My Band Geek Weekend
This past weekend was the big event. Folks from as far away as Canada, FL, NC, and TX came in to be a part of the rebirth of the Bridgemen. I guess it really started Thursday night when Heidi and I had sectional rehearsals in Bayonne. Nearly everyone had been going to these additional rehearsals each week (and it really showed,) but I didn’t feel like I could make it out to them with all my prior commitments, and especially w/o a car. However, since Heidi was getting a little nervous about the routine and she had off work Friday, she offered to come pick me up at work and brave the rush hour traffic for the last sectional rehearsal. Practice went well. The color guard, now in full uniform, looked great.
Saturday, we drove back out for another full-day practice. This was a mandatory practice so there were a lot of people. We worked on some rough spots in the music and practiced our parade formations. The weather was amazing. After practice Heidi and I went out to Long Island for a party at her friend Dan’s new house. Of course, there was poker and very little sleep that night.
Sunday we performed for about 500 people at an alumni picnic in Bayonne. This was our first public appearance so we appeared in uniform. I couldn’t really tell how we did. Everyone was praising the band, but since they were all former members, I thought they might just be blowing smoke up our asses. From what I could hear in my section, it was pretty sweet. Heidi and I hung out and enjoyed the picnic, then dropped off one of the instructors off at LGA on the way home.
Monday, we left my apt at around 6:45 AM. We drove back to Bayonne. They took a ton of 40th Anniversary picts (full band, sectionals, orig 1965 members, etc.) The parade was awesome. That’s when I knew how great we sounded. Though Bayonne is pretty small and there wasn’t a big turn out, ABC News was there and the entire crowd kept commenting how happy they were that we were back. They would even sing old songs and do trademark Bridgemen moves at each stop. I can’t tell you how many people said that they wanted to be a part of the band next year. One guy even said, “I already told my wife, I’ll be there next year … or she won’t.”
Now it seems their orig 3 year plan has shifted. Now they plan to continue to rehearse over the next few weeks so they can create a mini corp this summer and compete at DCA. I’d love to be a part, but I really have to finish up school before I can commit anymore time. (I even got up early this morning so that I could do homework - so much for that.)
Heidi’s been great during this whole deal. She was never in marching band or anything, so she had a little anxiety about the whole thing. If I didn’t know better, I would say by the end, she actually enjoyed herself. (Thank you, Heidi.)
All and all, I really had a great time this weekend. I know I am a pathetic band geek. Nonetheless, I finally got to do something that I thought I’d never get to do - be a part of the Bridgemen.
