One more time!
One more time!
One more time!
'One more time!' say people at band camp. And since pretty much ALL the 'one more time's that you'll hear at band camp are LIES, here's how to get through.
Before camp starts:
If your school's marching season is anything like ours, you'll have done the longest parade of the summer season on July 24th and then had a 3 or 4 week break before band camp in August. This means that you likely won't march for 3 weeks before jumping right back in when camp rolls around. So stay in shape. I did strength training and I ran a few miles a week in those three gap weeks. The weight training really helped me hold up the 2 pound weight that is my trumpet for hours on end.
Also, remind yourself why you're doing this.
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1. Be prepared. For everything. Be ready for sun and extreme heat, rain and cold, and music and marching in general. That means have a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, jacket, and gloves. Also always have your music, just in case and for reference, and stuff like valve oil and slide grease. These are good things to have: if you need them, then you'll have them, and everyone will love you for always having some on hand to lend.
2. Always have your drill charts and dot sheet. The number 2 time waster at our band camp was trying to figure out various sets because people didn't have their drill charts. If everybody has the charts then time won't be wasted borrowing charts.
3. The number 1 time waster was lack of focus. I know: Band camp is hard and you'd likely rather be elsewhere the whole week, but please do focus. Guaranteed that you'll get nowhere if you let your mind wander during camp. It will also make your directors angry and that isn't fun. Just focus. It's only 3 days.
3b. Pay attention. It isn't fun to be that one person who's trying to fix a drill set and suddenly the band gets called to attention and you're still talking and moving. Don't be that guy. Also pay attention to directions. It also sucks to be that one person who starts on the wrong set and marches a completely different move from the one that everyone else is doing. Don't be that guy either. Focus and pay attention.
4. Do what your director tells you to- and when they tell you to do it. Moving slowly, not listening to directions, or violating the general band camp code of conduct will also make directors angry and leads to drums corps-style discipline, namely running laps and doing pushups.
5. Listen also to your section leader. Be quiet when they're talking. And then, the next time you do whatever they were talking about, improve. Make it better.
6. You can always be better. Instead of focusing on how tired you are and what drudgery band camp is, choose something to work on on every set, every time you go through the show. Your good technique and focus will spread to your fellow band members and make the show better.
7. Lastly... always put your best foot forward (that would be your LEFT foot... lol marching jokes). The show won't be perfect the first time, but trying to get better leads to improvement.
Good luck on your field shows. You'll survive.
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