All week, you’ve heard about how you’re now apart of something.
Well- there’s no turning back- because you are.
You’re a part of something bigger than you could imagine.
Bigger than self. Even bigger than Bill Nevin’s voice: “www", "Chriiiiiiistopher Nichter", & "And now, from the College of Creative Arts..”
You’re a part of something that can really get your blood pumping. Even if it is at the tempo of 220 beats per minute, or faster, depending on how the drumline is feeling that day..
You get to now wear the uniform that stands for Mountaineer Pride. That thing will be hot when it’s hot, cold when it’s cold, and wet when it’s wet- but it means Pride.
You get to have more field time than some of the football players. Soak in every second you get on that field. Embrace every turf turd that falls into your shoes and makes its home there; every time you get to march on the WV; every time you get to watch the Mountaineer shoot his musket right in front of you; every time the football team runs by and get's pumped because of this Band.
You get to travel, and make some of the fondest memories that you’ll ever have. You won’t have any fun on the buses, though. Nope. No fun at all. Staff sees to that. But, the miles you’ll put on. The fans that WILL break rank- no matter How many times a tub,a trombone, or scared little twirler says they can’t, the crazies that run onto a Marshall field and turn the game around, the rain, so much rain, and the respect from the unexpected- the other teams fans. They will see our Pride. They recognize it. And they know that we have more of it than them.
You’re a part of something that only so few get to experience. You’ve got the upper hand. You get to stand on the inside of the circles, and watch outwardly. You get to see the crowd rise and cheer when you slip into the state formation. You get to march with a famous Drumline. Meet them. They're great people. Crazier. But great.
The family you’ll have while you’re here, and when you leave. It’s probably going to be about ten times the size of the one you have right now. Take that from a socializing Pro. Your best friends WILL come out of this band. You think that you’re weird, or unique. There’s at least one more of someone so much like you in this room. Find them by the end of your four years with this band. I dare you. You will, and you might end up being a part of their life for the rest of yours. If you can sort through the faces, that is. You’ll see a new one everyday.
The feeling of performance. Trust me, you’re going to have to pee- that very first time you sprint onto that field, avoiding falling tubas, trumpets, piccolos, avoiding in-your-face-during-College-Game-Day-cameramen, and cords. Watch out for the cords. And grab your cape. One, two, ready, Go. The amount of gold, and the lack of breath is beautiful.
Nothing beats that feeling. Performing with the Pride. It makes everything worth it. Sacrifice, time, sickness, dehydration, the weather, sweat, tears. Everything. After the first few times you do it, the appeal kinda wears off. But when it’s for the last time- it begins to mean something. Every performance isn’t half effort. Even the Demo shows become more of an honor than a task. Every time you sing the Alma Mater, it begins to sink in- what you’re singing for. Whether you have to start it over three times in a row because you aren’t properly articulating Wes”t”, or whether it’s your last time singing it in the Mountaineer Stadium embraced arm in arm with your best friends after swaying and crying all the way through Country Roads. Almost Heaven, indeedy.
Whether you end up a statistic of this band, a story, or a staple- you’ve entered into a new musical realm. One that can hardly be explained by words- but easily by experience. Take what you have been given, as a simple gift. Proudly take it, and make it all that you can- Whether it’s your first, fourth, or 30th... &, um, Welcome, to the Pride of WV.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
You get to travel, and make some of the fondest memories that you’ll ever have. You won’t have any fun on the buses, though. Nope. No fun at all. Staff sees to that. But, the miles you’ll put on. The fans that WILL break rank- no matter How many times a tub,a trombone, or scared little twirler says they can’t, the crazies that run onto a Marshall field and turn the game around, the rain, so much rain, and the respect from the unexpected- the other teams fans. They will see our Pride. They recognize it. And they know that we have more of it than them.
You’re a part of something that only so few get to experience. You’ve got the upper hand. You get to stand on the inside of the circles, and watch outwardly. You get to see the crowd rise and cheer when you slip into the state formation. You get to march with a famous Drumline. Meet them. They're great people. Crazier. But great.
The family you’ll have while you’re here, and when you leave. It’s probably going to be about ten times the size of the one you have right now. Take that from a socializing Pro. Your best friends WILL come out of this band. You think that you’re weird, or unique. There’s at least one more of someone so much like you in this room. Find them by the end of your four years with this band. I dare you. You will, and you might end up being a part of their life for the rest of yours. If you can sort through the faces, that is. You’ll see a new one everyday.
The feeling of performance. Trust me, you’re going to have to pee- that very first time you sprint onto that field, avoiding falling tubas, trumpets, piccolos, avoiding in-your-face-during-College-Game-Day-cameramen, and cords. Watch out for the cords. And grab your cape. One, two, ready, Go. The amount of gold, and the lack of breath is beautiful.
Nothing beats that feeling. Performing with the Pride. It makes everything worth it. Sacrifice, time, sickness, dehydration, the weather, sweat, tears. Everything. After the first few times you do it, the appeal kinda wears off. But when it’s for the last time- it begins to mean something. Every performance isn’t half effort. Even the Demo shows become more of an honor than a task. Every time you sing the Alma Mater, it begins to sink in- what you’re singing for. Whether you have to start it over three times in a row because you aren’t properly articulating Wes”t”, or whether it’s your last time singing it in the Mountaineer Stadium embraced arm in arm with your best friends after swaying and crying all the way through Country Roads. Almost Heaven, indeedy.
Whether you end up a statistic of this band, a story, or a staple- you’ve entered into a new musical realm. One that can hardly be explained by words- but easily by experience. Take what you have been given, as a simple gift. Proudly take it, and make it all that you can- Whether it’s your first, fourth, or 30th... &, um, Welcome, to the Pride of WV.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
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