Breakdown...

It happens to the best of us - you get to the point to where you don't think one more circumstance can be added. It gets added and you break. I learned yesterday that it is the way you handle your breakdown that determines its duration and severity.

I know that everyone has had some tough times these past few weeks. It really is olympic the way in which we all juggle our schedule and, somehow, manage to get everything in. Last night, I was short during rehearsal - I shouldn't have been. But please understand that once we begin rehearsal, my brain is a whirl and I can't communicate its contents to you while your trading recipes or fashion tips. So let us try to remain focused a bit more from now on.

When I say "you're better than that" I really mean it. I've been in countless rehearsals where the students pay as much attention to the instructor as I do to Jerry Springer and that's not what this program is about. You guys, like it or not, are held to a very high standard because I know you can reach it and it's not fair to you for me to settle for anything less. People notice how different you are - let's keep them talking.

I was on the phone with Mother when what I thought was the end of the world yesterday. She, in true Mother fashion replied with this this morning...

What a beautiful sunrise all pink, magenta, purple, blue - I have been sitting here attempting to study my "Experiencing God" material but all I have accomplished is rehashing our conversation from yesterday. Remember that we should be trusting God with the whole picture rather than trying to figure it out ourselves. How many times have dire circumstances turned out to be just what we needed and wanted in the first place. - coincidence - I don't think so. Lindsey, I fully believe that God is always at work around you. He wants a loving relationship with us. We must trust him in all circumstances. Trust him with the whole picture. You said your day was horrible yesterday. Maybe you were a "shining light in a dark world" for someone you came in contact with. While you were cleaning up the litter on 13th street (I had left my choir folder, a 3 inch collection of my life, on the top of my car and it crashed on the street as I left for school), He may have been protecting you from calamity. Hope is today is wonderful. Love, Mom

Let's make today and everyday wonderful.

~L

Tuesday (2/26)

• 6pm - 8pm, Rehearsal, High School Gym
• Rehearsal Black...not pink, red, white, green, grey, blue, brown, or aubergine. Black.

Thursday (2/28)

• 6pm - 8pm, Rehearsal, High School Gym
• Again, Rehearsal Black

Saturday (3/1)

• 7am - 8:40, Rehearsal, High School Gym
• 12:45/1pm, Tentative Call/Depart
• 3:24, Indoor Percussion Performance
• 7:35, Winter Guard Performance
• Itinerary coming your way soon. Click here for show website.

Sunday (3/2)

• 1:08, Winter Guard Performance

Sponsorship forms need to be turned in ASAP. Mrs. Newman will be handing out the most current statements at tomorrow's rehearsal. Please remember that all financial requirements, both sponsor and member, must be met by the end of the season at the absolute latest. See me or Mrs. Newman now if there are issues.

Fall Auditions are drawing nigh. Interest Meeting - March 6 at 5pm, Clinic - March 10 - 13 from 3:30 - 5:30, Auditions - March 14 at 10am. These are open to any student enrolled for the 2008 - 2009 school year. Unlike Winter Guard, all members must audition for the fall edition.

Battle of the Bands is shaping up quite nicely. We will need a task force of parents for various things that evening (March 6). Watch for an email with specifics but please make sure it's on your calendar. Members...you will need to be free from about 3pm - 11pm. Plan accordingly.

SCGC Championships is the highlight of the year and is closing in quickly. Be sure you've blocked off April 3 - 6 as we will depart directly from school on Thursday. Where are we staying you ask? Click here for the answer. Parents...please DO NOT make reservations just yet. I'll give you a heads up when we're set. You can also click here for the competition space, Vanderbilt University's Memorial Gym.

Sickness...

I hope you all are taking steps to stay well during this incubation of flu. You can click here for tips from the CDC on how to do that successfully.

A friendly reminder - should you need to miss rehearsal, you must let me know. This is for your safety so that we know where you are during rehearsal time.

Now to the image to the right - that is TinkerBill, the get better soon fairy! Just think: no matter how bad you feel, you always look better than him. :)

~L

Headliner...

Appearing at the 2008 Battle of the Bands, The Color Guard of Chelsea High proudly presents...

