Good morning Trojan Band Fans,

It’s been a long week but everyone weathered it very well.  At these points in the season – end of the 6 weeks, Jamboree, BOA Austin it’s very easy to get overwhelmed and the band did a great job of pushing through the week!  Bruce Dinkins, the former head band director at Bowie that passed away 8 years ago had an amazing quote that I think sums up why we do what we do so poignantly: ‘To all those who enter, you are subject to the relentless refining process of music through uncompromising standards.‘  We have to keep our heads in the space of being in love with the process – as hard as it can be – and the results will follow.  Developing true grit is what marching band is all about.  We are really proud of the kids and excited to see what they accomplish now that we are halfway through our season.

BOA Austin yesterday was a great performance for the band.  Friday night game was a huge improvement over Tuesday’s Jamboree performance and we were thrilled with how Friday and Saturday went for this point in the season.  The band ended BOA Austin 19th place in prelims on Saturday.  BOA Austin is always a tough competition early on with all of the top bands in central Texas and honestly the state – I think we are in a great place going into our next big show BOA St. Louis!  Finals results from last night in order first to 10th:  CT Johnson, Vandegrift HS, Round Rock HS, Leander HS, Cedar Park HS, Hendrickson, Winston Churchill, Bowie HS, Vista Ridge HS.  

I want to give a special note of thanks to all of our parents and supporters from Friday night and Saturday.  Parents that came and cheered for us in the stands – THANK YOU!!  You have no idea what it means to us to be standing on the goal line, waiting for the timer to give us the GO and hear and see you up in the stand with the signs.  The kids always comment when we have a loud cheering section (and directors too).  Another GIANT note of thanks to the parents that joined us all day yesterday and sweated, trudged and stressed through it all – our catering, chaperones, pit crew, and uniform committee.  These folks were there early and stayed late to help us through our day – we could NOT do it without you!!  Thank you Jack Gindler, Paul McHorse and Lisa Fuka in their work with driving the 18-wheeler!

This week- We are back to our normal rehearsal schedule!  CALENDAR LINK HERE. We will listen to our judges tapes this week in classes as we go forward to cleaning what we have and putting the closer on the field.

All uniforms went home last night and MUST be washed and returned to later than Wednesday!  Here is a link to the TAILORED TROJAN to see washing instructions on page 7.

I am still looking for one driver for our 18-wheeler for St. Louis.  Our parents that normally drive, and our new driver have work constraints.  We are needing one more driver to join the one we have for the St. Louis trip – If you have any kind of 18-wheeler leads or know anyone with a CDL please shoot me an email.

Everyone have a great week!

Ms. Gonzalez