U. of D. Band Day

This video of Band Day showed up on Facebook.  It was produced by the U. of D. I think.  Sorry, but I couldn't get a screen shot of the video to display.

U. of D. Band Day video

U. of D. Band Day 9-21-13

We posted some pictures of Band Day on Facebook.  Even if you aren't on Facebook, I think you should be able to view them by going on this link:

Band Facebook Page

We will post more on Band Day later.

First Game 9/7/13

The first few games of the season have the unusual distinction of starting with the sun high.  The band played the National Anthem from the track for the opening home game on September 7, Saturday night.

They performed part one of "Spy Games" during the half-time show.  They will add another part this coming Friday night at our home game against Lake Forest. 

Something you can't help but notice is the size of our band.  The up side to that is this - no one gets lost in the crowd.  Every band member is that much more important to the band.  If you are one of just a few members of your section, that gives you awesome responsibility.  And that does NOT go unnoticed.  We appreciate your effort.  Thank you.

More from Alex

All that practicing... all that marching....all those drum wars... so was it worth it?  Just ask Alex Robb who graduated last year and is now on the Drumline of East Carolina University.  We received this update from Alex regarding his first game day. This is a perfect example of where sticking with it gets you:

Saturday was amazing! A real dream come true! Playing for a crowd of like 80,000 people is crazy. The game was so much fun in itself, just being there and watching ECU beat ODU while surrounded by others in the student section, but then you add getting to play and watch everyone's reactions and see people dancing and that's really cool. But also its not just the game, its Game Day. The fun and playing goes all day. We have practice from 10-12 and people watch, then we eat and put on our uniforms and march up to the field and everyone lines the streets and waits for us and follows behind the band. Then when we get to the stadium we divide the whole band into 3 roaming pep bands and we play for tailgaters. So we really go all out all day and interact with people and they go crazy for us, little kids come up and high 5 us. It's awesome, in high school sometimes you feel like you just go to the games and you are there, but now it's like the band is requested and praised and asked for and we are like 210 celebrities (and based on how many random photos got taken of me I felt like it.) We also unveiled our new uniforms this game and we were all looking sharp and getting compliments and people reacted to that. So it was a great day, filled with tons of playing and excitement and soaking in the next level of it all. Haha it feels like the Big Time.

Thanks for keeping in touch, Alex.

News from Alex

Just heard from Alex Robb.  After some intense competition, Alex has earned a place on the drumline playing snare with the East Carolina U. Marching Pirates.  They play this coming Saturday night, with an expected crowd of 80,000 people.

East Carolina University Marching Pirates

Alex sent this picture.  I think it is him, but I can't really tell.

The Band Trailer

Our band trailer makes appearances at away games, and usually follows the band in parades.  It was looking a little tired and in need of some TLC.  Here are some of the before pictures.

That dark stuff on the wheels - it's rust.

All the hinges and hardware were rusting.

See that chunk out of the fender skirt?

What's taped off got painted.

 










Here's the trailer afterwards. 

Check out the fender skirt repair - sweet.

Back at its home.

8/3/13 Car Wash

Jeff Revell of Sussex Lumber in Millsboro was kind enough to lend us his parking lot to have a car wash on August 3.  Thanks Jeff, and thanks for the donation.

We may not have washed a ton of cars, but we made some new friends today. Late in the afternoon, a young man drives up. We thought for a moment he was one of the many vehicles who were using Sussex Lumber's parking lot to take a short cut to avoid the back up at Rt 113. But he actually wanted his truck washed -a clean black '98 Chevy (yes, ironic, isn't it?). The kid was super friendly, and in no time, we realized he was Gunner, son of a classmate of mine. We all chatted a while, and he told us about his lawn care, auto detailing, and deer dressing businesses (Gunner is very ambitious.) It was one of the highlights of our day.

We also had a former band mom from Indian River stop in. Her daughter is now with the U of D Marching Band.

The whole day made me think of all the times I've driven by a bunch of kids washing cars to raise money for their organization.  We are stopping at the next one we see.

Thanks Band Kids. I know there are other things you could have been doing. 

Washing cars is just an excuse to meet people like Gunner.