April Cover

Check them out at Myspace.com/AprilCover

Independence Hotel...

reservations have been confirmed for the Cool Springs Marriott at $109 per room. Please send Lindsey an email by 3pm Wednesday with how many rooms you need.

~L

Monday (2/18)

• 10am, Services for Emily's grandfather
• Click here for directions
• After 5pm, Costume Fitting
• For those of you who couldn't make it today, please be at Mrs. Coffey's after 5pm to get fitted. You can click here for directions. Be sure to wear undergarments.

Tuesday (2/19)

• 6pm - 8pm, Rehearsal, Mt. Laurel
• Make sure you have all pieces of equipment.

Thursday (2/21)

• 6pm - 8pm, Rehearsal, Mt. Laurel
• Rehearsal Black
• 7pm, Band Boosters, High School Band Room

Friday (2/22)

• 5pm - 9pm, Rehearsal, High School
• Rehearsal Black, bring water
• We will begin on the parking lot end of the gym. Be considerate of the Audition Clinic being conducted opposite our space.
• If your costumes are ready, we'll spend some time at the end of rehearsal getting accustomed to those. So bring yours if you have it. All will begin rehearsal in Rehearsal Black.

Saturday (2/23

• 7am - 8:40, Rehearsal, High School
• 11:30/11:45, Call/Depart from High School
• 5:59, Perform at Independence High

Nash-vegas...

We've been called upon by several of our fellow SCGC members to help with their floor. Here is a list of all that will be competing...

• Independence HS (orange, you haven't seen them yet. Great ladies)
• Houston HS (space show from Brooks)
• Clarksville (Dolly Parton song)
• Hart County (Lucas)
• Oak Grove (Our neighbors)
• Bartlett (home to 2 former Colts)
• Brookwood (between Bham and Tuscaloosa)
• Amor
• Vivace of Hunstville
• Cappella (Jennifer Cooper's group)
• Mark of NSA (the urban jibberish show)
• Mt. Juliet (the Julie girls and croquet)
• Eklipse

All of the above are links to their SCGC-Space page. You should stop by and wish them luck.

You can click here for the website - home to a fan info packet, schedules, directions, finals lineup, and other secrets of the universe. Click here for instructions on how to make a fan.

We will be leaving the High School Band Room at 6am. You must be at least 10 minutes early. We'll stop on the road and grab some breakfast and then continue up to Antioch High for the show. Lunch will be via the concession stand and then dinner at, possibly, a local restaurant. Souvenirs of all kinds will be for sale I'm sure. Check your email for more info.

Tonight's rehearsal schedule at Mt. Laurel...

• 5:30, Flags
• 6:45, Sabres
• 7:30, Rifles
• 8pm, All Call

We are at Mt. Laurel.

After your time is over, you're free to work on homework or whatever you need to do. However, be sure you're ready to begin right at your specified time. You'll need all pieces of equipment for All Call at 8pm - this is when we'll put everything together.

Let me know if you have any questions.

~L

Thursday...

Here is our time-line for Thursday...

• 6:30
• Meet in the Band Room. If this changes, I will let you know. You'll have until 7:45 to get ready and stretch.
• 7:30
• Game starts
• 8pm
• Our performance will be somewhere around 8. Parents, because this is a regional game, I cannot provide a list for entry during half-time. However, I have been told that, usually, whoever is working the gate has no problem with parents hanging out for the performance.
• After the performance, we'll roll and fold everything into the closet and call it a night.

We will again be in Performance Black with make-up as usual and hair like Tuesday.

You all made a wonderful statement on Tuesday to several people and I can't tell you how many compliments I'm still receiving on your behalf. This is simply another show and another chance to win some fans - nothing is different. Read through the handouts I gave you. If you lost them, click here.

As always, let me know if you have any questions.

~Lindsey Harrison

Tonight...

you're in Performance Black.

~L

Important Numbers

For our time at Brooks High...

• Lindsey's Cell - 1.256.601.9364
• Melissa Bailey Cell (Show Host) - 1.256.762.9514
• Gilles Ouelette (Contest Coordinator) - 1.615.668.9233