Optimum Sonus

Hey guys! I'm sorry if you are sick of reading, but if you are a visitor that enjoys this, then thank you! I really find this to be somewhat therapeutic. :) It's like a scrapbook/diary, without the drama, you know?

Back to business.........

So tonight's blog has to do with something that I have not been looking forward to over the last few years: my last pep band performance, which was last night's basketball game. (Hence the title of this post, "Optimum Sonus" is "Best Sound" in latin, which is a part of our band motto...)

Senior night went pretty smoothly, and as tradition goes, we made a "superset". The superset is made by literally using toms from both the black/pep set and the red/jazz set, as well as using as many cymbals that we can get a hold of from school, home, etc... This year's addition included a cowbell, and the magic (wind chimes) which proved to be very interesting and fun. I was also able to bring my ginormous 24" dark sabian ride and 17" crash for good measure. 'Twas a night to be remembered.

The night's superset. :D You can't see the magic.

By the middle of the first song, I had already broken one stick and inflicted major damage on another-- I was playing hard, and energy was only going to go up from there. Sadly, I think that I need to start taping my wrists to prevent too harsh of movement, for my tendons have become more and more strained lately.

Half time of the first game was senior time time. (Yes, I repeated the word time... And if you worked at camp, you would understand why, so hahaha, I have an inside joke!...) It was a good feeling being up there and actually being recognized as a part of this school, and our musical accomplishments. Hearing people cheer for the band warmed my heart more than many-a-flame. I was really happy to see my "Bonus" Mom, Krista; my Aunt, Kari; and my cousin, Nina, all in attendance.

We then had third quarter break and Ruff (whom of which I will soon be calling Aaron 24/7... weird) brought us seniors out and said some words. These words really touched me, and I cannot express just how thankful I am to have had him as my director, mentor, and friend these last two years. No tears yet! Just wait until graduation.... Oi.

Between games, we of the drumline played our usual, except I stole Luke's quads at the very end of "Tenor Dude" to solo, for old times' sake. (Thanks Luke!) It's kind of sad knowing that I will not play with the line again, really. (Unless we do so for the Ptarmigan Ridge recruitment concert... *cough* Ruff! *cough*) It will be hard to know that I won't be an additional sound in the beats that we produce, but I look forward to hearing what the others can do, down the road.

Right at the end of the second game, we needed to end it big, and what song better than "Final Countdown"? The energy was high, and I was going to end my final game night loud and proud. I somehow managed to snap my stick into-- not halves, but thirds! I was soooo unbelievably pumped.

Looking back at all of my experiences, I wouldn't change anything, except I would try and be a little more gracious with my attitude toward some of my fellow percussionists. I know, hindsight is 20-20, but I really wish that I could have appreciated everybody more, and not have kept my expectations up so high. That, or maybe I should have worked on my leadership techniques. For that, I owe an apology to each percussionist of whom I may have verbally crossed the line. It wasn't fair for me to lash out at times, but realize that I really only did it because I saw the potential that these percussionists could not see in themselves.

On a brighter note, all is well with my fellow drummers now. We still have festival and concerts to go through, and I plan on ending with a BANG! (No pun intended... okay, maybe pun intended.)

After the game, we band seniors (minus Knobbe, Derek, and Savannah... and plus Ruff) went to KFC/Taco Bell for a last hurrah dinner, per say. Vince and Nick were working, and weren't happy to fulfill such large orders only 20 minutes before closing the lobby... Sorry! It was fun though. Really fun. 

I came home and found on the counter what I've been waiting for, for a whole month-- my official LSU acceptance letter! They not only sent one, but two... I'm not sure why, but maybe it's a sign, haha. I was really happy to get that mail, though, I'll say.

Ignore gross out-of-the-shower Morgan.
Look @ envelope :)

That basically concludes my Senior Night. It will be remembered, that's for sure.

As for today, Ruff called in sick... So we had Mrs. Rayme (is that how she spells it?) and had a journal prompt to write letters of encouragement to the 6th grade band students. It really took a lot of thought and reflection, and I hope that I help guide one of those students with my words.

All in all, a decent day; not very eventful, with the exception of some bodaggit pulling the fire alarm during fifth period.

On my drive home, I discovered something under my windshield wiper. I pulled over and retrieved it to find that my Aunt Kari had left me a little note and this little wind up guy. He does a silly jig that made me laugh.

My new carpool buddy... :)

Now it's time to wind down. I'm really feeling the burn from yesterday's intensity on the drums; my wrists are very, very swollen... Thanks for reading!

xoxo~~~~~~ 

Morgan