STUDENTS' LETTERS
From other students (Click on a name to see their letter)
Shelley Eckert
In eighth grade I was shown the finals performance of Plymouth Canton
Education Park the year that they won Grand Nationals. I wish that I
could say that after the video I was inspired to march, but I wasn’t.
To tell the truth I was scared to. I didn’t think I could do it;
memorize ten minutes worth of music, 80 pages of drill, all the hot summer
practices….it just didn’t sound like any fun. So I just let myself
find an excuse not to march. In fact I was very close to ending my
musical career all together. I figured that I would take a semester of
band to fill up the fine arts credit that I needed to graduate and then be
through with it. Then Mr. Harper changed all my plans.
One
day in the middle of band class he asked if anyone would be willing to
become a “prop kid.” They needed six kids to pull out these giant fountains
for the marching band show. I can’t really explain what possessed me to do
it, other than maybe the fact that you got to miss several days of school,
but before I knew it I had signed up and was at my first practice.
I
wont lie; the first practice was weird. Everyone had these things that they
referred to as “dot books” tied around their waist, some guy was wearing a
rainbow colored bandana on his head, and there were mellophone players
wearing gloves even though it was about 150 degrees outside. I sat and
watched in awe, and I began to notice something. They were all having
fun. Despite the extremely hot weather, the running, the playing, the
stretching, everyone was truly having fun. I didn’t understand it.
Then I went to my first competition. All that I had to do was pull a
fountain ten yards, and I had a blast. I cannot describe the rush that
you get just being in front of that many people, all who love you and want
to see you perform. To be so supported is something that I have never
felt in other aspect of my life. It was wonderful, and I was hooked.
Then Grand Nationals came along. Oh my goodness. I can’t describe how
incredible it was. To be in front of forty thousand people who are all
fans, to have a standing ovation in the middle of your show, to complete
something that you have worked so hard on, it was indescribable. I wish I
could compare to something, but I cannot think of anything remotely
similar.
They say that the more you put into something, the more you get out. This
is so true. The next year I marched clarinet and had even more fun. All
the hot practices, long Saturday camps, sectionals, it was all well worth
the effort I put into it. I wish now more than anything that I had marched
my freshman year. Not marching was a huge mistake.
To
a lot of people marching band has a very negative connotation. Let me tell
you, at Kennesaw Mountain to be called a band nerd is an honor. I am a
sophomore and have already performed three different times at the Atlanta
Dome and twice at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Not many people can say
that. The organization that I am a part of has been on national radio and
numerous newspaper articles. To be a part of the Kennesaw Mountain Band
Organization is a once in a lifetime experience. I have a 250-person
family, and millions of memories that I will carry with me for the rest of
my life.
Shelley Eckert
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