JMU SBC 2014

Hey guys! I've had a pretty crazy couple of weeks, and today's post is going to be about the most interesting part of that-band camp! I just got back (on Saturday) from JMU's Summer Band Camp, and it was amazing. It honestly was one of the best experiences of my life so far, and I can't wait to go back next year (hopefully).

One of the best parts for me was being around so many great musicians. I play tuba (and march sousaphone), so I'm used to being in the smallest section, and not having much of an example to follow, so having fifteen other tuba players plus our section leader (a JMU student) was incredible. It was just a few days (Tuesday to Saturday) but I really feel like my sound has improved just from playing with such talented people.

Speaking of people, I made several new friends while I was there. Two of my friends from winter guard who go to a different high school

Another thing I really loved was one of the main focuses of the camp, which was on the process. They gave us a lot of ideas and teaching techniques to bring back to our programs, and I'm really excited to share what I learned with my school's band.

And of course, the most exciting part of camp-our show! We learned and memorized the music and drill for this in just three days, because we are all marching ninjas. But seriously, I love our show, and I'm lucky enough that people have already put videos of it online. So, here is my favorite (it has the best angle):



Isn't it awesome?! We all completely freaked out when we got our music! And I can't tell you how many times we listened to Bohemian Rhapsody last week-the trumpets even wrote a parody for karaoke night.

Something that I think is really amazing is that there were three separate torrential downpours, the showers were kind of disgusting, and I'm still so sore I can barely walk, but I can't imagine not going back. It was seriously that much fun. Also I can't wait for my school's marching band to start (23 days)!

I once again have no idea what my next post will be about, but it should be coming at you soon!

Your question for the comments: What have you been doing so far this summer?

Misogynistic Pop

Before you ask, no, this is not about sexist soda. If you're looking for that, go ask Dr. Pepper. (No? Too obscure? OK.)

So I just got home from the winter semiformal at my nerd school, and it was surprisingly fun. This may shock you, but I don't do that much social stuff, so dances aren't really my thing. I took my best friend, who does not attend said nerd school, and she forced me to dance. To horrible music. Yes, not only am I antisocial, I also don't listen to "normal" music. My favorite playlist has a mixture of Star Trek, the Ohio State band, and classic rock. So I'm not a fan of the kind of music that was played tonight, which objectifies women and has a swear word every four seconds. This was especially awkward as the dance was held in a synagogue, but eventually I just started blocking out the words. All in all, I did have a pretty good time, though, so I think it was worth it!

I'm going to the sing-along version of Frozen tomorrow with my guard friends and I am SO EXCITED!!!!! We will probably be the oldest ones there, but we will sing the loudest and the proudest and I have no idea where I'm going with this. I actually think it's really interesting that teenagers seem to enjoy Disney movies more than the target audience. Like Wednesday, when we had a snow day, and I spent the day watching old Disney movies and had a fantastic time. (Hercules, anyone?)

I hope you had a wonderful week, and I will talk to you next Saturday night three minutes before my deadline soon!

This is Awkward

Hi everyone! So, this is a little awkward. You remember that time, over a month ago, when I thought I was going to have time to post here regularly? That was so adorable. As it turns out, high school is crazy, and busy, and a little hard, especially if you're in an advanced math and science program and you have five times as much homework as all of the other freshmen. And I am, and I do. Possibly even more, I'm not really sure.

Right now, my main source of freaking out is marching band. (That's mostly because we have our last normal competition today, before we go to States. Once that's over, it'll go back to science.) I sort of have a lot do before I leave, which is why I'm spending time on the Internet. That's just my kind of logic! We should do really well, but I'm a little worried that I'm going to mess up the visuals, and I still need to get my Spirit Buddy stuff ready, and I think he doesn't even like the stuff he's been giving me, and yeah. I'm a little stressed. But I've been coming up with reasons that none of that matters.... so I should be fine.

The other thing that is occupying my mind is this haunted house thing I did last night. You should know I do not like scary things, but one of my friends invited me, and I have no life outside band, so I said yes. I don't think I have ever been so scared in my entire life! I was with four other people (plus D's mom and little brothers), and I literally spent the entire time clutching R, which was okay, because she was clutching me back. It was terrifying, but a ton of fun!

I really do need to go get ready now, but fair warning, this may be the only post for a while. Again. Stay neeky!