Day 3 of Band Camp: Camp Goes by Slow and Fast at the Same Time

Day 3:

Phew! I must say, camp goes by slow and fast at the same time. We’re tired, but not to the level of being unproductive… and nobody got wet today, at least against their will.

This morning started out much the same as every day. The baritones had Reveille, which thankfully I slept through again! Rehearsal started at 8:30 a.m. with basics and after an hour we got straight to work on review and more drill. This block went better than yesterday’s. We didn’t have to worry about teaching the unfolding parts of the drill and there were clouds in the sky, making the sun a lot more bearable. 

After lunch was another productive music and guard work block. The band has been working on the Star Spangled Banner and the school fight song as well to make sure they also sound good for the season. It would be embarrassing to put on a spectacular field show but not be able to play those two tunes!

There’s a little gem next to the Interlochen dining hall that not many of the students know about or frankly get a chance to go see. Interlochen by name means “between lakes,” and it is just that. Behind the cafeteria is a nice waterfront complete with a beach and sitting areas. My mom, Kieran, Ben and I spent a few minutes there this afternoon for a wonderful breath of fresh air. I wish everybody got a chance to see it. There’s always a great breeze no matter how hot the temperature is outside. Too bad the smoothie station wasn’t open!

Dinner was the infamous beef burrito, which really looks like a bean burrito, which you really should just avoid. The salad bar is great some days.

During tonight’s evening rehearsal we learned up to page 25. It’s going a lot smoother each time we rehearse. Things are getting a little silly out there on the breaks from water guns in the guard to “you can’t push me over” from the staff, but that’s part of what makes this a great activity. When it’s time to get down to business, we all can do it. A real bonus – we saw a bald eagle fly over us. It must be good luck!

We got most of the drill we’ve learned put to music. What we have is going really well, and we’ll be able to tie off that loose end tomorrow. The head staff members are having a meeting right now (11:24 pm) to decide the schedule for tomorrow. It looks like it will be a little different than the last two days.

Tonight was our annual scavenger hunt (that I have the pleasure of creating), when each section teams up with their section coach and goes around campus fulfilling items on the list. Since I teach the saxes, I go with them every year. It’s a wild ride as we only get 25 minutes to get/do 11 things. I try to make items relatable to our show. For example, one of the items was to make the entire section “attached” to each other without using body parts. My section linked their glow bracelets together and held on. I’m sure the other sections had great ideas.

I added a bonus item this evening when I heard about the space station flying over Michigan. When it’s clear outside, the stars are always so beautiful. I knew it would be easy to see, and did not want to miss the opportunity. Hopefully the other sections got to see it. I know my kids were excited about it.

We didn’t win the scavenger hunt… we never do. This year I believe it was a tie between the battery and mellophones. 

Taps, which is played every night by seniors, was great tonight. Avery, our senior drum major, tuned plastic bottles to the notes and played. It was one of the most unique interpretations I’ve seen in my 10 years with the band.

Well, my feet officially hurt. They were fine until that scavenger hunt! I’m turning in for the night. Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer and sunny… blah… Hopefully Kieran will sleep better tonight! I finally just stopped hearing the neighboring boy cabin… tsk tsk!