The One With the Last First Band Show

 

 

For the past 7 years, since Bri has been in 8th grade, we have always had a first band show of the year. Although her initial first was quirky because of Covid, it was also memorably warm and rainy at DHS field.

Fast forward to earlier tonight when Kiff took the field for the first time this season, entering with his sun glasses as a senior.  However, it was a little bittersweet as well, because it is his - and out - last "first" day of band.

The crew sounded good and displayed the first half of their show that will go onto competition. They sounded strong and will continue to grow, as will the football team, which scored a 16-0 win.

 It is hard to believe this will be our last year as band parents. 

The One With the Band Banquet

 

 

This year, the Danvers Falcons Marching Band decided to do something a little bit different. They invited parents to the annual banquet. It is part of the new principal's idea of creating a larger community at school. And it was a success.

We spent some time in the auditorium where students got some awards. There were a few speeches. We also got the chance to see a neat slideshow, complete with Kiff's amazing leg balancing while standing on a chair, holding G's hand and playing his trumpet in the other moment.

The food and company after were great. It was a fun way to honor an amazing season! 

The One With Back to Back NESBA Wins

 

 

We just got in a few minutes ago from Danvers second NESBA competition this fall. This time, we were in historic North Reading for a competition following last week's first place finish in Melrose (ironically over Melrose, who came in second).

 This week brought a new set of challenges for the band. They were adding their third piece to the Alice in Wonderland show. And, they were looking forward to seeing how it looked. New movements, a new song, and new flags for the colorguard.

 This week's show did not disappoint. Emmie and I, and what we believe to be the largest group of Danvers band parent volunteers ever assembled for a competition, were able to help Danvers take the field. And they rocked it. Kiff did an amazing job with his parts. Several kids from the performing arts came to watch. As a bang, not only did they perform the third song well...it might be the best one of the show. To top it off, they came in first place again (also again over Melrose) and scored an 80%.

 It is the first time they scored  back to back first places as far as we can tell. To cap off the fun evening, Bri and Jack visited as well, showing support for their old crew!!!

 

 

The One With the Veterans Day Parade

 

 

Earlier today, we were in Boston to attend the fourth annual Boston Veteran's Day parade, otherwise known as Boston's Salute to Service. 

Both Bri and Kiff were in attendance for the parade, though it was Bri's last parade. Unlike years past, when Emmie and I watched from the Boston Common, we actually sojourned down to the Boston Public Library area and watched the beginning of the parade, then followed the band all the way to the end.

It was quite a parade. Clearly, word has gotten out about the parade, unlike the first year, when there were only a few spectators. There were quite a few DHS families in attendance, which was fun to watch as we went through the streets.

I think I took about four videos from different locations. The band played their standard military tunes, which were always amazing!!! The wrapped up at City Hall Plaza, booming their music off the buildings that lined the streets there. I found a picture on the Berkeley Beacon above of Nathan, Natalie, and a few other band members from today.

While we were there to see the Falcons, there were several other fun groups as well. There was a small Civil War re-enactment group. There were several military groups. The USS Constitution sailors also showed up, as well as an East Boston Junior ROTC group.

Afterward, they went over to Quincy Market and had lunch. Emmie and I did as well, and did a little quick shopping, like we always do. All and all, it was a great and glorious day for a parade.

The One With the NESBA FInals

 

 

Tonight was the NESBA Finals...a culmination of the long, competitive marching band season. It has been a long season,  but well worth the effort.

It was Bri's last time marching onto field the receive an award before retiring. We watched it with Kobe's mom, who was experiencing the same thing. It was a bittersweet moment.

The DHS Marching Band marched out and scored a gold with 90 points. That was good for fourth place among the eight teams - a fantastic showing!!!

The One With the Rain Out

 

 

Tonight was the second marching band performance of the year. It started off great, with the annual potluck dinner. That is always a fun time. However, the band performance was cut a lot short. Periods of rain in the area made the half time show literally cut in half.

Emmie and I help run things out on the field....but we cut back what we did so know parents had to be on the field. Instead, we were able to watch a pseudo-show...which was awesome! We got to hear Bri get called out, which was cool.

The One With The First Home Game

 

 

The first Danvers home game happened and it was definitely an event for us as we helped the marching band with their show. First of all, we had to arrive earlier than we ever did last year - which was made a little trickier because it was definitely a packed house.

 

Once we arrived, we realized it was the start of the second quarter, so we had some time, but not a ton, before getting to the field to help out. In the meantime, the Falcons started off strong, which at least made the game interesting, too.

When it was time to go to the field, of course, both teams took several time outs to stop the clock. That was an experience. But, 00:00 hit the clock and it was show time. Everyone sprinted. Emmie put out her field numbers. I put on the platform and microphone for drum majors. Everything was in motion.

