Some of you may know that Ohio holds a state fair every year in Columbus. This is a huge thing for many different groups of people. 4-H gets to go put their projects and animals on display and compete against numerous others in the state. The same concept goes for the different members of FFA who also get to put forth what they learned during their meetings and the fundamentals of each meeting. Spectators come and see all of these amazing exhibits and animals and interact with these hard working people, and eat some great food. There's even performers that travel from all over the state to perform at the fair. One of these amazing groups is the All-Ohio State Fair Band, which I had the privilege of being a part of for two unforgettable years.
All-Ohio State Fair Band (AOSFB) is exactly what it sounds like, roughly 200 musicians come together and spend two weeks practicing and performing several times in and around the fair. We spend a week learning different songs, new forms of marching, and even how to live with several different people that we have never met before. This is a challenging time because it is physically demanding in some aspects and very mentally demanding in others. Overall, this experience has a different effect on different people, and I think it affected me for the better.
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Not only did I get the obvious physical exercise and the amazing opportunity to play at places I would never have been able to play at on my own, but I also grew as a musician. I found myself pushing to make myself better not only in the band there but also to grow in my band at home. I learned new things musically and on how to lead and even how to follow. It overall made me a better band member and I believe it taught me lessons that will continue to follow me everywhere I go.
On top of growing as a person and musician, I also made some life long friends and story worthy memories. We did it all, from catching guys stripping behind a tent, to having a funeral for a cock roach. I won't forget the times that we got out of our bunks and had "bathroom talks" at all hours of the night, or throwing Cheez Its at each other. I still to this day call the people I met at AOSFB my best friends, even if we don't talk as much as we used to. And that is something I have yet to find anywhere else.
Everyone I have talked to that is either and alumni from AOSFB or is still currently in it, we all absolutely loved it and we grew from it. So, if you're a musician, look into it (although it is a marching band), or if you enjoy music, go watch this band, they're amazing. Or even if music isn't your thing, go to the state fair in 2017, I'm sure you'll have a great time. And one more time for all us band kids out there, AOSFB!
