Last Day - Friday

Well, the theme of the week didn't disappoint by raining again in the morning...this time almost the entire morning. A little bit of rehearsal was squeezed in, in between rain clouds. After looking at radar, it was decided that the kids will pack while it rains before lunch, eat lunch and then head out for some field rehearsal. Unfortunately, it was raining after lunch as well. It is 2:00 now, and it looks like the sun is trying to peek out and the kids are heading out to finally get some (hopefully) substantial practice in. See you all tonight at the show starting at 7:00pm!

Day 5 - Thursday

Rain, rain, go away! More rain this morning changed the schedule again. Instead of rehearsal on the field after breakfast, sectionals were held indoors. Field rehearsal began around 10:30. After lunch, the students had more rehearsal on the field, with a popsicle break in the afternoon. Following dinner, rehearsal was held until 8pm, at which time the kids were released to go get ready for the dance. At 8:45pm, five Berrien County Public School buses picked us up to transport us to the dance location nearby. From 9-11pm, the kids were able to have fun dancing, snacking and playing cards and board games. When we returned, the seniors got together in the lobby for awhile to decorate t-shirts and hang out. Mr. Phillips joined them as well. Lights out for most was around 11:30pm, seniors, around 12:00am.

Day 4 - Wednesday

Rehearsal started today at 8:15 for everyone. It wasn't for long though, because a storm rolled in. During the rain delay, the winds went to a nearby indoor auditorium and worked on the music. Chaperones hung out in the lobby and listened while we planned our skit. We are all in love with the music already and know that you will be too. An hour or so of rehearsal was squeezed in before lunch, and then sectionals were held after lunch. After a popsicle break at 2:30, it was back to the field. Skits were held tonight, with each section performing their prepared skit. Even the chaperones participated. There were lots of laughs! Lights out 11:30pm.

Day 3 - Tuesday

It was starting to rain as we headed out to breakfast at 7:00am. The rain continued until around 10, so the kids went back to their floors/rooms. Some chose to take naps, while others played games. Some of the kids made up their own games, such as, Texas Hold-Em with gummy bears, key races to see who could get in their rooms the fastest, Russian roulette with a nerf gun, trying to hit a target by batting a tennis ball with a plastic bottle, etc. We have creative minds in band! When the rain quit, rehearsal was held until lunch at 12. After lunch, the winds were broken up into sectionals until a much-enjoyed popsicle break for everyone at 2:30. Following that, it was back to rehearsal until dinner. Tonight's dinner was special, especially for the meat-eaters of the group. The chaperones held a cookout for all 295 people here. They do the planning, shopping, and grilling, as well as doing set up and clean up. Choices were hamburgers, cheeseburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs or veggie dogs. Also served were chips, carrots/broccoli and dip, a cookie and pop. It was back to rehearsal after dinner, with the entire band eventually putting it all together...Movement 2 is looking good! Lights out at 11:00pm.

Day 2

Breakfast began at 7:00am and most were in line before that waiting for the doors to be open. There are a variety of foods to choose from at every meal. Breakfast choices include: many kinds of fruit, yogurts, cereal, bagels, toast and a hot choice such as eggs, hash browns, waffles, etc. each day. Lots of drink choices too. Rehearsal began around 8:00am with basic marching exercises for about an hour and a half, followed by winds drill rehearsal until lunch. Colorguard, Drumline and Percussion rehearse in their respective groups. After lunch, the band was broken into sectionals until around 3:30, when the winds came back to the field to work on more drill with their instruments. After dinner, more rehearsal, and eventually the entire band was put together....and by the end of the long, HOT day, Movement 1 is "on the field"...and it looks and sounds so cool already! After rehearsal tonight, the kids were given about an hour to work on their skits for skit night on Wednesday. For skit night, each section is given a chance to perform a skit for the rest of the band. It is a highlight of the week! Lights out 11:00pm.

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BAND CAMP 2012- Day 1

Welcome to Band Camp 2012!

Once our seven buses arrived in Berrien Springs, it was time for our fast food lunch.  Our choices were McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen or Subway.  The best part of lunch?  Watching the local residents' faces as all 269 of us spread out and overwhelmed the restaurants.  After arriving at 1:50pm, we were ready to head to nearby Andrews University at 2:45pm.

Our incredible luggage trailer volunteers had unloaded the luggage, making it easy to find for all of us.  Chaperones then gathered the kids and went inside the air-conditioned dorm.  Rehearsal began around 4:30pm.  By dinnertime at 6:30, there was quite a bit of drill movement happening on the field already!

After our Subway dinner, there was more rehearsal until around 9:30pm.  At that time, the chaperones organized a game of Dragon Tag on the field under the lights.Teams of 12 linked arms and the last one in the line put a handkerchief in their back pocket, hanging out.  Teams had to stay linked and run around, with the first person in the line trying to steal another team's "tail".

Lights out at 11:30pm.

(Pictures soon to follow!)