It was quite a show. We did get a chance to hear Bri's name get called as a co captain of the guard, which was awesome...though we did not get to see her serious walk to the front (we saw that later on TV - it was phenomenally in sync). Kiff and Bri put on quite a show and we had a ton of fun.

 

Overall, a great first game!

The One With the Salem Game

 

 

Last night, the Danvers Marching Band combined forces with the Salem Marching Band for an amazing pre-game show performance at Salem's opening football game. We had never done something like this before, but it was a great idea. And, because it was right before Hurricane Lee passed off the coast of Cape Cod, the night was actually a true beautiful calm before the storm night with an amazing sunset.

The night started off a little weird. It turned out that one of the buses from Danvers was late (the bus Kiff was on), so they had to get a police escort to the stadium. That makes for quite a memory!!! Then, they quickly assembled and put on a nice show.

Once the game started, the Danvers planned played sporadically in the stands throughouth. The game itself started off well for Danvers, which took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter. But, they were eventually outscored 15-0 the rest of the way, and lost the game.

But all and all, it was quite a night.

The One With The North End Parade

 

 

Today, our kids - along with the Danvers High School Marching Band - were in the 50th annual North End Christmas Parade. And, boy, was it a show.

First, we should mention that Emmie and I decided to chaperone our first parade. It was quite an adventure. Little did we know it would be about 20°F. But, that was no worry. It was a blast. We even took the bus in with the students. I was the wagon wheeler (it reminded me of Time for Timer).

However, the real treat was the parade itself. It was amazing Bri was in color guard as usual and Kiff was playing trumpet. The entire band was dressed up in their Christmas ugliest - with a plethora of ugly sweaters (actually, most were rather snazzy).

The parade itself featured all sorts of attractions - mascots like Blaze the Bruin, Elmo, Mickey Mouse, a Minion (Kiff got a picture with one with the trumpet section) and more. It was amazing! Santa also arrived by helicopter, which was pretty cool. Wally and Tessie from the Red Sox were behind us...awesome.

The parade itself wove through the streets of the North End, ebbing all around and actually recrossing a few spots (including twice by Mike's Pastry - yum). It was long - and chilly - but a spectacular to watch (and to be a part of for the first time). 

This was a quaint addition to the Christmas festivities calendar, but one we will hopefully get to do again!.

The One With Thanksgiving

 

 

Today is Thanksgiving 2022. And, although we've had a lot of changes in our family, we have a lot to
be thankful for.

 

Today was definitely not a traditional Thanksgiving, but it was a fun one nonetheless. It began with the kids having a band performance in Gloucester for the annual Gloucester - Danvers football game. It was the last official performance of this half-time show, complete with Music of the Night (from the Phantom of the Opera), Here Comes the Sun (the Beatles) and so on. It was a fabulous finale.

 

Then, we came home and had snacks while we watched a recording of the Macy's Day parade. Emmie realized she DVRed the wrong one - it was good, but the the one with performances. But, we finally found one of Peacock.

 

Then, we took a walk in the neighborhood.

 

After that, we began work on our Thanksgiving meal (which is actually a roast this year). We are still cooking it as I write this at 7:10 PM. We also watched a Friends Thanksgiving episode from the past, too.

 

This year has a few new traditions - and is a little odd - but we loved it nonetheless.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

The One With The Band Competition

 

 

This past Saturday, I was able to revisit a little of my past by going to Wakefield High School. There, the Danvers marching band was taking part in their first ever competition. They, along with a whole host of schools, performed for a panel of judges in the NESBA Marching Band tournament.

 

First, it was a wild experience being back at Wakefield High. By all accounts, the last visit I made there was for my cousin Elizabeth's graduation back in 1986 or so. It was definitely wild to be there...and I made sure to make a memory as I walked up the hill to the football field. Although a vague memory, I still can see me on the bleachers close to the field.

 

Anyway, fast forward 36 years and there were Bri and Kiff competing on the field. And what a competition it was. They were performing in front of a variety of people, judges, and high school performers. And they did exceptionally well.

 

Although they came in fourth place (out of four teams in their division), their score was an 85, which was good enough for a Gold Medal. And, because it was their first time in this competition, the judges were impressed with what they did. All and all, a fabulous memory.

The One With The First Football Game

 

This Friday, Bri and Kiff performed in their first football game together as members of the marching band. It was so phenomenal to see.

It was so much fun to see them performing together. And, it was a blast to see them enjoy the third quarter pause in the game as well.

Kiff did a great job with the trumpet. Bri was awesome as part of the color guard, especially with their new, competetive dance.

They are quite a duo.