Between the end of Summer Band Camp on August
31st and the start of the Fall Season on September 5th, the
Cicely Tyson Community Schools Marching Band continued to meet
and rehearse, even though school has not yet officially opened.
Today, Saturday, September 5th, there is an early morning
rehearsal. Not everyone makes it to rehearsal, but many students
go above and beyond the call of duty to show up early and work
hard for the few extra hours of rehearsal time they have been
given.
The usual obstacles are thrown in their way. The
school security guards have not been notified about the
rehearsal, so the students are locked out for about a half hour
of their precious two hour rehearsal time. Instead of becoming
discouraged, they wait patiently and take the chance to socialize
and get to know their fellow band members.
It takes another half hour to get set up and
tune their instruments. There are a lot of gaps and empty chairs
between band members, but those who are there get right down to
business.
The band members work on just a few of the band
pieces that have been giving them trouble. Director Frederick
Goode teaches them the importance of tuning up, beating their
feet to the music in order to stay together, and having a
positive attitude despite the obstacles thrown in their way.
Rehearsal was supposed to be over by 10:00 AM, but the security
staff gives them an extra half hour to make up for the late
start.
Even when they leave the building, they bring
their instruments along so they can practice at home and work for
another extra half hour outside the building to learn to march
together with their instruments in hand. Their first football
game is scheduled for Friday, September 11th, at 7:00 PM in
Vernon Township, and with the Labor Day holiday on Monday, that
gives only three more days of practice to get ready.
Meanwhile, during gaps in the rehearsal, I took
photos of individual band members and have started to place them
in an on line PHOTO GALLERY HERE so
you can get to know your band.
