Well… I’ve reclaimed my perch for morning block rehearsals. Guard is 30 degrees to my right doing warmup spins, brass straight ahead sitting on the grass listening to instruction, battery 45 degrees up on a nearby hill getting their warmup in, and pit 20 degrees left in the distance on the parking lot.
I love the sound of rehearsal. All the major “organs” upping their game before coming together at Ensemble to become one high performing “body”.
I’m going to miss this. It seems just yesterday that 5 years ago Rebecca Casiple posted that the “Cavaliers Need A Van Driver” that started this whole journey for me and then later for Laurie.
Yeah it can be tough operating on little sleep and stretching time between showers. But that’s a small trade off to join this family… both the Parents…and getting to know the young men.
With no scores to obsess over, I’ve tried really hard to meet as many people as possible this time and it’s been quite rewarding.
They are all truly becoming what I heard Dr. Vaughn refer to as “being a Cavalier with a capital C”. Thoughtful and thankful young men.
Yep, definitely going to miss this.
Laurie and I will wake up in Minnesota tomorrow morning and head to the airport to return to Atlanta knowing that Indy is our last hurrah as active member parents.
It’s been beyond a pleasure to randomly capture loose thoughts from the road over the last few years. So here’s a few last loose thoughts.
- If you haven’t tried volunteering yet, and you have a member coming back in 2022…just do it. You can thank me later! It’s a great behind the scenes perspective that will leave you with even more appreciation for the investment our Admin and Staff are making into our kids.
- This staff WILL take the Cavaliers back to the Medal Podium. It’s not a matter of “if”…it’s a matter of “when”. Bank it.
- Learn to love other corps early and often. There’s some AMAZING work going on all over the country. And those kids are putting their blood, sweat, and tears into what they do just like ours are.
- If it ever comes up, thank your son’s music professors for being open to drum corps participation. Because they all aren’t. For those that aren’t, cross them off the Christmas card list…you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.
- Just a suggestion. If your member doesn’t seem like the type to keep up with the season’s “leftovers” (uniform top, DCI medals, etc)… store them away. He’ll thank you later (ours did). Davis will have a nice framed full sized shadow box to hang in his first apartment or band office… to always remind him…
Be a Cavalier…With a CAPITAL “C”!
Possibly one of if not his best life lessons to date.
So… with all that said…any parent(s) want to take over this blog into 2022 season and the future? Hit me up…it’s been my pleasure!
Rolling With the Cavaliers 