Last Rehearsal of the Year

The last rehearsal was incredible! I cannot believe how great the band looks! There wasn't a peep on the field as we did the basics block for 30 minutes. Our drill instructor Jim Downey (uncle Jimmy) taught the band the left block move and the right block move. This incorporates virtually every marching move which we will use in the show. Not only did the band accomplish this task, but they did it with intensity and excitement. Counting out throughout the practice, it is obvious that the program is growing beyond belief! And the freshman class, Wow! They are incredible as well. Thanks to the music teachers in our district who have taught them, they are skilled and anxious to learn. Once again, we are a competetive band, so we are constantly aiming to "win" whenever we compete! We get judged by six to twelve judges, depending upon the competition so this is the real thing! I flew home on Wednesday night, I was so excited by the whole attitude of the band. Once again, they are stepping up year after year. This will truly be one of the top bands on the island in a very short time! Thanks to everyone and have a great Summer! Remember to get those forms in!

Final Numbers and going up a class

One of the most exciting things with being a competetive marching band director is when the program grows. In 2004 the band had about 60 members, 2005 went to 88 members, 2006 was 123 members and this year will be around 140 members. This growth is impressive. Many bands have trouble maintaining their 50 to 80 members. The band is becoming more and more of a fixture on the Long Island Band scene! People really know who we are. With the unprecedented jump from last place in 2005 to second place and a silver medal in 2006, the New York State Field Band Conference approved our move to the higher class SS2 (small school 2). When I asked the band in November if they wanted to move up or stay in the class 3 which was obviously a better position to win, they overwhelmingly wanted to go up to SS2. This was no shock to me. The Roslyn kids are very competetive, very ambitious, and always looking for a challenge. I love the students here, their work ethic, and ambitions. I requested the move and it was approved in short order. So now for the good news. We are probably one of the largest competetive bands in New York State. With the exception of West Genesee (who was around 150 members) I don't think any band tops the 140 mark in terms of size. For a small school like Roslyn this is incredible. The band is totally cool in our district and more and more people are joining each year. It is so exciting!