We are on fall break!
What a great time for this beautiful break to come.
Fall break is a very appreciated time in which we get to relax and just chill out. I love it.
Our light show was last night and it went very well. I was a little worried. Our music is a BIT more complex than usual and it could have led to serious phasing with the lights out. I just told the kids to count aloud like we do in rehearsal. Things went quite well!
The pit took the show to a new level this year. Rope lights, Christmas lights, and a fog machine. I actually thought the pit was on fire when the fog started. I forgot about the fog for a split second. I seriously started over to them to help put out the flames. We have a lot of money tied up in the pit and I wanted to save what we could. If anyone but me knew my fear it would have been embarrassing.
Some of the kids said that 3 of them are on YOUTUBE but I can never find them. Email me a link if you find one please so I can put it on the website.
harrahband@gmail.com
One week to go and we keep getting better!
No fear no regrets!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Latest
Thanks for all of the nice messages, texts, and emails! My family and I really appreciate it.
Well the HS Band is close. We have 6 moves to go! We are gonna do a great job!
7th grade is really starting to sound nice. A few have some serious attention span issues but for the most part their doing an awesome job. 7th grade is an awkward year for all students. Band students tend to either fall away or really intensify their efforts. There are about 3 kids that are falling off. THAT is a good average!
6th grade is, as always, amazing. They are starting to make serious progress.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is an exciting time at HPS. Band is really starting to take off!
We rule!
Well the HS Band is close. We have 6 moves to go! We are gonna do a great job!
7th grade is really starting to sound nice. A few have some serious attention span issues but for the most part their doing an awesome job. 7th grade is an awkward year for all students. Band students tend to either fall away or really intensify their efforts. There are about 3 kids that are falling off. THAT is a good average!
6th grade is, as always, amazing. They are starting to make serious progress.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is an exciting time at HPS. Band is really starting to take off!
We rule!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Brandon And My Near Heart Attack
My son Brandon almost stopped my heart Thursday night.
Yukon Independence Middle School 8th grade was playing PC Capps Middle School at Miller Pride Stadium in Yukon.
The 7:30 kick-off happened at about 8:55, DOH!
At the end of the 1st half Yukon IMS was up 32-0. It was a country butt whooping. During the entire game both teams were, shall we say, frisky. Personal fouls, late hits, coaches yelling at officials, parents yelling at officials, and players getting a little dirty with the play. A recipe for a straight up brawl.
During the second half of the game the IMS team was pretty much just trying to run out the clock. It was a blow out and they wanted to get the game over asap. Capps Middle School; previously named Central Middle School, was the school I USED to teach at, decided to get a little nasty. They started running their mouths on the field and they tried to sneakily start fights. Our coaches decided they wanted to score and shut them up.
THIS is where my son gets heavily involved. Brandon had played well all night. He had several tackles playing Line Backer and had caught several passes as Wide Reciever. His number was called again on a 3rd and 9 play. He runs a simple up and out route to the sideline and is thrown the ball. Brandon makes the catch, in heavy traffic, and breaks up the field for about a 15 yard gain.
Then came the tackle. It was a clean, honest and legitimate tackle. It was also made by the 12th man on the field. Yes, they were playing with 12 players. For at least 3 straight plays 12 players were on defense. I swear that I saw 13 on one play.
Brandon was undercut in an odd fashion and he fell at an equally odd angle. Straight down with his head smashing into the ground. His head took the full force of the impact from the ground.
None of the parents knew anything was wrong. After the play we high-fived the great catch and run and we resumed talking. After a moment we looked over and saw a player down. We couldn't tell who it was. I started to look for B and couldn't find him until I saw him lying on the ground. the down player was B. After a minute the other teams coaches frantically waved our coaches over. That was my first clue that something was wrong. B is a tough kid and I thought he had just had the breath knocked out of him, but our coaches had to cross the field to check on him.
He was down for several minutes.
He got up. He fell down. The coach picked him up and put him over his shoulder and carried him off the field.
