My Band Soapbox

If you're not interested in the goings on/politics of OHS then you can probably skip this whole post.

Tonight was the sports boosters kick-off banquet, and the band had to play. (I know, I'm confused as to why we do that for them every year too.) I think it's mainly because the cheerleaders can't sing very well. While attending the whole band, fully equipped with instruments, was forced to stand up on the stage of our new, beautiful performing arts center. (Thank you Interact!) In from of the whole crowd of athletically clad sportsters. That was not awkward at all compared to standing up there while the cheerleaders did their routines. Or when the dance team did their dance two feet away from where we stood. The best (and by best I mean most awkward) part was standing up there when the coaches and their players were speaking about how great their seasons will be and how well they are going to do. We did play and have a good time, but it kinda hurts to know that we get used so often by the jocks, and then they say (or insinuate) that we're not athletes. Really? Really? You went there? I don't see you out running drill for two hours every morning, a skill that requires not only moving from one spot to the next, but also playing music in tune on a horn, staying in step, maintaining correct horn angles, and using the proper step form for the direction you are going all at the same time. Do NOT tell me that we are not athletes.

Also, tonight I found out that from now on, the band will remain at the football games after the halftime field show. This is mainly because our town/school spirit sucks. A lot. The band is loud and their absence is duly noted by the coaches. It makes me wonder if they said something to our activities director, an ex-football player himself, about getting us to stay. What really gets me is that none of them will be at our band concerts. I might actually post if anyone shows. The activities director will be there, but that's mostly because he gets paid to do that. It's not like he can help with anything. (A friend and I had to run lights and sound at the athletic awards night last year because he doesn't know how to.) Just like tonight. I don't know who was in the booth, but when the dance team needed their tunes, nothing happened. For like two minutes. Finally some band kids ran off the stage and through the crowd to assist. It was going within two seconds of them getting back there.

All this makes me wonder what it would be like if we got some admin who really cared about the arts, and less about the sports. Guess I'll probably never know. I should probably stop know before I get myself too wound up. I know that most of you readers are past/present band members, but I would like to know if anyone else feels the way I do. Are we being used??