Hey you! Nice to write to you.
You’re a member of the UD Marching Band and for that alone I thank you. I’m already guessing that you’re a pretty great person, in this band that’s a solid bet. I look back on my time in the band as one of the greatest times in my life. The feeling of playing in that stadium under the lights and having *that run* of the show will always stick with me.
Freshman year I was still figuring out how to wake up on time for my classes, but the talent of the upperclassmen, the way they knew how to work the crowd, I WANTED that. So I held on tight and trusted that they, and Sarv and Mr. Ancona would deliver some of that magic. I had no idea… it starts with sweating out in a grassy field with a bunch of new band people. New people to meet (some are lifelong friends now), learning dots and forms, music, being quiet and thinking ahead, giving it my all in my reps, waiting for my section leader to give direction.
I remember the first time hearing my name/section from the tower 😬🕵🏼🕵🏻♂️ and then doing my part to conquer whatever mistake that was, because it feels like everyone is waiting on you, and you have to simultaneously be very patient and forgiving with yourself, and also giving your absolute all, right then and there (phew!) – probably more difficult than whatever the actual mistake was (and therefore a more valuable skill 🔑 I’m still using it.)
But then I think about later in the season, we’ve started earning the success for real… the sections are all popping, there’s way less stress about “what” to do, and the focus shifts to giving our energy to that crowd. I’m talking heart and soul now. Giving your real self through your instrument or equipment, making eye contact with someone in the stands and not letting them go. Changing their life in that moment 🤯🥺😍. That’s what art is good for.
And holy crap, hearing how good the band sounds and that echo off the stands, then looking around after the release to realize that you and your friends made that sound?? 😲🤤 In some way I’m still chasing that feeling. I mean… a 6-to-5 step size is hard… until it isn’t. A stick flip during a count of rest is hard (I played snare)… until it isn’t. Performing your book and marching your dots with your face up to the crowd (instead of down on the field) is hard… until it isn’t. It’s just reps. And those reps are so so worth it.
Sometimes I still have dreams of being arm in arm with the band singing my last “In My Life”, or absolutely dancing my butt off on that field when the music became second nature. Anyway… YOU are living the dream right now.
You might be in the sweaty, getting called out from the tower part, but keep pushing and trusting and encouraging each other. Party together, be great together, make it fun for someone else and they’ll always remember you. No amount of swamp-ass rehearsals, frustrating work to perfect the show, tired and sore muscles, etc… could ever, ever come close to the reward.
Learn your sh*t well, get over your humps, drink water, then play and dance like you only have one life to live. I’m excited for you to have that forever, like I do.
Dan Twiford UDMB alum 2005-2006
Drumline also alum of: Reading Buccaneers, The Cavaliers, Rhythm X
Currently: Performing and recording musician in Nashville, and Music City Mystique staff member
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