When I saw B get picked up I KNEW ther was a problem. B's tough.
I had seen enough and I QUICKLY mad my way to the sideline where they had laid him on the bench.
Brandon was clearly in agony and they were removing his helmet. The principal had called an ambulance and we were told he had injured his neck.
At this point I thought I was going to loose it right there on the sideline.
Players were crying. The parents of B's friends had us surrounded and they were about to loose it. My son Ryan was so distraught he fainted.
By the time the ambulance got their the game had ended and we watched as the EMT's cut off my sons jersey and shoulder pads. I have never felt more helpless in my entire life.
We arrived at the hospital and wheeled immediately into the trauma unit. Again, I was helpless as the team of doctors and nurses swarmed over Brandon. Again, they cut off any remaining clothes and my baby lay naked on the table. They had the decency to cover him with a blanket as they worked on him. Checking reflexes and muscle controls. We were very worried that at the field he could not grip with his left hand. He could move some but he could not grip.
MANY x-rays were taken and a CT-scan was made. 2 IV's had been started and pain meds were given. And my baby lay on a table and I could only watch.
It is at moments like this that decisions are made. Deals are pled for with God. Others are made with the devil. I am frequently told, like most husbands I think, that my job is more important than my family. Come to find out I agree with her.
The outcome is pretty good. There was no permenant damage done. No bone structures were damaged at all and there is no internal bleeding. He does have whiplash encompassing the entire neck region, ligament damage, and a concussion. He is in a neck brace for at least a week and is out for the remainder of the football season.
My boy is going to be ok!
Being out for the season is a big deal to him. Football is his life. It's what he does and he does it well.
My boy is going to be ok!
I know for me there will be changes made. I always say that my family comes first. That has not been true. It felt good to say but it was not true. It will be now.
My career will come later down the list of priorities. I have had a general lust for career advancement. Family advancement is FAR more important.
My boy is going to be Ok!
Yukon Independence Middle School 8th grade was playing PC Capps Middle School at Miller Pride Stadium in Yukon.
The 7:30 kick-off happened at about 8:55, DOH!
At the end of the 1st half Yukon IMS was up 32-0. It was a country butt whooping. During the entire game both teams were, shall we say, frisky. Personal fouls, late hits, coaches yelling at officials, parents yelling at officials, and players getting a little dirty with the play. A recipe for a straight up brawl.
During the second half of the game the IMS team was pretty much just trying to run out the clock. It was a blow out and they wanted to get the game over asap. Capps Middle School; previously named Central Middle School, was the school I USED to teach at, decided to get a little nasty. They started running their mouths on the field and they tried to sneakily start fights. Our coaches decided they wanted to score and shut them up.
THIS is where my son gets heavily involved. Brandon had played well all night. He had several tackles playing Line Backer and had caught several passes as Wide Reciever. His number was called again on a 3rd and 9 play. He runs a simple up and out route to the sideline and is thrown the ball. Brandon makes the catch, in heavy traffic, and breaks up the field for about a 15 yard gain.
Then came the tackle. It was a clean, honest and legitimate tackle. It was also made by the 12th man on the field. Yes, they were playing with 12 players. For at least 3 straight plays 12 players were on defense. I swear that I saw 13 on one play.
Brandon was undercut in an odd fashion and he fell at an equally odd angle. Straight down with his head smashing into the ground. His head took the full force of the impact from the ground.
None of the parents knew anything was wrong. After the play we high-fived the great catch and run and we resumed talking. After a moment we looked over and saw a player down. We couldn't tell who it was. I started to look for B and couldn't find him until I saw him lying on the ground. the down player was B. After a minute the other teams coaches frantically waved our coaches over. That was my first clue that something was wrong. B is a tough kid and I thought he had just had the breath knocked out of him, but our coaches had to cross the field to check on him.
He was down for several minutes.
He got up. He fell down. The coach picked him up and put him over his shoulder and carried him off the field.
