Sunset Over Band Camp

The sun sets on another successful band camp.
Thank you to all the students and their hard work on getting through this week. Your effort and attitude was where it always needed to be.
Many of the chaperons where told over and over again by the Andrews University staff that the Rockford Band kids are best behaved kids. They are extremely polite, patient and courteous. You have once again made a positive impression on those around you. Keep up the great work and have an AWESOME season!

Your Kids Will Understand

Sixteen only plus one and go...

This is J to K...

Take this back to letter I we need to do those two, one more time, I to K...

Okay, check that please, adjust...

Take it back please - marching and playing one more time - we put the two together, we put the four together, we put the chunks together, we're working on it...

Forty-seven to M - marching and playing - set and go...

Check-it -- Adjust

Please take it back to standing in seventeen we are going to go - A to M - hold 12 - plus 12...

And set - eight, hold 12, plus 12, plus 1...

Check-it -- Adjust

The Last Day Begins

Can you believe it... last day. Kids were given an extra hour to sleep in and morning practice started at 9:00am instead of 8:00am. Diane Swartz lead the band through their morning stretch and then everyone went into their warm-up routines.
They worked on putting more of Part 3 on the field and practiced more of the show they have already completed.
Then it was lunch and time to pack. Everyone had their things packed, placed on their bed and back onto the field at 1:35pm for more work on Part 3.
The frozen pop break and 3:45pm followed by the band working on the music of Part 4.
A quick dash for dinner and back to the field to do a last run through of the entire show before doing performance for family that had arrived.

Let's Dance

These kids haves worked their tails off this week. Tonight they get a chance to shake their tail feathers.

Thursday - Practice Practice, Practice

I believe it! These kids like what they are doing. Feet may be sore, arms ache, legs stiff, but watching these kids build this show... you can see the attitude there that they can and will do it.

It is practice that makes it better. This morning the kids continued putting more of the show on the field.
They are into the daily routine and know where to go, what to get, where to put it, when to do it.
And this all comes from repetition. You would think with all this there would be complaints and bad attitudes, but they don't do it. The upperclassmen know what is expected and the freshman are seeing how it is to be done and once again the knowledge is being carried over to another class.

This afternoon the kids got and extra 45 minutes of "feet up" rest time. Many used it to rest, other sat back and listened to music, read or just talk with each other.

The rain has held off, it is partly sunny but the humidity is up. What is one way to deal with the temps and humidity? Frozen pops! Always a hit with the kids.

Rain Holds Off

It was a late night at skits. The students made it to breakfast and onto the field on time.
The threat of rain was there this morning. A few sprinkles at the start of practice.
After those sprinkles it has remained mostly cloudy but no rain. Which is how we like it.

Skit Night

Just have to say lots of laughs.

Wednesday - Block R

What a great morning we had today. Perfect marching weather... dry, temps in the mid 70's with a slight breeze and dry.

Found out this morning that you can custom order your omelet. Tried a mushroom, potato, tomato, onion with cheddar this morning.  Several kids saw it... think the omlete line is going to be a little longer on Thursday morning. 

Many of the kids in the Pit and Drum line went through a yoga routine with Diane Swartz. They had a good time. The morning the band worked on Pre-Game. We have a NEW block R for this year. They spent the morning working on getting on the field, bringing the band down the field and forming the R. Then they played performed it playing the fight song.
By the way - only 29 more days until the football season starts with the Rockford vs Lowell game.

Worked on fine tuning the opening number and then the band broke for lunch.
The hard rain held off until most of the band was done with lunch. Mr. Phillips gave them an extra half hour for a mandatory "feet up" break in their suites. With the rain still coming down at 1:30pm it turned into an extra hour break. We had no complaints about the extra time.

The weather has cleared again and the band has broken out into sectionals for music rehearsal. They will be back on the field at 3:15pm.

Update: The rain held off here in Berrien Springs. We watched the weather and while it looks like Kent county was getting soaked... we were dry.
Added photos from the afternoon and evening rehearsals.

Rain Delay

The weather gave us a break with a cool, cloudy and dry morning.
Right after break for lunch a light rain started. The kids are in
their suites until 1:30pm with a mandatory feet up break.

Pre-Game

This morning we worked on the pre-game R - Go Rams!

The Yoga Pit

The Pit and Drum line tried yoga this morning. Looks like they enjoyed it.

Like A Rock

Overheard this morning...
"Last night I slept like a Rock!"

Tuesday - Getting Into The Routine

Tuesday has come to a close and after all their hard work today, it is all quiet here in the dorms at 11:00pm as I sit down to write this. The word I will use for today is - Routine.

rou·tine/ro͞oˈtēn/

Noun: A sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program: "I settled down into routine".

Let's just say that today was Day 2... when the routine really starts.
Today was bright and sunny. Not a cloud in the sky.
The students were up and ready for breakfast: pancakes, cereal, eggs and omelets. They also remembered to bring their water jugs so they can get ice and water on their way back to the dorms.
On the field at 8:15 and started with stretching, a short jog and then into sections to warm up with their instruments.

Mr. Phillips climbed to the top of the scaffolding and the winds worked on putting more of the show on the field. As of last night they had completed Part 1 and Transition to Part 2. Today Part 2 was worked on in the morning. Mr. Phillips came down to assist with some of the movements of the winds for this part of the show. Let's just say that there are some awesome things for those who see the show this year.

Color guard used the other practice field to work on their movements through the show, while the Pit and Drum-line were back in their practice areas.

(Some of the chaperones went shopping for the Tuesday evening cookout.)

Before we knew it... it was lunch time. The band rushed over for lunch with water jugs in hand.
Today they had meatballs, mash potatoes, quesadillas, (of course) pizza, salads.

