After last nights little rant, I have to say that today/tonight was a 180 the other way. Its amazing what happens when you ‘give up’ on a lot of aspects.
I was supposed to go into Boise at 10am but alas tony woke up late and I got a text message. I figured it was from him saying he just woke up, but I was WRONG. It was from a friend I hadn’t talked to in a year and a half. We hit it off a little bit and she ended up going with Tony, and I, and the rest of my family (close and extended) to the DCI show. I was kinda worried about how this would come off to the family, or my family on her. I like her, but the last thing I need is to have things blown WAY out of proportion.
The show itself was pretty good. Most of the corps were so-so, until it got to the ‘big guys’ so to speak. The Blue Knights, The Santa Clara Vanguard, The Blue Coats, and The Cadets were just amazing. I honestly thought Santa Clara had it won, best show of the night- but The Cadets walked away with the gold.
I had forgotten how much my friend was into color guard and Drum Corp in general. It was great to have someone that could keep up a drum corp conversation and not have me dumb it down in the process. Im glad I answered her text. In the end I may have just been used because of who i am, but a night like tonight makes it all worth it.
At the end of the night, the Santa Clara Vanguard played a special encore of their performance and I, having all the right connections, got Jen, Tony and myself down to the Track for this performance. They played their opener… and then stopped. What came next gave me chills- and there needs to be some background info before I tell you why.
My all time favorite drum corp performance is the ‘89 Vanguard’s Phantom Of the Opera… and the song that came next was the marque tune from that show- Music Of The Night!
When they played it- I just couldnt believe it. I was standing less than a few yards in front of them, and they actually played Music of the Night! I was immersed in their sound, and that song. It was a choral version of the tune, but amazing none the less. It gave Me chills, and definitely made my night.
After ‘Music of the Night’, they played the song they’re famous for- ‘Send in the Clowns’. It was just so unreal.
I also ran into a lot of Blue Thunder Members, each one got me a little bit more excited than the last for Camp and the coming season, but it also made me realize one thing….
I dread (and sorta look forward to) the day that I can finally just be a fan again. Im not ready for the ride to be over, but Ive come to grips with the fact that one day- I will be done with Marching Band. This lifestyle cant be me forever, Ive done all that Ive wanted too and more- When that day comes that I no longer want to lace up those white shoes or put on those bibs… I wont regret walking away. That day wont be next year, or maybe the next…. but its coming. Each passing year this feeling gets more and more real and when Its finally time, I will move on.
