On the docket...

Be advised...there are two new posts. Don't forget to leave a comment on one of them.

Thursday

• Rehearsal with Band 3:30 - 5:30
• Sectionals in Eastunder 7:00 - 8:30

Friday

• Call at 4:30. Refer to timeline below. Again we have mommas making us yummy tummy stuff. The dance line will join us as well.

Saturday

• ROAD TRIP...I'm going to one of the oldest and most prestigious marching competitions in Alabama. You should come too! It's the Mid-South Comp in Gadsden. Many good guards will be there (list to come) and The Marching Southerners of JSU will present their show. It will be a very relaxed day. Admission is usually around $8 for the whole day. I will leave Bham around noon and return around 11pm. Just let me know if you want to go.

Timeline for Friday

4:30 - 5:25 Call. Dinner will be provided. Eat, drink, and be merry but don't forget to finish getting ready. Also, go to the restroom!

5:25 - 5:30 Transit to lobby for warm-up. Be in the block before time to start.

5:30 - 6:20 Stretch and warm-up. Be sure you're familiar with the "double" warm-up. We'll go through the show and begin our focus.

6:20 - 6:29 Dismiss to the trailer. Make sure your bag is on the trailer immediately following warm-up. Once it's loaded, do whatever you need to do. Take care of momma bag issues as well. Be ready to enter the band room at 6:29.

6:29 - 6:30 Transit to the band room. Remember to be quiet.

We've had a few issues about being in the right place at the right time. Be proactive and ready to go when you're supposed to. It's gotten better every week. Let's make it perfect this week.

~Lindsey Harrison

Thoughts on last Saturday...

I think this was our first time to perform with wind. It was a good show, but not a good as Friday night. However, you performed for a different crowd on Saturday. You proved that our unit is a contender and that others might want to think twice before questioning your credibility. You should be proud.

Below are random, individual thoughts from the judge (in italics) and myself:

1. precision - ok. This is why we count. When you do, it's clean. When you don't, it's not. You have to listen and watch Carrie and make sure you're exactly where you're supposed to be when you're supposed to be there.

2. phrasing - ok. This is putting sections together. Remember we don't stop on counts, you just pass through them.

3. relationship to music - ++. Remember the phrase "we are the face of music." There's a reason you don't do 32 counts of drop spins in the show. What the audience sees must relate to what the hear. You're doing very well!

4. compatibility to drill - +. I heart love you, Flags. We're going to fix it. For all of our outside faithful readers...I know I just said flags. The unit as a whole is color guard. Then, within the color guard, we have rifles and flags (sabres to come). When you're split as we are in the closer, you then refer to piece of equipment being used.

5. enthusiasm - -. Yes, you got a minus on stupid happy!!!! There's the easiest way to boost a score, show some teeth!

6. great content, too many problems with precision/timing. Again, use the check points. Your work is very complex and I don't think we need to water anything down. Do you? We're not a fire-hose guard.

Now about things from other units...

Pelham - They're very classic, precise, and accurate. I didn't see as many facial expressions as I would have like to. Again, we strive for stupid happy! Pelham is also known as a very approachable and welcoming unit. I appreciate all of you who went to check on the member who got sick. That means alot

Thompson - I noticed very confident performers. Granted, 5 1/2 with no weights...hmm. But they entered with a presence. Take from their confidence. I know you have it.

Oak Mountain - Did you notice their Dance Line's faces? They were just as uniform as their boots. I was impressed but I would rather you perform to the "crowd" and interpret the show. Need help? Just ask.

To end this saga, check out this o so cool music video. Click HERE

Benjamin Russell Timeline...

5:00 - 5:45 Call. Use this time to eat, finish getting ready, and go to the bathroom. Put equipment bags against the marker board so I can check them.

5:40 - 5:45 Transit to the lobby with al equipment and stretch towel. Take the equipment out of the bag and lay everything out in front of you. Be in the warm-up block before time to begin.

5:45 - 6:20 Warm-up. We will do our stretches and warm-up sequence. We'll also go through the show from top to bottom. Remember...I am the only one who needs to talk. We must foster and atmosphere of concentration from the start. Have a question? Ask me.

