Park Hills Competition

The Fort Zumwalt South Marching Bulldogs had a performance in Park Hills, Missouri on Saturday, October 20, 2012.  The weather was great and the band performed brilliantly.

But first, about me!  Bob invited me to ride with him on the truck so I could get a feel for the routine.  It was a good time.  I played the role of navigator even though for the most part we followed someone the whole way.  I would like to say the trip through the grocery store parking lot was not my fault.  We were following Bob (a different Bob) and his GPS took him through the parking lot.  Bob and I playing the role of lemmings followed him closely!

We arrived with plenty of time to unload the truck in the wrong location.  Apparently, since the buses arrived about ten minutes after us the people running the show parked them in an entirely different location than the equipment.  So we had to load up the truck and move it to where the buses were located.  It ended up being a decent location.  Our first one was on a hill and that never makes for a fun time loading and unloading.

I tried to stick with Bob so I could learn as much as I could about what it is that he does to keep things running so smoothly.  I have some big shoes to fill next year.  This was also our first competition with the new sound equipment.  It sounded amazing.  I rode with Bob on the gator and helped with pit instead of props.  It was a new experience.  I think I was doing something wrong because it didn’t feel like near enough work.

For all you parents that shy away from helping with pit you chose poorly!

I’m just kidding, of course.  The speakers are heavy enough they need to be moved into place using dollies.  The amp and sound board were placed on the sound cart so it didn’t have to be muscled out onto the field as it weighs as much as one of the speakers.

The band’s performance, in my humble, but not so professional opinion, in both prelims and finals was amazing.  They took first in class with best visual and best guard during prelims.  Out of the ten bands making finals we won Grand Champion, best visual, best guard, best music and best percussion!  We swept it!  It was awesome!  None of the other parents could remember ever winning everything in finals.  I was so pleased to have the opportunity to be a part of it.  I know Austin was pretty happy.

We were the last band to perform so we didn’t get to load up until after finals results.  We got everything loaded up and we were on the road in short order.  It was about midnight when we arrive at the school and unloaded.

It was a fun competition.  We have a break next week.  Katie and Bob Paul are hosting the Annual Marching Band Bonfire on the 27th.  I expect a good time to be had by all (weather permitting, of course). Then we will be off for our last competition of the year at Mizzou on November 3rd.  It will be the last competition for a lot of parents whose kids are graduating so I hope the weather is nice and we all have a good, safe time!