When I saw B get picked up I KNEW ther was a problem. B's tough.
I had seen enough and I QUICKLY mad my way to the sideline where they had laid him on the bench.
Brandon was clearly in agony and they were removing his helmet. The principal had called an ambulance and we were told he had injured his neck.
At this point I thought I was going to loose it right there on the sideline.
Players were crying. The parents of B's friends had us surrounded and they were about to loose it. My son Ryan was so distraught he fainted.
By the time the ambulance got their the game had ended and we watched as the EMT's cut off my sons jersey and shoulder pads. I have never felt more helpless in my entire life.
We arrived at the hospital and wheeled immediately into the trauma unit. Again, I was helpless as the team of doctors and nurses swarmed over Brandon. Again, they cut off any remaining clothes and my baby lay naked on the table. They had the decency to cover him with a blanket as they worked on him. Checking reflexes and muscle controls. We were very worried that at the field he could not grip with his left hand. He could move some but he could not grip.
MANY x-rays were taken and a CT-scan was made. 2 IV's had been started and pain meds were given. And my baby lay on a table and I could only watch.
It is at moments like this that decisions are made. Deals are pled for with God. Others are made with the devil. I am frequently told, like most husbands I think, that my job is more important than my family. Come to find out I agree with her.
The outcome is pretty good. There was no permenant damage done. No bone structures were damaged at all and there is no internal bleeding. He does have whiplash encompassing the entire neck region, ligament damage, and a concussion. He is in a neck brace for at least a week and is out for the remainder of the football season.
My boy is going to be ok!
Being out for the season is a big deal to him. Football is his life. It's what he does and he does it well.
My boy is going to be ok!
I know for me there will be changes made. I always say that my family comes first. That has not been true. It felt good to say but it was not true. It will be now.
My career will come later down the list of priorities. I have had a general lust for career advancement. Family advancement is FAR more important.
My boy is going to be Ok!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Opportunities Abound...
Opportunity.
That is the only thing we can ever really ask for.
The opportunity to be a success.
It does not matter what we are involved in. Sports, business, school, whatever. All we can ask for is a chance.
Will my band make the most of its opportunities?
I don't have the faintest notion. They want to do well.
The desire seems to be there. I don't think that the determination is there though.
Does that say anything about me as their teacher and motivator?
I don't know.
Years ago I would be throwing fits about the work that's left to be done. I would figuratively have kittens at the fact that 50% of the band does not know its final tune.
Not so much know.
I think that I have mellowed over the years.
I was a different person when I first arrived at Harrah High School.
I had great demands on the kids but the talent wasn't there to deliver.
The talent is almost there. Almost.
If only State competitions were hand grenades or horse shoes what a Merry Christmas this would be.
The kids are literally on the cusp of something special. I can see it. I think a couple of them can see it too.
If only....
We still rule!
I love these kids and all they have done this year.
No fear, no regrets!
That is the only thing we can ever really ask for.
The opportunity to be a success.
It does not matter what we are involved in. Sports, business, school, whatever. All we can ask for is a chance.
Will my band make the most of its opportunities?
I don't have the faintest notion. They want to do well.
The desire seems to be there. I don't think that the determination is there though.
Does that say anything about me as their teacher and motivator?
I don't know.
Years ago I would be throwing fits about the work that's left to be done. I would figuratively have kittens at the fact that 50% of the band does not know its final tune.
Not so much know.
I think that I have mellowed over the years.
I was a different person when I first arrived at Harrah High School.
I had great demands on the kids but the talent wasn't there to deliver.
The talent is almost there. Almost.
If only State competitions were hand grenades or horse shoes what a Merry Christmas this would be.
The kids are literally on the cusp of something special. I can see it. I think a couple of them can see it too.
If only....
We still rule!
I love these kids and all they have done this year.
No fear, no regrets!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Contests Contests And More Contests, And Stuff- The Longest Post
Contest season is WELL underway. We have had a mixed bag to this date.
