September 13, 2002

Away game at Thousand Oaks

             Unlike last year, our first football game was an away game, which meant we did not perform our field show.  It was enough of a challenge to give everyone their appropriate flip folders and lyres just to play pep songs in the stands, not to mention fitting 76 people onto a bus that holds about 55.  Quarters were close, but the hour-long bus ride just provided more great bonding opportunities, from singing the fight song to passing around a shoe.

             Once we arrived at Thousand Oaks, we hardly had anytime to warm-up until the game began.  But thanks to the endless hours worth of work during band camp, the pep songs were already polished and performance ready.  Also, the level of spirit in the band was amazing for a first game – more people were cheering than ever before and almost everyone participated in our fabulous rendition of the Grunt Cheer.  The cheerleaders have also responded to the band’s improvement – they have choreographed dances for many of our pep songs now.  (Hopefully they will start singing the Alma Mater in time to the music as well.)

             Despite the football team’s loss, the marching band’s first event proves that we have improved tremendously in the past year and are continuing to do so rapidly.

September 20, 2002

Home Game vs. St. Francis

             Being our first home game, this was the first time we were in uniform.  The call time was 4:30, but in order to get everything done, most people were there around 3:45.  Between passing out gloves, cutting the fingers off gloves, assigning new people uniforms, and passing the correct uniform out to everyone, Samantha was lucky to have retained her sanity.  Fortunately, due to a lovely demonstration by “Vanna,” almost everyone managed to put the uniforms on the right way.

             Because our home games are actually played at Glendale High School’s stadium, Moyse Field, we have to have buses to get there.  This year we are supplied with two buses for home games, so each bus seemed virtually empty, especially after the three-to-a-seat ride to Thousand Oaks the week before.  Parents also drove down most of the equipment and larger instruments, giving us even more room to sit.

After a few minutes of practice and our beautifully memorized

rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, the first half of the game flew by in a rush of drum cadences and pep songs.  Before we knew it, we were warming up for out first field show of the year.  We looked and sounded great, thanks to the clearing lined field, Mr. Schick’s field show, Bonnie’s conducting, and Ms. Weaver’s wonderful choreography.  Although it was hard to bend over in the uniform pants while keeping your hat from slipping over your eyes, the crowd loved the dances, the music, and Mr. Blinoff’s always creative announcements, making all our hard work worthwhile.

       The band’s spirit remains impressive, even though the football team has a losing record so far.  Keep it up and made next time we can all be “crazy enough for the couch.”

September 27, 2002

Home Game vs. Canyon

 With our new and improved uniform organization, it was much easier to pass out uniforms this time.  Getting used to the two-bus system is taking time, but we are coping well, mostly thanks to cell phone conversations between the buses.  We are so bonded that we don’t even like to be apart for fifteen minutes!

With the addition of the completed Austin Powers drill and Jungle Boogie in place, the field
show is getting bigger and better.  Besides the crowd’s enthusiasm, the treats that the parents provide are valuable rewards for a job well done.  Without that food and water, many of us wouldn’t eat all night!

The football team suffered a tough loss of one point, but even as our losing streak continues, the games are becoming more fun.  We are bonding more and more everyday and we haven’t had enough football games to get bored of them yet.  Keep up the enthusiasm for the big game against La Cañada next week!

October 4, 2002

Away Game vs. La Cañada

          Back to the polo shirts and jeans for our second away game, the time usually spent on getting our uniforms on was spent waiting outside for the bus.  That’s right – one bus.  Our growth between last year and this year is incredible – while last year the entire band, plus all the equipment, could fit easily on one bus, this year the bus drivers are demanding that we are given two buses at all times, especially after they witness the pandemonium that accompanies 76 people trying to fit onto a bus that is only meant for 50.

	The ever-popular rickety La Cañada
stands were fun, as always.  We went from being crammed three, or better yet, four to a seat on the bus to being just as cramped in the bleachers.  But that only added to the fun as we performed a beautiful rendition of the grunt cheer and continued to perfect our pep songs .

         The La Cañada band’s field show was good, but we have yet to see another band with the guts to wear dark pants and white shoes, like we do.  But their football team proved to be less successful than their band, as we took our first win – a crushing defeat for our opponents.