The past five days I've had the privilege and honor to accompany my Son's band to Disney World. They were invited to perform at Walt Disney World's Festival Disney. A non-stop, whirlwind of activity. Have you ever rode 13 hours through the night on a "tour bus" with band kids? Oh the joy you have missed in your life. Let's just say band kids are very musical with or without their instruments. Whether it's 3 pm or 3 am, they are very, very musical! Teenagers also like to do things that are "cool". Like ride a roller coaster seventeen times in a row because it's just that "cool". And don't even get me started on the fact that large buses have to stop at truck stops that have 57 ounce Monster energy drinks!
Our band is well known for it's excellent sound and precise marching. The opportunity to march through the streets of Disney's Hollywood Studios was the perfect fit. After two days of non-stop roller coasters, energy drinks, being cool, and creating "music", it was time to perform. Just like true professionals they strapped on their gear and marched perfectly through the park. I was able to not only watch them, I also got to watch their competition. I knew our chances were good. So after another day of roller coastering, caffeine chugging, and beating on every surface imaginable, it was off to the awards ceremony. I was amaze at the sea of people. A stadium holding ten thousand people of which at least eight thousand were band kids. Our drum major and captain were sent down to receive their results. First up was the rating. (drum roll) A Superior rating for the Rebel Band. This alone is a huge achievement. A Superior rating or a "1" is the top score. It means you've scored in the ninety percentile. Next up is best in class. Our school is very small so we were in the first class called 1A. The best in class 1A, is the Rebel Band. (screams, hollers, and joy) Our little school is on top of the world. Then finally the best overall awards. This came in the form of a bronze, silver, or gold Mickey. And the bronze Mickey goes to, the Rebel Band. That's a podium finish for a little private school against all sizes from all corners of the nation. Just to recap, that's a Festival Disney Diamond Award for Superior, a Best in Class Mickey, and a Bronze Mickey for overall competition.
While all three of those trophies are made up of plastic, glass, and metal, they represent something much, much bigger. They represent countless hours of drills, practice, training, and learning. These simple trophies represent kids that are willing to put the needs of their band ahead of their own selfish desires. These kids understand what it means to be a part of something bigger than themselves. It means that the cliche expression, "you can accomplish anything if you try hard enough" is actually true! These inanimate objects have the power to galvanize a group of kids together in a way no school activity could ever hope to do. These kids will never forget who they roomed with on this victorious trip. They will never forget who helped, taught, and encouraged them to this point. And their confidence will be anchored by the fact they did accomplish the unthinkable.
While I am very proud of each and every one of those kids, I'm most proud of the confidence, courage and understanding that this experience has placed in them.
GEAUX REBELS
Our band is well known for it's excellent sound and precise marching. The opportunity to march through the streets of Disney's Hollywood Studios was the perfect fit. After two days of non-stop roller coasters, energy drinks, being cool, and creating "music", it was time to perform. Just like true professionals they strapped on their gear and marched perfectly through the park. I was able to not only watch them, I also got to watch their competition. I knew our chances were good. So after another day of roller coastering, caffeine chugging, and beating on every surface imaginable, it was off to the awards ceremony. I was amaze at the sea of people. A stadium holding ten thousand people of which at least eight thousand were band kids. Our drum major and captain were sent down to receive their results. First up was the rating. (drum roll) A Superior rating for the Rebel Band. This alone is a huge achievement. A Superior rating or a "1" is the top score. It means you've scored in the ninety percentile. Next up is best in class. Our school is very small so we were in the first class called 1A. The best in class 1A, is the Rebel Band. (screams, hollers, and joy) Our little school is on top of the world. Then finally the best overall awards. This came in the form of a bronze, silver, or gold Mickey. And the bronze Mickey goes to, the Rebel Band. That's a podium finish for a little private school against all sizes from all corners of the nation. Just to recap, that's a Festival Disney Diamond Award for Superior, a Best in Class Mickey, and a Bronze Mickey for overall competition.
While all three of those trophies are made up of plastic, glass, and metal, they represent something much, much bigger. They represent countless hours of drills, practice, training, and learning. These simple trophies represent kids that are willing to put the needs of their band ahead of their own selfish desires. These kids understand what it means to be a part of something bigger than themselves. It means that the cliche expression, "you can accomplish anything if you try hard enough" is actually true! These inanimate objects have the power to galvanize a group of kids together in a way no school activity could ever hope to do. These kids will never forget who they roomed with on this victorious trip. They will never forget who helped, taught, and encouraged them to this point. And their confidence will be anchored by the fact they did accomplish the unthinkable.
While I am very proud of each and every one of those kids, I'm most proud of the confidence, courage and understanding that this experience has placed in them.
GEAUX REBELS