The Moore contest was good and ok. Prelims went well and finals was, ok.
Putnam City, a contest I knew we wouldn't final in, was ok. We were the defending champions at the Konawa contest. It was OK. We defended a portion of our title. We repeated as class champs but that was it.
I'm not mad or even disappointed. I'm sort of in a state of limbo. The kids haven't really fired on all cylinders at contest yet. Any performance really. Audiences have YET to see what I get to see everyday. Yes there are times when it is average at best. There are also times where I would be honored to take them to Grand Nationals in Indianapolis.
I have a young band. A very young band. A majority of my students are in the 8th and 9th grades. I challenge ANY band to compete on the level that we compete on with the same population my band has. I am extremely pleased with what our band does. We do not have 100 kids. We barely have 50. We do not have an abundance of talent. We DO have great students. We DO have great attitudes. We DO have dedication. I'll take my group any day over 200 students and the headaches that come with them.
We are currently staring OBA in the face. We have one tune to put on the field and three weeks to do it. We may not climb in the standings. We will probably drop. That's cool. OUR band has come a long way this year. We actually learned something this year. We learned some responsibility. We learned how to function as a group. A pretty large group of 8th graders came in and learned how to march AND play at the same time. At a pretty good level too.
Our composer, Peter Felice and brother Mario, visited us just before the Konawa trip. He came to our football game and went to contest with us. This cat is IN to music. He has a pretty good concept of what he wants to do with it too. I was impressed. The dude seemed to have a good sense of humor too. I spent a fare amount of time ribbing he and his brother and they took to it quite well. They're Simpsons fans too. Be still my heart.
I think we have next years show sort of nailed down. This is a first for me. Usually I wait until January to seriously consider projects. We conceptualized it in the van rides to and from Konawa and in the club at Peters hotel....
COLOR GUARD IS GETTING BETTER!
They had really good scores at Konawa. Fires me up!
I am currently very grateful to the kids. There has been so little complaining. There have been so few problems this year. If we can grow the Tuba section up; get them ALL to pass classes, bring their music, act older than 10 etc.. we'll be in pretty decent shape. Of course Peter, the Euphonium player, wants more Euphoniums. I agree. I need bodies though.
I am starting to think that I see the corner we need to turn. We're not there yet, but we're getting pretty close!
7th grade continues to get better. I'm not quite sure yet but I think they may end up better than last years crew. It's going to be close. They have responsibility issues. Forgetting music and supplies etc.. A really talented group though. If they'll get an urge to practice they'll be GREAT. Not good but great.
6th grade continues to get better as well. I've been able to LISTEN to them for over a month now. Beginners can be tough on the ears for quite some time. this group was tough for about 2 weeks. THAT"S AWESOME!
Our trumpets are pretty sweet, our Flutes a really good, some of our Clarinets are REALLY good- too many are so-so, percussion is good for the most part, and Trombones are pretty decent too. Usually the Trombones are pretty awful. Not so this year. There's some good talent in there.
I wish I had ALL the students every day. This is a battle that I must win. Sports at Harrah has too much of a stranglehold over the schedule. Athletics are wonderful. I was an athlete and my kids are now. I love athletics. They should not be part of the schedule at the middle school level though.
In an era of low test scores and foreign countries outperforming Americans in ALL educational measures, we have sports as a class in middle school. I don't get it. Schools with WAY more athletic ability than Harrah have their middle school teams meet after school.
Shawnee-Tulsa
Guthrie-Jenks
Carl Albert-Union
Yukon-Broken Arrow
Mustang-El Reno
Putnam City-Chickasha
Edmond-Enid
Norman-Stillwater
Kingfisher-Cashion
Clinton Deer-Creek
Yes, some of these are 6A powerhouses. If Jenks and Union can meet after school we can too. THEY have won the 6A titles for 10 of the past 11 years. We can do it too!
Band kids, you rule!
No fear, no regrets!
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