Dear Marching Band Senior,

Here you are at the beginning of your last band camp. On the first day you will walk in to greet old friends, bring up jokes from previous band years, loudly say hello to your band director, and eventually get out your instrument. You will also watch as the freshmen squirm in discomfort surrounded by all these borderline obnoxious people they do not know (yet). As a section leader, or just as a senior, you will take one of these nervous music lovers under your wing. They will look up to you, ask you for help checking off music, learn the ropes of drill and football games, and come to you with pre-show jitters. You will tell the sophomores that they do not need to worry because there is no way they are possibly the worst marchers. You know they will still be confused and a little lost; it is only their second rodeo. Lastly, your juniors, who have known you the longest, will find you. They are going to say things like, “I can’t believe it’s your last year,” or “I wish I were you and getting out of this mad house.” They are half joking and half saying “I will miss you next year.”

You have learned your drill, aced your music check-off’s (maybe tried to skip them), held sections, had your uniform fitted, and did your best to direct the freshmen. All for the last time. This is both exciting and bitter sweet. The last first game of the season. The last game against your rival school. The last time you go to your favorite competition. The last time you go to states. The last time you chant in the stands. The last time you get drenched on the football field. The last time you get a shirt with your show title and dates of performances on it. While all of these lasts are coming your way, you are getting more and more excited for senior year to end. Band gets to the point where everyone is tired of the show and the tension is growing. Band is not going by fast enough.

At the very end of the season, the band moms have wished you well, your director has pretended he or she will not miss your class (but you know they will), the juniors have realized you are truly leaving and feel slightly lost, sophomores are excited to no longer be underclassmen, and the freshmen are thankful that you helped them survive their first season. At the band banquet you realize it really has come to an end. You see that part of your high school career and legacy are set in stone. You are proud, happy, sad, and reminiscent. At some point you will look back at your high school career and think to yourself “Marching band was one of the best things I did in high school.”

You see, marching band creates friendships and memories. It helps shape the responsible adult you are becoming. It teaches you to work with all kinds of people. Your quick thinking and problem solving skills are sharp as a tack. You would not be who you have become had you not been a “band geek”. You might not realize these things until you walk out of the band room for the final time that season, or perhaps it will be after you have already worn your cap and gown. But I promise, someday, you will realize it.