Life as a Redcoat - Band Camp

For any organization that performs in public, you need to practice. And the Redcoats were no different. So before we start, I want you to forget what you saw in the American Pie movies and the phrase, " This one time at band camp." Well come to think of it, that phrase does have some meaning within the concept that is band camp.

Some that read this may have marched in your high school band and have this idea you know what I'm going to talk about. Well your wrong. Redcoat band camp is not your high school band camp or at least it wasn't like mine. So let's get to it. 

Many think of band camp as this easy little thing where we learn a few moves and try to learn to move and play at the same time. Some may even joke. Well let me set it straight. There is nothing easy about band camp, fun yes, easy no. 

To start, we have nearly 2+ weeks, give or take a day, of 14 hour practices broken into 3 parts. During this time we learn at least one halftime show (maybe start on the second of 3 or 4), pre-game, post-game and anything else they toss our way.  

First day is easy. You get setup with instruments, numbers, charts and a few practice sessions to go over the music that you should already know. Now, to the fun stuff. 

First the morning session at the intramural fields at 8am with 30 minutes of stretching and sweating and aspirin taking (props crew rocks as they tend to us nicely). We used to say, "sweat the poison out," because if you knew the way the redcoats relaxed you would understand. But that is for later in this post. After we are properly wiped, we begin the basics of the first show. Unlike high school, we move constantly. So a typical show could be a small manual. We would have these tied around our necks as we move through the day. All this without playing a note. Actually playing in the AM comes later in camp. Keep in mind this is August and it's normally well into the 80's before lunch. Of note, we normally lose 1 or more each year during camp. They just can't take the heat. We also drop a few pounds during this time, which is a good thing. 

After lunch, we have 4-5 hours of music rehearsal. Both as a whole or in sections. This time is spent indoors for the most part and is a nice break from the daytime heat. 

Lastly, the night sessions at the Butts-Mehre turf field. Normally by this time the team is done so it's all ours for the next 3-4 hours. This is also a favorite of the locals as they can come out and watch us do our thing. It's also the time where we put music to the steps. With this combination comes a few near misses and the occasional crash or a errant flag pole incident. Normally minor but band is a full contact sport. 

Now repeat, for 14 or 15 days. 

For the fun stuff. After hours at band camp. This is when you looked to setup the date/hookup for the first away game and the WLOCP (unwritten). And no, it's not always what you are thinking, so get that thought out of your mind. During the after hours festivities, one section or another would "host" the party for the night. Sometimes it was a twofer and decisions had to be made. 

This time was also when you met the most people. When you are in an organization of 400+ people, you may not know them all. Plus there isn't a lot of time for socializing during the day. So here is when the contacts are made. This is also the time when the "poison" was consumed in large amounts. It's also when you made the friends that you would have for the years in redcoats and after.  

Needless the say after two weeks of this, our bodies and minds are broken and in need of a normal schedule to set things straight. Now on to the season.     

Comments

[Bernie]

Wow! Those Michigan wussies wouldn't make it to lunch the first day.

All kidding aside...we appreciate your service and dedication. Redcoats Rock!

[Alan Ashley]

Thanks. All in all it was a lot of fun. We got great tans and burned off those extra pounds. Oh and view of all the gals wasn't bad either.