Last week I had to make a very hard decision that has really broken my heart. I have been involved with colorguard (ok, for those who don't know what that is, it's the people on the field with the marching band waving flags around) since 1995. I did it for 3 years in high school, 1 year at UF (yuck- War Eagle), and have taught ever since. I had a great band director and flag instructor who always encouraged and inspired me. My band director, John Henry, one of the greatest band directors in Florida, passed away in 2005. My memories of him are fond. I remember he alwys wore a straw hat on the marching field and always had a megaphone. He would yell at the guard because we didn't know where we were going on the marching field (which I am convinced is taught to every band director to do this...lol).
My most memorable moment was in concert band. We were playing "On a Hymn Song of Phillip Bliss" ( I think that was the name of it? ). Anyway, we sucked. We were a concert band of 100+ and we were totally messing this song up. Mr Henry stopped us and then told us that this was his favorite hymn (It is Well With my Soul). He then explained how the song was written and why. At this moment I can't remember either, but I have a book that explains it ...I will add that to this post at some point. I think everyone in the band took a step back because he told the story with such conviction. That day, it became my favorite hymn too.
The next year, we marched it on the marching field and it was such an experience. He had the band form a cross and forward march it with the colorguard as rays coming out from the cross. We always got a standing ovation.
After marching my 1 year with UF I came back to Williston to help my flag instructor with choreography. I then took a year off due to pregnancy, but after that I waas ready to go. I took a position with a school about 30 miles away and yes a rival to my alma mater. I learned a lot in the two years I was there. I then received the honor to teach at my alma mater, Williston High School, under the direction of John Henry.
I was there for 2 years. The last 2 years that Mr. Henry was there as well. I remember asking him after one of the contest that we performed in, why we couldn't do a themed show. Marching band styles were beginning to change. His answer: We've always gotten superiors, why fix what's not broken. I said ok and smiled because a typical John Henry show went like this: A spanish opener with a follow the leader, a catchy song that you may recognize- but always standing still, and then a closer that was slow and had a company front. But it worked, you couldn't argue with him.
The last year I was there he came up to me and said we're doing It is Well with my soul for the rest of the season. Ok, as an instructor you are like WHAT!!!!! I have to rechoreograph and reteach to 20 girls a whole new song! But I smiled because I knew it was his favorite and it was mine too. I also think he knew that soemthing was wrong with him physically, he had been sick. So we changed songs and I get goose bumps thinking about it. I am so glad that he got to do that song one last time and I helped.
So, then I move to SC and Mr. Henry has been diagnosed with cancer. I cried. My mentor and my teacher had just received a life sentence. It was spreading and was bad. He finaly passed away not too much longer after I received word. At his funeral, the band played "It is Well with my Soul".
I took some time to reflect upon my guard status. I didn't know any of the directors and the one director I knew had his wife handling the guard. Then one day a band parent told me that he had quit and a new band director was there. I immediately called her and set up a meeting. I loved those 7 kids from the time I said hello. The band director reminded me a lot of Mr. henry, but was more open to chnage. I was totally excited. We literally started with nothing. Maybe 13 horns, a percussion line and 7 guard members. But I was so proud of that entire band. I was also sad at the same time, because they told me they had never received a standing ovation. We did great that year in both marching ( and they did recieve a standing ovation ) and Winterguard. The next year I came on board again, except, I was preoccupied with the divorce and changing jobs and moving. It was crazy, but My 7 went to 16. And the band grew up too. We had to take 2 busses to away games!
I love my students and the band students. They are all so special because they are so talented. Every time I watched them perform, I was blown away. My best memories are with guard. Guard to me is a family. I was always the mother and they were sisters and brother. I lived for that band becuase I was there from the beginning and saw where we came from. It's only going to get better too.
But, due to my financial constraints, I had to back out of winterguard this year. I was so excited about it. I practically had the show written in my head, but I couldn't afford the gas to get there and home so I had to quit. I am totally broken hearted and feel like I let a lot of people down, mostly my students and band director. I am hoping that by marching season, things wil have changed and my situation will be much better. Enough for them to accept me again and give me another chance.
As I have posted before, God closes some doors for a reason. I just hope this is one he reopens.
Thank you John Henry, Sharon Holcomb, and Leslie Phillips for the impact that you have had on my life. You will never know how much you have meant.
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