euphonium. They were trying to make him look as pathetic as possible for their advertisement. Obviously it wasn't very good I don't remember what it was for. The point is that they were trying to make him look bad and they gave him a band instrument. I don't think they were thinking, "Let's give him a helmet and set of football pads to carry. That'll make him look pathetic..." No. They gave him a euphonium. It was subtle but it was there. The media is trying to make the band kids look bad. They are giving them a bad rap.

When I was a Senior in college, my marching band won a National Award of Excellence called "The Sudler Trophy" It is basically the National Championship of marching bands. We were the first SEC band to EVER win that award. The first game of the next season they were presenting the award and the media didn't cover it. I know, I was watching on the TV. UGA wins a lot of awards but this one they chose not to cover. The band gets a bad rap. I actually called the TV Station to complain. I don't think they cared.

All of this doesn't really matter. My little rant is not going to change the world's perception of the band kids. They will still and forever be the most underrated part of the Friday Night game. But next time you go to a game maybe you will listen a little closer to all the blood, sweat, and tears that those kids put into it. Maybe you will make the person next to you quit talking and appreciate the musical interlude to all the violence on the field.

Have a blessed evening and thanks for reading my 30th blog.