6:20 - 6:29 Dismiss to the choir room. Make any last minute adjustments. Be ready to go to the band room with equipment bag on the trailer by 6:29. We will enter together to keep disruption to a minimum.

6:29 - 6:30 Transit to band room. Make certain that all of your equipment is in your bag, that you have put whatever you need to in the momma bag, and that every part of your uniform is in place. Do not talk once in the band room.

Let's get ready for another fantastic and improved show!!!

~Lindsey Harrison

This week in Guardville...

members ~ don't forget to leave a comment once you've read the post!

Monday

• Rehearsal with Band 3:30pm - 5pm.

• Sectionals in East Buddah 7pm - 8:30pm. We will finish Pardi Gras and add a few things to the opener. We're practically finished with the show. Go us! (get your pants hemmed)

I will hand out the calendars for October-Novemeber tonight. I'm working on getting the ablility to post the calendar itself online so your parents can print a copy. (get your pants hemmed)

Tuesday

• Rehearsal with Band 3:30pm - 5:30pm (hem your pants)

Everyone is to bring their uniform tops and the grey thingy to rehearsal. Mrs. Jiles' mother is going to add snaps to keep them in place.

Wednesday

Once upon a time, someone wore unhemmed black pants to a performance. Prince Charming observed this faux pau and banished all the citizens of Guardville to the dreaded warm-up block. After much pain and suffering, the congenial citizens of Guardville saw the error of their ways and remedied the problem. And they all lived happily ever after. The End.

Thursday

• Rehearsal with Band 3:30pm - 5:30pm.
• Sectionals in East Buddah 7pm - 8:30. You might be let out at 8. Just so you know. :)

Friday

• Benjamin Russell @ CHHS. Your call is 5pm in the choir room. We have two mommas making us yummy things. Who knows...I might even fix something.
• Your pants must be hemmed. They can't be touching the floor but just right above it.
• Make sure you have the "official shade" of lip-stick for the game.
• Hair must be secure.

Saturday

• Shelby County Showcase of Bands
• Call - TBA

Lets keep things rolling along. The guard has begun gaining a "fan base." Challenge yourself this week to make 2 trouble spots perfect. Need help? Just ask. We've come so far but we can't stop now. Again...you know what I expect and I know what you can give. Oh, and get your pants hemmed. ~Lindsey Harrison

Talladega Performance

We will be in full uniform and make-up for the first time!!! Go ahead today and make sure that everything you need for your uniform is in one place. Don't forget any piece or your shoes.

Call this week is at 5:15 in the choir room. You must be there at 5:15 with all of your equipment and anything else you need to do to get ready. Check the timeline below for specifics...

5:15 - 5:40 ~ Call. Everyone MUST be in the choir room with equipment. Do not be late. You may finish putting on your face or just hang out. You probably want to go to the restroom at this time. I will go through everyone's equipment bag and make sure everything is show ready.

5:40 - 5:45 ~ Transit to the lobby with equipment and stretch towel. Be in the warm-up block before time to start. Just lay your equipment in front of you. We will stretch and warm-up at the same place.

5:45 - 6:20 ~ Warm-up. We will do our stretches and usual warm-up sequence. We'll also go through the show from top to bottom and the Dance Line will join us at 6:10 to review the opening dance. I want you to be absolutely comfortable. There should be no reason to appear scared or doubtful during our 8 minutes of half-time bliss. :) Remember...I am to be the only one talking. If you have a question, let me know. We must start off focused and ready. You know what I expect and I know what you can give.

6:20 - 6:30 ~ Dismiss to choir room to make last minute adjustments. Everyone is to be standing in the band room with their equipment bag by their side at exactly 6:30. We will enter together to keep disruption to a minimum.

Don't forget...

- stretch towel (we know how dirty the lobby floor is)

- 3 show flags (all a different color)

- rifle (you know who you are)

- anything you want in the "momma bag" (my orange and blue soccer mom bag. too bad i don't drive a mini-van.)

- shoes (we don't wear socks)

- to wear your unitard (it goes under your uniform, julian)

- drugs (if your aunt is in town or if your doctor said so)

~Lindsey Harrison