Afternoon was spent in sectionals again working on the music parts of the performance. Once again finding the shade of the large trees.

Mid-after came the frozen pops break... and then the band moved onto the field to work on the show.
They were getting hungry as the chaperones had setup the grill and had hot dogs and burgers cooking next to the field.

Dinner was served just after 5:00pm with ice cream sandwiches to finish off the meal.
Then back to the field and then the drum line joined the band this evening to work on show. As the sun set, the temperature came down and seemed to bring a new energy to the band.

After a lot of work, they headed back to the dorms and most were in bed and out by 11:00pm.

What Happens Next

Wait until you see what happens next... sorry this is not a video...
you will need to come see it Friday evening.

Morning Jog?

This morning the band took a short jog around the track. As part of the morning stretching.
A jog around the track is almost nothing compared with miles that the kids walk/march over the course of the day.
Don't let anyone tell you different...
These are athletes on the field.

Getting Into The Routine

The start of the second full day. The kids are getting into their
routine. Up and ready for breakfast about 7:00am. They brought their
water bottles to get ice and water after breakfast. (Saves them a trip
back across campus when they forget.)

Monday - Bringing It Together

(Click on the slideshow above for larger images)

The fog rolled in on Monday morning and the students made their way across campus for breakfast starting at 7:00am.  Many choices: waffles (strawberry topping), eggs, bagels, fruit, cereal and more were available.

After breakfast the students stopped by the ice and water station to fill their water jugs. 

At the field they started the morning with stretching and a round of ROCKFORD jumping jacks. They then broke off into section to work on music warm ups for the day. For the first time the color guard and the pit joined the winds on the field to walk through and then play the opening number. 

The morning fog and clouds helped to keep the temperature down and the sting of the sun away. 

By the end of morning rehearsal they were marching and playing the opening number. Pretty impressive what these kids can do when they put their minds to it. 

The afternoon practice was broken out into sectionals where they worked on the music for the show. All the sections found a place to practice, most in the shade of the large trees on campus. 

Around 3:30pm was frozen popsicle break time. The sun had been out all afternoon and the frozen treats were a hit. 

Soon after the winds got on the main field and started putting the second song of the show on the field. A few more water breaks with the heat of the afternoon. 

The evening rehearsal started at 6:00pm and they finished putting the second song on the field. They closed out the evening rehearsal with the Pit joining them. 

Their evening activity was some skit preparation for Wednesday evenings skit night. 

Lights out 11:30pm - Good night. 

Not Just Pizza?

If your kids come home and say that all there was to eat was
"pizza"... many kids found some great alternatives... Tonight potato
enchiladas with fried rice and corn was an option - added the grilled
mushrooms. Chips and sala. Grilled vegetables are also available.
Salads and fruit are a popular options.
At lunch they were able to find lasagna, grilled veggies along with
the staple of cheese or veggie pizza.
(Some have been able to put together a rootbeer float.)

Hey! Where is the band?

Monday afternoon the students broke out into sectionals to rehearse
the music. Most found shade under the large shade trees around campus.
Color guard had the opportunity to work on the main field.

Sunday Band Camp Begins

(Click on the slideshow above for larger images)

Getting started... check-in, load luggage, waiting for buses, load students onto buses.

Soon 230+ students are loaded on six buses and heading to Andrews University for band camp.

A quick stop in Berrien Springs for lunch (fast food - McDonald's, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut or Subway) and with some choosing to get some dessert at Dairy Queen. Many of the restaurants were ready this year and while there were lines to get in, the lines moved quickly and everyone got something to eat.

At 2:30pm the students had unloaded from the buses and began the search for their luggage and camp chaperon to head up to their floors in the dorm. They had a little time to get into their rooms, get some things sorted out and then to the field at 4:00pm.

For a couple of hours the winds worked on putting sections of the show on the field. The pit found a basketball court to assemble and rehearse their part of the show. While the drum-line found some shade on the other side of the building. Color guard was also working off the field on their performance. 

Little after 6:00pm the band broke for Subway dinner. There was a issue not enough subs being delivered so there was a delay in getting through dinner and back on the fields. Some of the students used this time for soccer, socializing and resting. 

After the delay, back on the field and they rehearsed under the lights until after 10:00pm. 

They did not get a chance to play some of the team building games due to the dinner delay. But they were rewarded for their hard work when Mr. Phillips said, "The opener is on the field!" 

With the late evening, everyone headed back to the dorms and got ready for bed. 

11:30pm - Lights out.

Fog Has Lifted

Students enjoyed a walk to breakfast in the fog. (Breakfast started at 7:00am.)
Stretching and warm ups started at 8:00am.
The pit, winds and flags are all on the field working through the opening.

Encouraging Words

Mr. Phillips talks with the students at the end of the evening.
Encouraging words, where to focus their energy and efforts.

The Opener Is On The Field

It has been a late night but they have put the opener on the field.

Under The Lights

There is a renewed energy under the lights. It is still humid but the
sun is gone.

Band is ON the field.

Working through more charts.

Band is ON the field

Working through the charts.

The Pit

Not playing basketball. Some serious rhythms being worked on here.

Drum Line Set

Drum line has found some shade and practice has started.

The Busses Have Arrived

Did not take long for the students to find their ride to band camp.

Loading Luggage

Off to an awesome start. Students load their luggage as they wait for the busses.

Rockford Marching Band Camp 2011

It is almost here!
Rockford Band Camp 2011


This will be our blog to give family and friends a peek into what is happening this year.

There will be more to come so bookmark rockfordbandcamp.blogspot.com and come back daily for our updates.