Cowfeathers Farm to Foxcroft Farm: There is no "I" in Marchng Band

Well, the second season of our first team sport is done. I am discounting the park and rec soccer teams the young version of Eldest joined. Little kids don't seem to really get "team". Plus, Eldest liked playing goalie most of all "because you don't have to run". Our second team sport was the volleyball team Middlest played on this fall. Volleyball is done, Marching Band is done. Phew. Look around and see if we can be a family again! Naturally, altho' I'd like to fantasize that this means each night actual dinnertime will occur,with thoughtfully planned soups, crusty homemade sourdough bread and a slice of warm pie, followed by the family around the fire, playing cards...it is unlikely. For now, we get back to the much neglected piano lessons, the beginning of Middlest's Destination Imagination team, and the start of the 4-H year. The 4-H club is headed by the Huz, with occasional support from me, and tons of support from the other parent advisors, but with 50+ kids (we'll know soon just how many) in the club, it is a job for the whole family. It seems fitting that the family take a turn in activity, as the earth around us makes its turn into winter. The goose pool is iced over this morning, and with the sun getting stronger, the grass is shedding its white. I am thankful that our evenings of sitting on cold bleachers, hunkered down against the wind are finished, but am extremely thankful that they occurred!
The State Band Finals for our Marching Band were held in the big city on Saturday night. Our band performed at 6:15 and did a fantastic job. Their show was entitled "Joy" and featured wonderful classical pieces, including the namesake "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven. The field that evening was dominated by wind. Fierce wind that gave the poor colorguard fits! Tossing around flags and wooden rifles in 40 mph winds looked, um, difficult. I can imagine the poor tubas had it rough too. One band whose colorguard was suffering in the wind got a flag stuck though a trombone slide. Lots of band members got beaned with flags, and lots of tossed up things landed on the turf. That aside, you do your best, and I think they did a capital job. The whole business was exciting. I don't understand the intricacies of judging. I don't understand the intricacies of Marching Band, but I sure did enjoy the shows.
The band was disappointed with their final rating, I think. They earned a "2" which is "excellent", instead of the desired "1" which is "superior". The scoring has a bunch of bits and pieces to it. In any case, I believe they should be very proud of their effort and their commitment, as it was fierce. I am glad that not every band was given a "Superior" rating. I believe our societal efforts to make no one feel bad have left no room for actual hard won accomplishment either. So, something to strive for next season! Bring it on!