Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Packing for College and Band Camp Withdrawal

I never thought I'd say it, but I miss band camp. Not the ridiculous amounts of astroturf I find in my shoes or the awkward sunburn lines, but the sense of community that comes from being in a marching band. You know you've got it bad when you and a friend willingly go watch brass and full band rehearsal because you miss all your brass buddies and the family atmosphere (complete with dysfunctionality) that comes with them. [Seeing my boyfriend was a plus, too, but when one of us is in rehearsal it's really more of a gaze-wistfully-from-afar thing]. On the upside, I've reconnected with some of my older friends, since ninety-five percent of my younger friends are busy turning into mean, lean marching machines from nine to eight every day. I'm (mostly) coping by visiting when I can and listening to LOTS of drum corps music.

I'm used to marching band withdrawal, but this is different. For the first time in four years, I can (and did) cut my hair short during the summer. Of course, I also may never end up marching again. I'd really like to, and if I can, I'd love to march Blue Devils or Carolina Crown, but we'll see how that works out with school and everything else. It's a strange feeling to be looking at the band and not worrying about whether or not somebody is going to mess up. I'm not used to being without some sort of responsibility that has to do with marching band, even if that responsibility is only for myself. I keep expecting my high school's brass instructor to turn around and tell me to get back into the setup, although I have to admit it's nice to be able to cheer everyone on from someplace that I can yell and scream (namely, the audience). Everyone sounds great, and I can't wait to come see them perform in October, but part of me really misses being out there with them. (And I'm really jealous of the awesome new uniforms they get to wear.)

When I'm not out with the band kids, I'm (supposed to be) packing for college. As a music major, my list of stuff to bring is a little different from everyone else's. The average college student doesn't bring a trumpet, a flugelhorn and a synthesizer with them (as far as I'm aware). They don't bring Stravinsky and Holst scores. They don't bring a tub and dish soap for the sole purpose of cleaning their trumpets. Still, I'm bringing all of that stuff, because most of it I won't actually survive school without.

As for the next few days, I only hope I can enjoy them as much as possible (and maybe see my boyfriend outside of band - once). I may end up somewhere bizarre like the aquarium one of these days. Who knows?
Love you all,
Megan